The West Midlands-based operator has operated a part-card, part-bunker strategy for several years, but decided cards would provide the best solution with its sites expanding from eight to 12 this year.
"Tanks were increasingly becoming a more costly option and it also meant we were limiting ourselves to just one fuel supply," explains Andy Webb (pictured), director of production for EH Smith.
"We operate 12 sites across the UK, each with tanks holding anywhere between 15-30,000 litres of fuel. It meant we were sitting on capital too, so removing them freed it up and meant we could be more accurate with our spending and our monitoring of the fuel we were using. The removal of the larger 30,000-litre tanks has also proved useful, freeing up valuable space in the yard."
The range of service from Keyfuels clinched the deal, he adds. "A key feature for us was the fact that the card allowed us access to Tesco petrol stations, which opened up opportunities for our vehicle fleet, and ultimately helped us commit to the move."
EH Smith now buys 17,000 litres of fuel from Keyfuels' virtual bunder. It has a tighter rein on fuel spend and no longer has the security and safety concerns of on-site fuel tanks.
Use is monitored and tied in with vehicle telematics, with Keyfuels providing daily stock reports by email to EH Smith.