A major investment is being made by Kwik-Fit in its light commercial vehicle tyre fitting proposition and in expanding its range of mechanical services to fleets as the number of vans on the UK's roads continues to rapidly rise.
Kwik-Fit Fleet will officially launch its improved service to light commercial vehicle fleets, small business, sole traders and the retail market at the 2012 CV Show being held at the NEC Birmingham from 24-26 April.
The UK's largest fast-fit and one-stop motoring shop company is best known in the van world as a tyre supplier but at the Show it will also be turning the spotlight on vehicle servicing and MoT work and its range of related mechanical services.
Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: "The CV Show is the shop window for commercial vehicle operators particularly so it makes sense to launch our new and significantly improved service at the event.
"The van market is continuing to expand. Kwik-Fit Fleet is the largest provider of fast-fit and related services to the UK company car market and we anticipate that the investment we are making in centres, staff and equipment to cater for the light commercial vehicle market will further increase our share of that business sector."
He added: "Kwik-Fit Fleet is well established as a leading provider of tyres for commercial vehicles but what maybe less well known is that we also offer a wide range of services at very competitive prices to help fleet managers run an efficient and cost effective transport operation.
"It is becoming increasingly well established that a franchised dealer's service book stamp is not required to maintain optimum residual values on many vehicles. But what is essential is that company vans have a documented service history across their fleet life to ensure top residual values are potentially achievable.
"As a result, fleet decision-makers and company van drivers are increasingly turning to Kwik-Fit for a number of reasons - cost savings, flexibility as a result of longer opening hours linked to a business culture of long hours working and the availability of 'come to you' mobile tyre repair and replacement through our mobile offering."
More than 40% (1.6 million) of approximately four million business vehicles on the UK's roads are calculated to be light commercial vehicles and the size of the van fleet is expected to increase further, particularly as demand for home deliveries continues to rise as a consequence of the internet shopping boom.
To meet increasing demand from fleets for a wide range of van-related products and services, Kwik-Fit Fleet, Britain's largest fast-fit provider and a one-stop motoring shop for many fleets and contract hire and leasing companies, is investing in:
- An expanded range of tyres in centres that will cover the top 80%+ of LCVs with premium, mid and budget priced choices across each of those sizes
- New specialist light commercial vehicle equipment in its 800 UK centres - the largest network of any fast-fit provider
- Additional light commercial vehicle training for staff
- Ensuring that the vast majority of the centre network can accommodate light commercial vehicles, including the growing number of hi-roof, long wheel base models as well as car derived vehicles, while making details of those centres and their specific facilities available to customers.
Centres are now being 'tooled up' for the improved offering to light commercial vehicle fleets, which includes the purchase of six-tonne trolley jacks, five-tonne axle stands, wheel clocks, extensions bars and tyre cages.
Neil Kidd, UK business development manager SMR and MoT for Kwik-Fit Fleet and co-ordinating the organisation's LCV strategy, said: "The developments will ensure a consistent capability of a range of service to light commercial vehicle fleets across the centre network and a transparent and consistent service to customers.
"We will also ensure that centres are fully stocked with an expanded tyre choice and that staff have access to the very latest technical information so they have the capability to work on all types of vans."
Kwik-Fit Fleet's further expansion into the UK light commercial vehicle tyre repair and replacement, servicing and MoT markets, represents the latest investment in the business by owners Itochu Corporation.
The Japanese company acquired the Kwik-Fit Group in 2011 - the year in which Kwik-Fit Fleet debuted at the CV Show - and has already embarked on a multi-million pound refurbishment programme across the company's high street centre network.
The first new-look centres in Glasgow, Stafford, Strood, Stevenage and Newbury are operational and work will commence imminently on the next 60 Kwik-Fit centres.
The investment will mean Kwik-Fit centres have a modern and comfortable feel whereby the traditional centre counters will be removed and replaced by desks and flat screen monitors. The reception area will have modern relaxed seating, tea and coffee making facilities and be equipped with WiFi and flat screen televisions.
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