Stuart O'Brien, Author at Fleet Summit - Page 34 of 53
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Stuart O'Brien

Do you specialise in Duty of Care for the fleet industry? We want to hear from you!

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Each month on Fleet Management Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the fleet & logistics market – and in October we’ll be focussing on Duty of Care solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help fleet buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Duty of Care solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 / c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our features list in full:

Oct – Duty of Care
Nov – Grey Fleet
Dec – Service, Maintenance & Repair

Last few places left to attend next month’s Fleet Summit!

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Click here to confirm your free pass for the 8th & 9th October – Whittlebury Park, Northampton.

Or if you cannot make the above date then we have a handful of places left for our November Fleet Summit here.

As our guest, you can gain access to insightful seminars that focus on the Fleet industry and its challenges. PLUS, your attendance is entirely FREE.

Your pre-arranged bespoke itinerary, means that all you need to do is join us on the day!

Click here to register for one of our final places

Or if you have any questions about the event or your guest pass, then contact us today.

Contract hire expected to ‘leap’ for company vehicles

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A leap may be about to occur in the use of operational leasing as a means of acquiring company cars and vans, according to new research from Arval Mobility Observatory.
 
When asked whether they intended to introduce or increase use of operational leasing, also known as contract hire, in the next three years, more than a quarter (26%) of fleets said yes, compared to just over one in 10 (12%) when the same question was posed in 2019*.
 
Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “These responses indicate more than a doubling of the overall tendency, year-on-year, to increase the use of operational leasing, or contract hire as it’s also known.
 
“This method of acquisition has been gradually increasing across the market for a long time but it’s been a gradual change over decades. Here, we see signs of a potential leap forwards rather than further incremental steps. The movements are large enough to suggest a genuine shift in attitude.”
 
The move was marked across organisations of all sizes except for the very smallest, he added, with the trend clear across all businesses with more than 10 employees.
 
“At the largest scale, 38% of businesses with more than 1,000 employees now say they would implement or increase the use of operational leasing compared to 17% when asked the same question in 2019.
 
“However, for those with 10-99 employees, the change is even more marked, with a rise from 8% to 31% year-on-year, which is just under a fourfold improvement. It’s pretty dramatic.”
 
Sadlier explained that operational leasing had very clear advantages – predictable costs, the avoidance of residual value risk, easy packaging with other key vehicle services and more – and one or all of these factors appeared to be gaining favour. 
 
“What is also interesting is that this research was carried out before the coronavirus crisis. In a business future where there will undoubtedly be increased and perhaps substantial pressure on company budgets in the short and medium terms at the very least, there is every chance that operational leasing will look even more appealing to fleet and mobility decision makers.” 
 
For the 2020 edition of its Fleet Barometer, the Arval Mobility Observatory this year questioned 5,600 businesses in 20 European countries, posing a wide range of questions covering current fleet and mobility trends.
 
More information on the research project can be downloaded from arval.co.uk/amo-insight. 

Join our November Fleet Summit – In person or virtually!

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Offering all the same benefits as our October Fleet Summit Summit, we are hosting a 2nd annual hybrid Summit on November 9th & 10th.

As our guest, you can gain access to insightful seminars that focus on the Fleet industry and its challenges. PLUS, your attendance is entirely FREE, wether that be in person at the LIVE event or virtually from the comfort of your own surroundings – whatever works best for you!

Your pre-arranged bespoke itinerary, means that all you need to do is arrive or sign in on the day and enjoy complimentary overnight accommodation, including all meals and refreshments throughout!

Click here to register for one of our final places

Or if you have any questions about the event or your guest pass, then contact us today.

Fleet management software usage ‘back to pre-COVID levels’

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Use of fleet management software is now back to pre-coronavirus crisis, with businesses having often used the lockdown period to rethink their whole approach to transport.
 
That’s according to FleetCheck, which sats the majority of users who were active before mid-March had now returned, and that the volume of work being processed was at levels that could be described as normal.

