July 2010

Biker accident Rate down. Government action on Rider Test problems.

Ian Kerr brings good news for July and some that may even give you some faith in politicians!

Recently released UK Government figures show that deaths of all road users dropped by 12%. More importantly for the motorcyclist, fatal and serious injury motorcycle casualties fell to 20,703, or put another way showed a fall of 4% in 2009 despite a 2% rise in bike traffic. Actual fatalities dropped from 493 to 472 and serious injuries fell from 5556 to 5350. So good news there followed by an announcement that the motorcycle test is to be reviewed following all the recent problems we have often highlighted through IOC and in Dispatch News reports.

In keeping with pre-election promises, the new Transport Minister, Mike Penning MP has ordered a review of the two-part test which was introduced in April 2009 as a result of European regulations. 

After a specially convened meeting involving the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) along with rider groups MAG and BMF and after visiting a test centre to look at the testing procedure in more detail, he has ordered that a full scale review be carried out. In doing so he has also asked for input from IOC and all motorcyclists. The review will look at the manoeuvres carried out in both modules, the first being the off-road test and the second on-road part of the test to see whether these manoeuvres could safely be conducted as part of the on-road test.

The review will also look at other related motorcycle testing and training issues, including the options for training and testing for progressive access under the third European driving licence directive which will come into being in 2013. Hopefully this will prevent a repeat of the confusion and loss of jobs, not to mention lack of test take-up that has happened recently.

Despite this breakthrough, the MCIA have also urged the new government to take more notice of the motorcycle industry and have used a recent independent report to show how it contributes to the UK economy. Motorcycle couriers are not forgotten.

Motorcycle support services, that includes couriers, leasing, publishing, insurance, and training contributes £940 million in Gross Added Value to the UK economy.
An analysis of the hire and leasing sector suggests that this sector alone has an annual turnover of around £38 million, just over half of which is estimated to be GVA (£20 million).

Another big sector is still the motorcycle courier industry which despite the internet, still has an annual turnover of almost £800 million, with added value of over half of that at £480 million providing employment for 20,000 people. It is also estimated to provide a tax contribution of almost £200 million and so it goes on.

 

April 2010

Renault’s launch of the Master

Renault has just launched, or should it be re-launched, their latest gestation of the largest vehicle in their commercial van fleet – the Master. A quick external look shows it has undergone a major revamp on the styling front, although this has been done without destroying its obvious Renault heritage.

At the front new bold styling dominates with a large grille and new headlights, built in bumper steps to allow the screen to be cleaned emphasises a bold muscular approach to load carrying. New headlights and wrap around bumpers (and protective side mouldings) go with this, as does a new larger rear light set-up with three triangular stop lights.

Despite the obvious external changes, it is internally in the cab that the biggest change has taken place with a move to provide car style passenger comfort for the driver and any crew. Renault claims that this new interior will become the benchmark against which others are judged.

Certainly storage will no longer be a problem for those who require the cabin to be an office as well, with every inch of space being utilised with neat storage solutions for paperwork and even the ubiquitous bottle of water and plug for the MP3 player.

There is now a useful rotating lap-top table in the middle of the seats, with concealed storage for said item in the top of the dash, which now incorporates a clever retractable A4 clip board. As a result the Sat Nav, which is now a standard feature as opposed to an option, moves to the centre of the windscreen just above eye level.

Work has also been done on the seating and general style and layout which has been brought up to levels that would disgrace a saloon car from 5 years ago. An option of a suspension seat is available for very high mileage drivers who need the extra comfort levels.

Power for the new range comes from a new 2.3 dCi engine which comes with a choice of three power outputs (100,125 an 150hp) all with six –speed gearboxes. It may be 200cc smaller than before, but a lot of work has been done to ensure that it delivers torque where it is needed as well as being more fuel efficient and it also now has maintenance free chain drive to the camshaft.

The engine is mounted as before transversally, but the biggest news there is the option of a rear wheel drive version with a longitudinally mounted power-plant. This change to a rear wheel drive option has allowed Renault to offer a fourth length to their long list of options. The customer can now choose between four lengths, three heights and there are twelve carrying capacities, definitely something for everyone whatever the business! (They actually claim there are 350 possible configurations!)

The rear wheel drive and additional length also has the benefit of offering more scope for those who wish to convert the van for other uses such a motor-homes, thus taking things a stage further. At the front pseudo Macpherson-type suspension with an anti-roll bar takes car of the ride, with a single leaf spring at the rear. The latter becomes dual leafs for the rear wheel drive version and gets a further leaf when it moves to twin rear wheels versions.

Braking comes from 302mm ventilated discs at the front and 305mm solid items at the rear with ABS and emergency braking assist. ESP is standard on the rear wheel drive versions and optional on others.

