Wales and West Utilities has awarded Zenith a three-year contract to provide commercial fleet management services.

The deal includes the maintenance and repair of the utility company’s 2,370-strong commercial fleet, which consists of specialist HGVs and trailers, LCVs and plant vehicles, operating across the south-west of England and Wales.

Rob Long, chief operating officer at Wales and West Utilities, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Zenith who have offered us a comprehensive package to meet the needs and demands of our commercial fleet.

“As well as offering the highest level of customer service, we are confident Zenith will help us reduce costs and emissions while maximising compliance and vehicle availability.

“Added to that, they have a repair network which matches the scale and breadth of our own operations, minimising downtime of our fleet.”

Commercial fleet management services were previously provided to Wales and West Utilities by Rivus.

“We’ve been impressed by the Zenith team so far,” continued. “Their flexibility and ability to move at pace, partnered with their professionalism and knowledge, has resulted in efficient implementation.

“We look forward to a very successful working relationship.”

Serving a population of 7.5 million people, Wales and West Utilities delivers gas supply through its network of pipes.

The company’s 1,300 strong front-line team are out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, upgrading the network, connecting new homes and businesses and responding to gas emergencies.

Martin Jenkins, CEO of Zenith’s commercial division, said: “Ensuring customers get the support they need, when they need it, is the ultimate priority for Wales and West Utilities.

“Having a compliant, well maintained, and managed fleet is critical to its ability to deliver this essential service, so we’re delighted to have been selected as their strategic partner, enabling and supporting them operate a fleet they can rely on.

“We’ve invested heavily in the breadth and depth of our team over the last few years knowing we were in for a period of sustained growth.

“Our knowledgeable and friendly in-house fleet services team are available to help all day, every day, and provide a rapid and expert response to all maintenance and fleet related matters, which means we can offer the highest levels of fleet availability and performance.”

Complementary to its own direct service delivery model, Zenith also manage a diverse and scaled third-party repair network, providing local maintenance services, managed centrally by Zenith Commercial.