FLEETS must look past the price tag and check the quality of service when choosing a contract hire supplier. Leasing companies are encouraging higher standards among their service suppliers with awards for the best performers each year and say this should be recognised by fleets.

Associates Fleet Services has been running an awards ceremony for four years and this year gave accolades to Holdcroft Motor Group and AA Business Services. Holdcroft, based in Stoke-on-Trent, scooped top prize in the dealer category, while AA took top place in the service

section. Associates Fleet Services operations director Mark O'Callaghan said the awards were bringing unprecedented service standards and that fleet customers had to consider that when looking at the leasing rates provided throughout the industry.

He said fleet managers needed to look past the price and consider the standard of service they will receive not only from the contract hire firm, but also from its suppliers. He added: 'The first experience a client gets of your service levels is normally from a supplier delivering a car, so you need to make sure that they live up to expectations.'