SCHERING-Plough, the pharmaceutical company, is taking delivery of more than 100 vehicles in the first phase of fleet expansion plans for this year. The Welwyn Garden City-based company has purchased outright 56 Volvos - S40s and V40s - and 68 BMWs - including the 3- and 5-series - taking the total car fleet up to 412 vehicles.

The cars will be used by existing staff and new staff as the company expands to meet the demands brought on by a range of new products. These expansion plans are expected to take the total fleet size to more than 500 by the summer.