ONE of the UK’s largest contract hire fleets made a technological leap after agreeing to use an e-procurement system.

Up until last month, LeasePlan, which runs a 130,000-strong fleet (listed second in the FN50 list of top contract hire companies), used manual methods such as telephone and fax.

However, following a competitive tender process, the group has opted to move online with Leaselink in a bid to slash costs and improve efficiency by electron-ically sourcing vehicles.

Steve West, head of purchasing at LeasePlan, said: ‘Leaselink gives us the functionality that we are looking for, as well as bringing considerable cost, efficiency and customer service benefits.

‘It will undoubtedly help us speed up the vehicle sourcing process, improve service levels for our customers, and manage performance standards more effectively.’

LeasePlan will use the Leaselink e-procurement system from Ebbon-Dacs to source vehicles from 200 dealers across the country.