Welcome to the June edition of our newsletter, included in this month’s update:
- First vehicles delivered to Karbon Homes
- Westward chooses Days Fleet
- Welcome, Sarah!
- Alistair completes charity challenge
- Behind the Wheel – Skoda Superb
- Meet the Team – Nicki Simpson
First vehicles delivered to Karbon Homes
Days Fleet are delighted to have recently delivered the first batch of vehicles to a new client – Karbon Homes.
Following an extensive tender process via ‘The Procurement Partnership Ltd’ Karbon Homes, based in Newcastle, appointed Days Fleet as their preferred lease provider at the end of 2020.
Karbon selected various Ford Transit and Transit Custom models for their fleet, some of which include conversions. Days Fleet worked closely with Karbon Homes during the order and delivery process and Karen Lawson, Fleet Manager said: “We are pleased to have selected Days Fleet for our new vehicle fleet and have been impressed by their advice and support throughout.”
Mark Thomas, Business Development Manager for Days Fleet said: “The implementation process has been consultative from the start, with many stakeholders involved. the supplying dealer group Lookers worked with the client on the final specification of the vehicles and Days Fleet have included telematics and a camera solution within the rentals for the fleet of vehicles.
“Karbon Homes and Days Fleet enjoy good lines of communication with regular calls for updates occurring ensuring a continuation of the strong relationship already formed”.
Westward chooses Days Fleet
Westward Energy Services Ltd have been a client of Days Fleet since 2014 and we now fund 43 vehicles for them, mostly commercial vehicles with a handful of company cars. The fleet has grown steadily after a decision to move from a large national leasing company to Days Fleet due to the high level of personalised service we are able to offer.
Andrew Robinson, Managing Director of Westward said: “We are extremely pleased to have chosen Days Fleet for the funding and management of our fleet. The service we receive is excellent and we have a great relationship with the team there.”
Westward have been in operation since the early 1990s and is a family-owned business which has grown gradually through ‘Home Care’ business with private households preferring to use a local company to look after their boilers and central heating, but also through successful tendering of Housing Associations. Some of their recent successes include winning a commercial tender for maintaining properties across South Wales and a large County Council contract looking after 5,000 homes.
James Duke, Business Development Manager, who manages the accounts said: “It has been great seeing Westward Energy’s Fleet grow in size, and lately taking into account demand for commercial vehicle supply in this current climate, it has meant working closely with Andrew and being creative with the procurement of suitable and reliable alternatives whilst consistently maintaining the budget position.”
Welcome, Sarah!
We’d like to introduce Sarah Jones who has joined Days Fleet in the role of Accounts Clerk, Sarah joins us having worked in a finance role within the Days Motor Group for over a decade.
Meanwhile, Kelsey Allen has moved from our Client Services department to join the Client Support Team, where she will be assisting clients with their ongoing account management.
Alistair completes charity challenge
Our Business Development Manager and Manager of Days Personal Choice, Alistair Murray recently took part in the ‘100 miles for May’ challenge which was held to raise much-needed funds for lifesaving research and support services towards Prostate Cancer UK’s efforts to help men around the UK affected by the disease. Over 6400 riders took part raising over £1.24million which goes direct to the charity.
As well as finding a new hobby that he really enjoys, Alistair clocked up an impressive 108.7 miles on his bike and smashed his £500 fundraising target by raising £800 (so far!). Well done, Alistair!
Behind the Wheel – Skoda Superb
This month’s test drive saw Business Development Manager, James Duke give an assessment of the Skoda Superb SEL PHEV.
This car was packed with standard features, just to name some of the more desirable items that I constantly find customers requesting, such as; leather interior with split-folding rear seats, satellite navigation, dual-zone electronic climate control, cruise control, privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, DAB radio, smartphone integration, electrically operated boot release, automatic lights & wipers and 18” alloys, the list goes on. There was even an umbrella located in the door!
The CO2 was an impressive 25gms/km and with the EV range capable of covering 38 miles, this car was boasting an 11% tax bracket (based on car registered after 04/2021) meaning a 20% tax paying driver this year would pay as little as £69 a month, that’s how much I was paying for a Ford Fiesta in 1999.
The colour of the demonstrator vehicle was Quartz Grey, this metallic paint works out at an extra £13.75 a month on a three-year lease. The only standard solid colour available is energy blue, you may wish to consider adding metallic in your lease cost.
The DSG gearbox is one of the best and smoothest in the car market, bolted to the 1395cc / 218 PS hybrid engine, this car does not leave you wanting any further horses when you need to put your foot down.
Comfort was excellent, wide leather seats, a well laid out dashboard, more than ample legroom front and rear. How they managed to create such a large boot is applaudable.
With factory lead times at 14 weeks, this is certainly excellent in terms of availability in the current climate.
Overall, I score this car highly in practicality, availability, BIK costs comfort, and specification.
Meet the Team – Nicki Simpson
1. What is your role within Days Fleet?
My role within Days Fleet is ‘Business Support Manager’. I look after a small team which includes Daniel Davies and Kai Green who do an amazing job. Our main duties are but not limited to, inputting dealer & manufacturer support terms into the Key2 system accurately for our Client Support Team to produce quotations for our clients. We also manage the initial vehicle ordering process by sending vehicle orders to suppliers via our integrated LeaseLink system and ensure the pricing is correct before pushing the button to order the vehicles with the supplier.
We are the team that also helps all other departments with any system process issues. Days Fleet is all about team effort and there is no ‘i’ in Days Fleet.
2. What do you enjoy most about your role with Days Fleet?
I would have to say that every day is different from the next. I like the challenge that it brings and creating ways to make those challenges easier for others.
After nearly 21 years with the company, I still get days where I am learning new tricks. It keeps me on my toes I guess, and it keeps me motivated.
I would have to say that working with my colleagues at Days Fleet also helps me enjoy my role since there is always a good friend on hand to help out when needed.
3. What has been the most challenging part of working during the past 12 months?
The past 12 months have surely been something. Not so much challenging, but I would say working from home has been very different to get used to. Having three young children at home, it has been a little noisy at times, but I think it’s made me manage my workload a lot better and get those tasks done that have always been put on the back burner. Also getting used to speaking with colleagues via Microsoft Teams; we are most definitely now in the 21st century.
4. What would you like to achieve in 2021?
Hmm, a tough question. Probably successfully rolling out our new Smartphone App for which will bring a new host of features for our clients including driver inspection reports and real-time mileage submissions.
5. What’s the first thing you’d like to do when restrictions are fully lifted?
Huh! Easy one, definitely to go abroad with my family as we usually go away twice a year, my children are really missing playing in an outdoor swimming pool with slides, along with the prospect of some warm weather!
