THE Fleet News Awards will mark the culmination of months of work to pick out the best fleet operators, service companies and manufacturers of the past year. For this year’s ceremony, there have been a series of improvements.
In the first of a series of in-depth features, John Maslen, Fleet News editor, looks at two of the key awards categories offered this year – the Fleet Manager of the Year and top Service Company Awards.
EVERY year, more than 1,000 people gather at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane for the unveiling of the annual Fleet News Awards.
The awards are a celebration of excellence and best practice in one of the most demanding and dynamic markets in the world.
They also present a great challenge to those who enter because, to ensure that the judging process is completely impartial and the most in-depth in the industry, Fleet News invests an immense amount of time and expertise in the process.
Each year, we bring together an expert panel of judges, who between them offer knowledge and experience covering every aspect of the fleet industry.
The panel members, including fleet managers, residual value experts, consultants and suppliers, consider entries as if they were comparing rival products and companies to use on their fleets.
Comments are invited from each member of the group on each entry before the list of short-listed entries is finally reduced to companies and vehicles that are either ‘highly-commended’ or given the coveted win in each category.
During the judging process, an independent auditor will sit in on the proceedings, checking that all entries receive a full hearing and that the final decision is fair and justified.
To allow competitors to be even more involved in the process, for the 2005 awards, a web-cam will be set up at the judging location. It will be accessible on Fleet NewsNet and will give uninterrupted coverage of the judging process.
We have also given the awards a whole new look as part of our commitment to constantly updating the evening, which will take place on March 16, 2005 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London. Here we explain the fleet manager categories for the awards – in each case giving an insight into what the judges are looking for – and we launch the service company awards.
We have sent invites to all companies that qualify for each category, along with a detailed questionnaire for them to answer.
Companies which have not received an entry form can request one by emailing fleetnewsawards@emap.com.
10 CHANGES FOR THE FLEET NEWS AWARDS IN 2005
Fleet Manager Awards
Fleet Risk Management Award
Who can enter? Any employee with responsibility for safety covering drivers in cars or vans, either company owned or privately-owned and used on business.
What are the judges looking for?
Clear evidence of an accident record reduced or kept low by consistent risk management practices. Innovation and ability to manage difficult situations a key advantage. Case studies of accident record, claims history and initiatives needed.
Sponsored by Kwik-Fit Fleet
Fleet Manager of the Year: sub-100 vehicles
Who can enter? Anyone running less than 100 cars or vans in the UK. Any job title, but must have decision-making power on fleet matters.
What are the judges looking for?
Effective cost control using standard fleet management practice, innovation, interest in training and improvement, commitment to making a difference, knowledge of risk management debate. Understanding of key facts about the fleet.
Sponsored by Northgate Plc
Fleet Manager of the Year: 101-400 vehicles
Who can enter? Anyone running between 101 and 400 cars or vans in the UK. Any job title, must spend the majority of their time running the fleet. Must have decision-making power on fleet matters.
What are the judges looking for?
Understanding of all aspects of fleet management. Clear awareness of legislation. Commitment to training, including staff. Innovation. Clear plan for cost control. Good examples of best practice, including gaining support and authority within the company. Clear knowledge of most factors relating to the fleet.
Sponsored by BMW
Fleet Manager of the Year: 401-plus vehicles
Who can enter? Anyone running between 401 and an unlimited number of vehicles in the UK. Must spend the majority of time running their fleet or have dedicated team to help.
What are the judges looking for?
This covers some of Britain’s biggest fleets, with many vehicles offered as perk cars. With such large volumes the smallest error can cost thousands of pounds. A strict adherence to excellence is vital in this sector if fleets are to support a company’s efficiency. Understanding of issues relating to company cars and vans. Evidence of ability to influence decision-makers in the boardroom, with confidence to create and push through new policies. Commitment to training or improvement, with clear examples of best practice and innovation, covering all aspects of fleet, including cash for car drivers. Knowledge of all headline factors relating to the fleet operation.
Sponsored by BT Fleet
UK Fleet of the Year
Who can enter? Any fleet in the UK
What are the judges looking for?
A fleet which has implemented strong and clear initiatives during the year, showing a clear understanding of the key issues faced now and in the future. An operation that can be held up to the industry as a best practice way to run company cars or vans. Must have initiatives in all key areas, including driver safety and the environment.
Sponsored by Avis
Pan-European Fleet Manager of the Year (In association with Fleet News Europe)
Who can enter? Any fleet with a significant presence in more than one European country, but mainly controlled by a single department.
What are the judges looking for?
Entrants need to explain how they have led an international approach to fleet policy to optimise fleet efficiency on a pan-European basis. Includes managing safety on a cross-border level and offering a clear choice list, despite potential demands for change from different countries.
Sponsored by Volkswagen
Service Company Awards
Best Website Award (In association with Fleet NewsNet)
Who can enter? Any service company offering a website-based product available directly to an end-user fleet decision-maker.
What are the judges looking for?
A web-based facility of use to the greatest number of fleets, or offering the greatest value to a specific sector of the market, including business vehicle drivers. Speed, design, navigation, links, housekeeping, compatibility and contact details will important factors.
Best Contract Hire/Fleet Management Company
Who can enter? Any company offering contract hire, fleet management and related services as part of a vehicle funding package to end-user fleet operators.
What are the judges looking for?
Product range, both off-the-shelf and tailored. Cost-effectiveness, standard of client management information, internet-based services, support for fleet customers and their company car drivers. Fleet manager feedback. Evidence of excellence in customer support.
Sponsored by Toyota
Best Daily Rental Company
Who can enter? Any company offering daily or mid-term rental directed at end-user fleet operators.
What are the judges looking for?
Competitive pricing, flexibility and range of services. Good number of products, internet-based services available for customers, wide range of quality vehicles, quality information delivered to fleets for management control. Strong examples of customer service.
Best Risk Management Company
Who can enter? Either a specialist risk management company or a company that offers risk management services as part of a wider product package.
What are the judges looking for?
A company which offers effective and sensible risk management advice, if necessary with related services that are relevant to safety issues facing fleet operators. Innovation and ability to see the risk management process through from beginning to end will be an advantage, along with case studies of successful implementations of the service.
Sponsored by Northgate Plc
Best Disposal/ Remarketing Company
Who can enter? Companies which remarket vehicles on behalf of fleet customers, either through auction or a variety of other channels.
What are the judges looking for?
A creative, committed and professional remarketing approach that offers clear benefits in terms of improved optimum resale values. Provision of wide range of additional services, including preparation, repairs and web-based services.
Best Breakdown Company
Who can enter? Roadside rescue and recovery companies offering services directly to end-user fleet operators.
What are the judges looking for?
Good levels of service both to fleet customers and their drivers. Success in getting vehicles moving again at the roadside. Speedy response to call-outs and range of additional services that have a fleet specific focus.
Sponsored by Enterprise rent-a-car
Best Glass Repair/Replacement Company
Who can enter? Any company involved in the repair and replacement of glass to end user fleets.
What are the judges looking for?
Quick response times, effectiveness of repair rather than replacement. Wide coverage, including mobile units. Effective use of technology to speed up response. Good management of the authorisation and invoicing process.
Best Fast-Fit Company
Who can enter? Any company offering fast-fit services to fleet car and van drivers, offering a wide range of while-you-wait products.
What are the judges looking for?
Wide range of services offered to a high quality, including online developments. Fast authorisation processes and good invoice accuracy. Commitment to staff training and offering convenient locations for drivers using either mobile or branch service. Overall excellence of service delivery. Wide range of products, services on offer.
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