COMPUTER supplier Research Machines (RM) has awarded a contract to operate its 400-vehicle fleet to Fleetlease, as part of major outsourcing programme.

An external fleet manager based at Fleetlease's head office will manage the operation, which has been implemented as part of RM's cost-cutting regime. Murray Symes, commercial manager at RM, said: 'We spoke to 10 fleet providers, which we then reduced to five for formal tender. After reviewing each proposal, Fleetlease came out on top.

The appointment is part of a larger project within RM to reduce costs and outsource non-core activity.'