In addition, more than 100 new companies had start using the system since lockdown began.
 
FleetCheck Managing Director Peter Golding said: “We’re a little hesitant about calling this a ‘return to normal’ because the truth is that what is ‘normal’ has very much changed – but we can clearly see that our customer base appears to be back to work and at levels of activity comparable to six months ago.
 
“What is interesting is how many customers have used the time created by the coronavirus crisis to take a good look at their transport activities. While clearly no-one would’ve wished for these circumstances to develop, they did create a perhaps unprecedented space in which to think deeply about the fundamentals of moving people and goods around.”
 
Golding said that much of this activity seemed to have been based around the digitisation of operations, using technology to make new levels of efficiency possible.
 
“Really, the kind of thinking that has taken place falls into two areas. The first was strategic, tackling fundamental questions about the kinds of vehicles needed in the new normal – how many will be required, who will drive them, how they will be funded, and so on. These are issues that are deeply rooted in operational considerations.
 
“The second is where we have been more closely involved. As with most software solutions, there are always additional features available from which users can benefit but which they weren’t utilising pre-coronavirus. What we have seen is a drive to realise the further efficiencies that are available by simply adopting more of our technology to deliver present and future gains. We’re confident that our customer base will come out of the last few months with their fleets configured to deliver a noticeably greater degree of efficiency.”
 
Golding added that growth in FleetCheck’s customer base meant usage of its fleetmanagement systems were now around 20% higher than at the same time last year with the FleetCheck Driver app proving especially popular, exceeding one million checks a month.
 
“To us, this proves that systems of the kind we provide have become thought of by fleets in a similar vein to how accountants think of Sage or sales teams think of Salesforce. Fleet management software is now absolutely central to the operation of companies running vehicles and, even when things are tough, their value is very much recognised.”

Secure the last places at the Fleet Summit

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There are only have two delegate places remaining for this October’s Fleet Summit – grab them while you can!

Did you know that the Summit is a hybrid event – which means that you can attend in person at the LIVE event or virtually from the comfort of your own surroundings?

You will get access to a series of insightful seminars that focus on the Fleet industry and its challenges. Plus, your pre-arranged bespoke itinerary means that all you need to do is arrive or sign in on the day.

We will organise everything else for you, including your 1-2-1 relaxed meetings with top industry solution providers that match your requirements.

Your FREE pass also includes overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments throughout!

Enjoy networking with fellow fleet professionals including representatives from; Domino’s Pizza, Cancer Research UK, G4S UK & Ireland, John Lewis, KP Snacks, London Ambulance Services, Royal Mail Group,Taylor Wimpey PLC, Virgin Media, Whistl and many more.

8th & 9th October at Whittlebury Park, Northampton.

There is no hard-sell at this event, just an opportunity to build essential business relationships that can help you and your business prepare for every eventuality. 

Click here to register for one of our final two places

For more information about these Summit’s, contact us today.

Do you specialise in Vehicle Tracking solutions? We want to hear from you!

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Each month on Fleet Management Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the fleet & logistics market – and in September we’ll be focussing on Vehicle Tracking solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help fleet buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Vehicle Tracking solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 / c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our features list in full:

Sep – Vehicle Tracking
Oct – Duty of Care
Nov – Grey Fleet
Dec – Service, Maintenance & Repair

Clean Air Zones to impact 40% of businesses, research shows

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More than four out of 10 businesses (43%) believe they will be affected by the introduction of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) across the UK and the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London, 

The findings stem from the 2020 Arval Mobility Observatory, which gains insights into fleet and mobility trends across the UK and Europe through a wide ranging set of questions.

It also asked respondents how they will react to the introduction of CAZs and the ULEZ. In total, 76% said they will replace vehicles to meet the new standards, 27% will find other types of transportation to allow them to continue doing business within the zones, and 27% will make no changes, accepting the impact and cost.

Shaun Sadlier, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “These results indicate the ways in which fleets are planning to manage the introduction of the new zones across the country although, of course, many have now been delayed by the coronavirus crisis.

