New national network of Truckwash sites can help operators beat the credit crunch'

A growing number of major carriers and transport operators are reportedly taking advantage of a new national network of Truckwash sites to not only clean up their act but to help to beat the Credit Crunch.

Major names including DHL, Wincanton, Eddie Stobart, TDG, Turners, Suttons & Maritime have agreements with LPW Truckwash to ensure that their vehicles are presented in the best possible clean condition as they transport their customers goods both domestically and internationally.

Recently, major card company ReD Fuels has also added its weight with over 325,000 driver members, all potential customers of Truckwash sites located at Welcome Break and Road Chef Motorway  service areas across the UK.

Exclusive contracted member rates for washing vehicles start from only 8 per vehicle, which is highly competitive and financially cost effective in the current Credit Crunch climate, says LPW Truckwash Chairman Laurie Moon.

Major fleets can ensure that their vehicle fleets are regularly cleaned by taking full advantage of our current 25 Truckwash sites strategically located at Motor Way Services Areas throughout the country, he said, Through our cost effective membership scheme there is no excuse for any vehicle to be in a dirty condition.

LPW Truckwash helps to maintain the image of fleets, which is so important in todays competitive climate and where money is tight. No customer wants to see their goods delivered in vehicles bearing their livery that are not in a clean condition.

The bottom line is that by keeping your vehicles clean you will help to maintain a positive relationship with your customers. At LPW Truckwash we like to call ourselves Brand Guardians as we are helping to maintain and indeed protect our customers images. he said.

LPW Truckwash is aiming to open a total of 50 Truckwash sites in total in a 2.2 million investment at motorway service areas through the UK. Three new sites are planned to open in the first quarter of 2009 at Birchanger Services on the M11, Corley Services on the M6 and Oxford Services on the M40.

State of the art cleaning facilities are being installed at all sites. Maintaining a vehicle fleet that is both green and clean can make a positive difference to an operators bottom line continued Laurie Moon who says customers are now demanding more and more that their goods are carried in clean vehicles and consequently project a clean image.

The pressure on operators is greater than ever in terms of increased overheads such as fuel and higher margins.

A clean vehicle fleet can have a competitive edge for the operator when it comes to winning business. Image is now more important than ever and can mean the difference between winning or losing a contract.

Transport operators are rightly becoming more focused on the appearance of their vehicle fleets.

There is another obvious reason for maintaining a clean fleet and that is the driver attitude with regards to the way he treats the vehicle during working hours. If the vehicle is clean and well presented it will be handled with more care and therefore reduce the ongoing repairs bill which can become a significant part of the running cost of the fleet.

The market for commercial vehicle cleaning is conservatively estimated at 400 million but there are still many companies who would rather have a dirty vehicle on the road than invest in the cost of maintaining a clean fleet.

More and more customers are of course outsourcing the task of keeping their vehicles clean.  It is a sensible move that allows them to concentrate on their core business activities and enables them to budget a fixed cost for the job of keeping their vehicles in a clean condition with the benefit, in many cases, of saving on overheads.

Transport operations serving the food industry, whether in house vehicle fleets or the food logistics specialists maintain a strong reputation for cleanliness.  Obviously where food is concerned health and safety implications are involved but in todays competitive marketplace a clean image outside reflects on the health of the company internally.

It is obviously vital that operators moving customers goods from A to B to their customers project a good image.  Cleaning a truck at least once a week at one of the growing number of Truckwashes at motorway service areas, or through a mobile service, will at least help to ensure that operators are committed to delivering their customer reputations as well as promoting their own images.

In todays brand and image conscious world, the transport industry is in danger of tarnishing its image if it doesnt come clean across all areas of the sector

Laurie Moon added:  The industry has been calling for a nationwide network solution to service the cleaning requirements particularly of national vehicle fleets.

We are now providing that solution and major fleet operators and hauliers alike are excited by the obvious benefits of maintaining a clean image for their vehicles and also, particularly where food distribution is concerned, a good environmentally-friendly image.

We are all very mindful these days of the green issue and cleaner vehicles on the road can only enhance their environmental friendly image of fleets.

LPW Truckwash has made a substantial investment in this network of truck washing facilities at motor service areas across the UK.  Our systems are manufactured within the UK and built to the highest standards in order to give a truck wash that is professional and efficient which assists truck operators by ensuring vehicles are swiftly cleaned without being held up in long queues.

Truckwash is the way forward for operators who want their vehicles cleaned professionally and quickly whatever part of Britain their vehicles might be in.  They also have the assurance that the service is backed by an organisation with over 35 years experience in the cleaning industry, he added.