Sapphire Fleet Services is the Derbyshire-based group’s newest brand. “For many companies, owning and operating a fleet is not their core business,” explains Sapphire’s head of fleet services, Paul West.
“Those who make or build products need to get their goods to their customers, for example – but their expertise tends to be in manufacturing not distribution. By allowing Sapphire Fleet Services to take over the management of their entire delivery operation, they can rest easy in the knowledge that not only are their vehicles being deployed with optimum efficiency and safety, they are also guaranteed to be legally compliant.”
The idea for a fleet management service came about after Sapphire was approached by one of its existing customers – which runs a line-up of trucks to provide traffic management and other services to utility contractors.
“We were already looking after the repair and maintenance of the vehicles, but the customer asked whether we would consider taking over management of its fleet,” says Paul. “With our expertise, experience and national network of facilities, it was clear we were ideally positioned to offer a high-quality, cost-effective and hassle-free solution not just to this business but to others too.”
Sapphire Fleet Services can take over responsibility for maintaining trucks or vans of any size, configuration or brand, including all service planning and MOT scheduling, vehicle inspections and DVSA tests, as well as looking after account management, reporting of key performance indicators, road fund licence renewals, and even taking on existing drivers and support staff via TUPE – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) – regulations.
Through its parent company, Northern Ireland-based Ballyvesey Holdings, Sapphire can also provide customers with vehicles on contract hire, lease or spot rental, as well as vehicle disposal services.
Sapphire Vehicle Services operates 19 vehicle maintenance units across Britain.