“Overall, more than four out of 10 believe they will be affected and, of these, around three out of four plan to meet the challenge by operating vehicles that meet whatever new regulations are being introduced.

“To us, this is unsurprising. In most places, the introduction of CAZs are really designed to remove vehicles that use older, less clean emissions technology from cities. The truth is that because the regulations are relatively straightforward, many fleets are already compliant. Over the next couple of years, just through normal, planned replacement of vehicles, most should meet the regulations.

“It’s also thought-provoking to see that around a quarter are planning to use alternative modes of transport. It would be fascinating to know what these are, especially whether some fleets are going to be able to make a switch into public transport or other mobility options.”

68% think In-car technology is a dangerous distraction

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68% of motorists say they’ve noticed an increase in other drivers being distracted by dashboard controls or using their mobile phones, but just 13% admit to being side-tracked themselves when driving.

The somewhat paradoxical findings are from a survey carried out by Venson Automotive Solutions that also shows that while 38% of drivers use hands-free/Bluetooth in-car technology for making phone calls whilst driving, nearly a fifth admitted to balancing the ‘phone somewhere to keep an eye on it, such as a cup holder, when using it as a satnav.

The survey results come as the Department of Transport (DfT) has announced a review of roads policing that will look at ways of reducing road casualties and deaths, and is asking for evidence on in-car technology and how this could be increasing accident risks as well as reducing it.

Businesses and fleet managers are recommended by Venson to impress on drivers the dangers of being distracted by their in-car tech and ensure robust processes are in place to meet their duty of care obligations. 

Drivers currently risk six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine if they use a hand-held phone or satnav when driving. For motorists who passed their driving test within 2 years of being caught, the consequences are even more severe – they will automatically lose their licence and have to reapply and pay for a new provisional licence – passing both theory and practical parts of the driving test again to get a full licence.

However, the Venson survey shows that people’s appetite for more advanced in-car tech is growing – even if it isn’t in their current vehicle; 67% saying they would use a dashboard satnav if it were available in their car and nearly 50% of people surveyed said that they would like to have an emergency call button in their car in case of being involved in a road accident.

An app which informs the driver about the health of their vehicle’s tyres would also be welcomed by 48% of people, while 43% would make use of driver assistance technology such as cruise control, lane departure detection and speed limit exceeded notifications. 

In contrast, only 26% of people surveyed said they would like to see entertainment or lifestyle dashboard technology, such as apps that play music or offer concierge services.

Simon Staton, Client Management Director at Venson, said: “We may have some of the safest roads in the world, but anything that can be done to reduce the number of casualties on our roads is to be welcomed. The advances made in in-car technology have moved on very quickly, and as they become standard in new vehicles, the scope for driver distraction also grows. We look forward to the results and recommendations from the DfT review and would encourage businesses and fleetmanagers to get involved in the consultation process.”

The review is open for input until 5th October 2020.   More information can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/roads-policing-review-future-methods-to-improve-safety-and-reduce-causalities

The upcoming Fleet Summit has moved dates! Attend in person or virtually…

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Due to the recent updates from the government, we have made the decision to move the date of the Summit to the 8th & 9th October at Whittlebury Park, Northampton.

Still forming the same concept, your guest pass includes; a personalised itinerary of relaxed meetings with top industry suppliers, networking with fellow professionals that share your challenges, overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments.

There is no hard sell at the event, just a great opportunity to build business relationships – Virtual attendance options are also available.

Social Distancing: We are abiding by social distancing rules to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our event attendees and staff. The event will have restricted attendee numbers, pre-arranged meetings and clear floor markings throughout. Meeting booths now allow for a 1-2-meter gap with a clear partition screen between both participants, as well as other forms of prevention.

Click here to confirm your place or if you cannot make this date, then we are also hosting a 2nd annual Fleet Summit on 9th & 10th November at the same venue.

For more information about these Summit’s, contact us today.