Space in the rear is as good as it always was with little of the monocoque construction affecting loading. In fact this method of construction actually helps increase payload due to its lighter weight, while providing a good overall rigid structure. As one might expect there are a host of other changes including improved aerodynamics and Renault actually claim a cut of 28% in running costs compared to the previous or existing versions. Or as they put it a saving of £1,000 over four years or 90,000 miles.

From a driving perspective the vehicle is now very comfortable with good all-round visibility, with well positioned rear view mirrors and the engineering work in this department really shows when sitting in the now raised driving seat.

The cab is comfortable and user friendly, although it must be said that the high mounting of the Sat Nav does mean you have to avert your eyes from the road ahead, which was not always prudent on the tighter going of the test route!

On the twisty country roads around Nice, there was little to split the front and wheel drive versions when talking about handling and the engine was just spot on in terms of power delivery and smoothness. However, the gearbox on the front wheel drive was noticeably smoother in operation.

Overall though, even the largest and longest of the range was a pleasure to drive and far from hard work, thanks to the thought that has gone into this new design. Although several hundred Km’s is not a lot, given the terrain it did prove that if you had to live day in and day out with this vehicle delivering and use the cab as an office it was more than competent at both disciplines.

These new Masters (like other commercial vans) will be sold through the new Renault Pro + network that have been designed for the business user. Essentially these are a one stop shop contained within a normal dealer with extended opening hours, dedicated business servicing facilities and a member of staff available purely for the business user to avoid queuing and time off the road.

Having had the chance to look around one, these new dealers, it should make owning a Renault van of any description quite a painless experience. Coupled with their new range it is clear that Renault will continue to lead the commercial vehicle market in Western Europe as they have done for the past twelve years and I can see why!

Written for Despatch News by Ian Kerr

March 2010

IoC Chairman Carl Lomas stumbled across a Deep South story that makes any courier proud to deliver.

Its not Next Day delivery at the South Pole! Argentineans, oil and BBC bring Southern Earth into latest news but it’s the couriers who deliver it. Southern most courier office on Earth is run by Allison Ward and a dedicated team at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.

This zone of the World comes under DHL Offshore Island control under Dennis McCarthy in England. Allison’s team operate the franchise held by the Local Chamber of Commerce for DHL. Over the last ten years consignments have grown from five shipments a week to over a hundred clearing a thousand kilos a go. ‘Internet has driven the economy down here, oil and technology. Cable and Wireless liberated the use of internet in the Islands and deliveries took off'

North bound deliveries are also a vital Island link. Consignments of documents for fishing control and licensing, wool documentation, meat and cattle export papers all go by courier.

It’s a single flight dependency location, that’s one bike on the road by London standards. Routing is via Santiago, capital of Chile then internal on the LAN flights for Punta Arenas, most Southern City of the World before the four hundred mile flight out to Falklands, Stanley. Thursday mid day cut off Santiago for Saturday morning deliveries and a break for the weekend. If the flights are tourist laden then luggage gets priority and courier weight is held back. ‘When it’s really urgent we can always get it in’ says Allison.

Updated nautical charts for Deep South fishing vessels come through the courier office for vessels in the Antarctic waters of the South Pole. The small Dash Seven British Antarctic Survey plane makes the last leg to the South Pole. Telecoms equipment and engineering parts are common place for research scientists on the South Pole camps.

This is the courier team who make lives different. Christmas is not the same without them. Bird Island, check that on your World globe, resident scientists bagged their Christmas cake courtesy of Allison and their team Christmas Eve just in time for Santa. Whale Bone samples and reindeer testing materials are a little more the norm.

North bound science deliveries have included help to the Smithsonian Institute research teams from all islands of South Georgia. Restricted exports, paperwork quirky as you like, Spanish language in the courier office a great help for the Punta Arenas link.

Social aspects of courier work in the Falklands are part of customer service. One couple landed Stanley from a cruise ship to be married. No birth certificate no marriage, Best man, best courier. Its Allison’s team that did a full rush to fly in the birth certificates for the special day. Northern Europe to Falklands and just in time to say ‘I do’ that’s courier with a deadline. Special delivery wedding dresses are the norm and done proper, not even a peep for the groom when he signs for the box.

Big community involvement by the team down here. Feb 2010, DHL team member Charlotte Middleton carried the baton for the World Commonwealth games on its route through the Falkland Islands. Allison her self heads up the Islands Cancer Charity and her husband is a governor of the Deep Sea fishing Mission.

Dedication, involvement and persistance is needed to make the deliveries happen this far south and Island Sports is an important summer festival day. DHL get's the jockey to the starting line, delivery race to get the prize jockey his protective hat in matching colours just in time for the big race.

