A LIST of the top 10 tips when looking for a fleet management company has been compiled by Leasedrive Group.

The vehicle management group put together the list after analysing 75 tender documents received over a two-year period.

Commercial director Roddy Graham said: ‘In the past two years, we have been involved in a variety of interesting tender processes. Many have been comprehensive in nature but some have not always been as thorough as one might expect.

‘We have identified 10 factors that every prospect should satisfy themselves on before appointing a fleet management company.’

  • Flexibility: Every supplier should be capable of providing a bespoke service.
  • Innovation: Suppliers need to demonstrate how they are different from the competition. An innovative approach shows they are concentrating on delivering unique benefits.
  • Customer service: Customers should be satisfied they will receive the level of service they expect. Look for promises that will add value.
  • Good systems: Watch out for providers which may have ageing systems. These are often difficult to integrate.
  • Understanding and answering the brief: Only by understanding a fleet’s business can a supplier deliver the best solution. Dismiss any tender that does not answer the brief precisely.
  • Mature account management: Customers should satisfy themselves that the person responsible for the account is competent and experienced.
  • Tailored reporting: Regular reports should be tailored to requirements so that they can make the most informed management decisions.
  • Transparency: An open-book approach to pricing will inspire confidence between the parties and should guarantee a head-start in creating a successful fleet partnership.
  • Supplier relationships: It is not only the supplier/client partnership that counts but the types of relationship the fleet management company enjoys with its own service departments, tyre suppliers, and so on.
  • Industry recognition: Consider appointing a supplier recognised within the industry for providing excellent products and service.