SPECIALIST vehicle marketing services supplier Keddy Services has joined with American original equipment manufacturer Qual-Effic Services to create the largest OEM business in the world. The combined business, launched on Wednesday, is known as QEK Global Solutions (QEK) and has more than 1,700 employees in 51 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Australasia.

The managing board of QEK will consist of Sam Cupp, chairman; Keddy managing director David Gibson, European CEO; Kerry Budry, Americas CEO; and Arthur Hall, chief financial officer. Gibson, who established Keddy - now owned by ABN AMRO Lease Holding - in 1991, said: 'This merger enables us to compete more effectively within the markets we serve and reach new markets quicker. More than anything, this is a client-driven initiative.'