A FIRM specialising in hi-tech closed circuit television cameras has slashed £50,000 from its costs following a review of its operations.

ID Group, specialists in the supply of highly technical digital surveillance equipment based in Oldham, Lancashire, runs about 80 cars and vans but had six contract hire suppliers on its books.

It was also spending £50,000 a year on car hire on top of its six-figure leasing bill because drivers were booking vehicles in for servicing and ordering hire cars as temporary replacements.

ID Group worked with Paul Brown, of the Fleet Alliance, to bring fleet costs under control. New leases now include a phone number where servicing, tyre repair or replacement can be arranged along with a courtesy car, removing the need for hire charges. Working with ID Group worldwide purchasing, logistics and distribution manager Steve Doxey, Brown slashed the number of incoming calls to the purchasing department relating to fleet issues.

Doxey said: 'The fleet was in a bit of a mess when I took it over. But with a lot of hard work combined with Paul Brown's skill, expertise and input it is now back in order. Car hire costs have come down dramatically.'