The Appleyard name will disappear by the end of the year, as ING Car Lease continues its integration of the two businesses.

ING bought Leeds-based Appleyard Vehicle Contracts last summer, the acquisition boosting ING’s fleet to 43,598 and a number nine position in the Fleet News FN50.

But fleet managers with Appleyard contract agreements should not worry about the loss of the Appleyard nameplate, said ING Car Lease managing director, Ian Tilbrook.

Instead they can look forward to products that, until now, they have not been able to access. These include ING’s Risk Assist risk management programme, collision damage waiver product ING Protect, and a full accident management service.

Tilbrook said all Appleyard staff were retained which means customers will have the same level of service as before.

He said the ING/Appleyard integration process began at the start of the year. This has included the creation of a common IT structure, and an enhanced online customer portal. There is also a common board of directors.

“Although the Appleyard name will disappear by the end of the year, full integration might not necessarily be completed by then,” said Tilbrook.

“There’s no set date for it we have to meet.”