Demand for winter tyres from commercial vehicle fleets - as well as company car fleets - is on the increase and Kwik-Fit’s comprehensive service has been recognised as the best in the industry.

Kwik-Fit Fleet launched its winter tyre programme for the first time last year and has repeated the initiative again in 2011/12, which includes offering corporate customers a ‘hotel’ facility to store their summer tyres when the weather is at its severest.

Now, alongside its comprehensive occupational road risk management services, which include tyre safety checks and vehicle health checks, Kwik-Fit Fleet has won the Van Fleet Safety Award in the annual awards from leading industry publication Fleet Van.

The Fleet Van awards were judged by a panel of experts chaired by Stephen Briers, the publication’s editor-in-chief, and composed of Fleet Van editor Trevor Gelken as well industry professionals.

In presenting the award to Kwik-Fit Fleet, Mr Briers said: “The use of winter tyres has been in the spotlight of late, but it was Kwik-Fit Fleet which was in the game first, offering fleet operators an option that can not only help keep vehicles on the roads in winter but can also save lives too. A worthy winner, the judges felt.”

The award comes at a time when Kwik-Fit, which is owned by Itochu Corporation, is making further investment to further improving its offering to light commercial vehicle fleets.

During 2011, it has seen LCV servicing and MoT work increase a staggering 40% on last year, demand for LCV tyre sales increase 20% year-on-year and van brake repair and replacement work rise more than 25%.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: “No other fast-fit company has the network coverage or offers such a comprehensive range of services that Kwik-Fit Fleet has available to operators of light commercial vehicles.

“We are delighted that the Safety Award recognises not only Kwik-Fit Fleet’s winter tyre programme but also our range of risk management services that are designed to keep vehicles on the road and aid corporate legislative compliance. Kwik-Fit Fleet’s ethos is based on delivering a menu of easily accessible car and LCV-based services at a reasonable price accompanied by first-class customer service.”