• Masterlease comments on the pre-budget report - Oct. '07
• Licenced not to kill - Aug. '07
• Food for thought - biofuel comment - Jul. '07
• Low emission plans wide of the mark - May '07

• Call to tackle downtime - May '07

• Everybody's fuel - Biofuel comment May '07
• Park Strife - parking training for drivers - April '07
• Ensuring Continuity - business continuity release - April '07
• Masterlease launches FAGNAV™ - 1st April 2007
• Budget Comment - Mar. '07
• Everybody leaves empty-handed - Feb. '07
• Hot convertibles - Jan. '07
• Beware of poor carbon copies - Jan. 2007
• Speed limiter legislation - Dec. '06

Call to tackle downtime - May '07

Off-the-road vehicles could cost industry millions, Masterlease warns

A fleet management company has vowed to go the extra mile as it minimises the time its vehicles spend off the road.

Masterlease has launched a new hi-tech Downtime Management service, which uses the internet and text messaging to help ensure vehicles are back on the road as quickly as possible.

According to Masterlease, UK fleet operators – particularly those running LCVs – could lose thousands of pounds of business each year if their vehicles are off the road for longer than necessary. As part of its new service, Masterlease makes on average six calls for each vehicle to suppliers and drivers  to make sure the work is completed on time.

The new system is not only quicker but also much easier for employers and drivers to deal with – it typically reduces the number of jobs which extend over one day by 14 per cent. Drivers can also keep track of their vehicle’s progress via an online tool allowing them to make plans to allow for any potential delays.

Andrew Dawson, marketing manager at Masterlease, said: “It is impossible to put an exact value on vehicle downtime but it is inevitable that everyone will be affected by it at some stage as vehicles must be maintained and kept in peak condition. For some, vehicle downtime represents annoyance and inconvenience, but for others their entire business will effectively be on the ramps along with the vehicle.

“Our new system is aimed at removing as much of that inconvenience as possible and ensuring that, wherever possible, we can get a vehicle back on the road within a day.

“It is based around making sure that information reaches all parties almost instantly – the driver is kept updated of progress while Masterlease HQ will be informed of particular delays with problem vehicles – if we need to go the extra mile to ensure a quick vehicle turnaround, then we can do so. 

“Masterlease has always strived to keep downtime to a minimum and now we are in a position to make the most of technology that everyone has at their fingertips – the internet and mobiles.”

Ends

 For further details please contact Beth Heaney at IAS SMARTS on 0121 456 3199 or email: beth.heaney@iassmarts.co.uk