Serious stuff includes deliveries for the de mining projects on the Islands. Military fly out of Brize Norton direct via Ascension but there is no civilian priority. DHL have made this their land, southern most courier office on Earth with a team of top couriers and proud to do it.

 

September 2009

Good News on Motorcycle Bike Safety

Ian Kerr reports, Latest UK Government figures for road casualties in 2008 have recently been published, they show a very positive downtrend for motorcycle fatalities and injuries. (Department for Transport. Transport Statistics Bulletin: Road Casualties in Great Britain - Main Results 2008) This document is always a year behind, but shows that almost a hundred fewer motorcyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2008 compared to the previous year. The official figures now show that over the same period motorcycle use has increased over 44 per cent, which put another way, mile-for-mile, motorcycling is becoming safer. This good news is backed up when looked at in percentage terms, 16% in the number of motorcycle fatalities is a greater reduction than for all road users. The Institute of Couriers believes that this welcome fall is a result of many organisations working together. Courier Companies are working towards a wider awareness of all road users, recognising the vulnerability of motorcyclists as well as better rider training and safer machines for motorcyle couriers.

However the new motorcycle riding test fiasco which started in April, has resulted in trainees suffering injuries whilst attempting the 'swerve test', calling for it to be banned. After a lot of protests from all sectors of the training and motorcycle industry the Government has finally launched an official inquiry! The future numbers of motorcycle couriers will be reduced reports Ian Kerr. The riding test fiasco is not the whole story and not as important as the imposing restrictions on their way from Europe for the year 2013. Without getting too technical about all the various options, the changes could mean that learner riders may lose the right to ride unaccompanied and then have to go through various stages to get to ride a big shaft drive bike.This would mean that a 'Learner' would need to find a qualified instructor each time they wanted to go for a ride until they passed their test. The training ground of many a young rider comes from his or her ability to practise on their own as well as with a qualified instructor. This will affect the small motorcylce market including the electric two wheelers. If it becomes too difficult to get a licence people won't bother, potentially resulting in a big down turn in new motorcycle couriers in the next five years.

June 2009

Skills for Logistics Urges Employers to Make the Most of Driver CPC

 According to an employer consultation by Skills for Logistics (SfL), courier & logistics businesses welcome the opportunity to develop the skills of their drivers through the new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). Results indicate that companies see the training legislation as an opportunity to encourage drivers to update their skills and improve road safety.

Key findings are that:-

• 89% of respondents think it will lead to an increase in the economic awareness of drivers, for example, in terms of fuel savings and reduction in vehicle wear and tear
• 87% see a potential benefit in improvements in road safety
• 81% see a potential increase in environmental awareness of drivers.

The main criticism from employers is that the Driver CPC is not sufficiently prescriptive, needing 35 hours of Periodic Training in 5 years, but with no legal requirement for assessment. SfL believes that there is a real opportunity for business to benefit from this required training if employers approach it in the right way and seek training that includes assessment.

Dr Ross Moloney, Head of Intelligence at Skills for Logistics comments: “Driver CPC will ultimately have an impact on the professionalism of the HGV Driver. More enlightened employers can see that there are real opportunities to develop the skills of the workforce and to benefit the business.

“Those that are already training their staff can align this to the Driver CPC. If training is developed appropriately some of it can go towards certified qualifications such as the Scottish / National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs), so the individual benefits from getting a vocationally recognised qualification. There is a great opportunity for employers to make the Driver CPC work for their business needs and to develop driver’s skills.”

The results of the employer consultation are central to SfL’s response to the Driving Standards Agency Consultation - Driver Certificate of Professional Competence scheme - improvements to administrative arrangements.

Employers participating in the survey demonstrated awareness of the forthcoming training legislation, with 98% of those questioned aware of the requirements..

 Skills for Logistics - Who are they?

Skills for Logistics is the Sector Skills Council for the freight logistics industries. It is a registered charity and an independent, UK-wide organisation run for employers, by employers, to tackle the skills and productivity needs of the logistics sector. It is owned and led by the industry and has the active backing of over 100 of the UK's top freight transport businesses as well as the leading trade bodies and Trade Unions. Chief Executive, Dr Mick Jackson is a fellow of the Institute of Couriers. Key support comes from The British Association of Removers, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the British International Freight Association, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association, the Transport and General Workers Union, the UK Warehousing Association and the United Road Transport Union all support the organisation.

Skills for Logistics' programmes include work-based qualifications and Apprenticeships for a wide range of occupations across the sector, Cary & Deliver Goods is a particular focus for the same day courier industry. Industry based degrees and school careers and curriculum materials demonstrating the importance of Logistics to the nation are promoted widely. Skills for Logistics has also developed the Professional Development Stairway. This sets out a comprehensive framework of training and learning for the freight logistics industries.

