LOMBARD has today announced the launch of its new Van Sales Unit, providing customers with the UK's first ever single access point for all areas of van sourcing, financing and customisation.

The new service is designed to reduce traditional order waiting times by up to five days, offering customers significant cost savings by fulfilling all areas of commercial van sales, including customisation, build and vehicle signage requirements through in-house expertise.

Backed by a 28-strong team of sales and preparation experts, Lombard's new unit provides customers with immediate pricing on over 2,000 make, model and build packages, with a dedicated team of technical build experts offering advice on a wide range of design and build options.

As part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Lombard is backed by a £13 million vehicle preparation, customisation and distribution centre unique to the industry. During 2004 the facility prepared 1,500 light commercial vehicles for RBS Group customers and Lombard anticipates growing this number significantly following the launch of the Unit.

Matt Dale, general Mmanager of Lombard's Van Sales Unit, said: 'Commercial customers buying their vans through traditional routes have to juggle the design, build and branding of their vehicles with separate contractors, often causing logistical headaches and time delays. Through our ability to convert vehicles on site we're not only able to guarantee consistent, high quality standards but can offer important, impartial advice on the products and equipment available. This also means when the customer's vehicle is delivered to them, it is ready to start work straight away.'

Lombard currently manages 20,000 vans on its fleet.