April 2009

What? Practical wheels for the courier. Steady on Yamaha

Budget ink still wet in the red box and Yamaha bring talk of practical wheels for the bike courier. Road race replica R Us in days long lost from the time of the CX500, Kawasaki GT550 and RS250 Honda single that delivered the courier through the eighties. News in from Yamaha of a two fifty single, practical and economical. Institute Of Couriers have asked Ian Kerr for a true review but meanwhile here is what Yamaha says.

The YBR250 has been available in Europe before, however it’s only now, following on from customer demand, that Yamaha have decided to introduce it into their model line up for this year.

Imported in limited numbers, this stylish single cylinder 250 four-stroke motorcycle is the perfect answer for those riders who like geared bikes, but also want to bridge the gap between a 125 and 600cc machinery. The YBR250 is economical, attracts low insurance premiums, is easy to ride and with its comtempory design, has a low seat height (805mm) too.

Priced at £3399 (plus road fund license and first registration fee) and available in silver or black, the YBR will be in authorised Yamaha dealer’s showrooms now. What is Ian Kerr going to say about this?

December 2008

Ian Kerr reports on the Birmingham Bike Show for IoC.

It seems amazing that this is the 20 th year that the Motorcycle Show has been located at the Birmingham NEC complex. The days of dingy displays at Earls Court are long gone, as are most of the machines that once headlined show reports from London. While the show may now be the very last of the major European shows with no major launches, it is still the first chance we in the UK have to actually have to see the new 2009 bikes in the flesh without needing to get on a plane. Despite the lack of actual bike launches, it was still a very exciting event even in the current economic crisis and there was plenty to see and do as well as few surprises.

On the first day World Superbike star Ruben Xaus dropped in to unveil the awesome new BMW S1000 RR Superbike project, while manufacturers Yamaha and Kawasaki launched new racing teams in British and World Superbikes respectively.  Harley-Davidson and KTM also announced new, one-make race championships. Celebrity round-the-world explorer Charley Boorman kept his profile high by testing out the Batman Batpod which was on display to perhaps give a glimpse of the future! The Hairy Bikers debuted their new custom machines that will feature in their TV series, in fact the place just buzzed with enthusiastic celebrities (if not any politicians) as well as brand new (to the UK) bikes looking to tempt the cash from your pockets.

It is impossible to cover every new model, but for some Honda stole the limelight with their V4 Concept machine, which they claim shows the power of technology. Honda have stated their intention to bring back their legendary V4 format engine with this concept model and this could be the way biking goes in the future. But there was a lot more there apart from the new machines, including new technical clothing ranges and other equipment that will make motorcycling an even more attractive (financially!) proposition in the current doom and gloom!

Sept 2008

Top Brass judges for the 2008 job find the Best of the Best Sameday.

Billed the courier event of the year companies large and small, national, London and network have booked up for an evening to remember. The National Courier Awards for 2008 gala celebration dinner will be at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall.London. Tracey Worth co-ordinated nominations and chairman of the judges Marc Cheauveau held the meeting of the panel on Tuesday September 9th in the presence of Steve Norris former transport minister and Vice President of the Institute.

ecisions and discussion covered most of the day for a run of short-listers that drew the highest quality seen in the history of the awards. Lunch was an opportunity for the top brass to take on thoughts from Steve Norris that covered transport, green issues & push bikes, congestion and business needs for same day transport. There was no easy answer to find the winners who remain a secret until the evening, Don’t miss the results, 2008

The 2008 Short-listers

Two wheel – Gabriel Alves-Dias / TNT, Will Hepworth / Connections, John Powell / Post Haste, Agni Tokaraz / Pink Express, Pablo Valverde/e-couriers.

Four Wheel – Colin Foster / Comet Couriers, Boris Atanasov / Pink Express, Philip Connolly / Point to Point, Mel Gabitas / MPC Excell, Harry Holland / TNT, Anthony Rudder / e-courier.

Contract – Shane Barclay / Pink Express, Raymond Beer / TNT, David Green / Post Haste, Paul Johnson / DHL.

Office – Mark Davies / Swift Liverpool, Ros Grinham / Prestige, Jooshna Khan / e-couriers, Lee Lloyd / MPC Excel, Jean Lowe / Pink Express, Kenny Muir / DHL.

Services to the industry and the Safety Award are top secret until the evening. See you there.

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July 2008

Review of the Renault Kangoo 2 by Ian Kerr. Quite the Courier Van of the 21st Century!

Inside both ‘Compact’ and the larger ‘Express’ have a capacious bright cockpit that is more in line with a car or MPV than a courier vehicle. Space and practicality seem to have been the design key words as there is space to securely fit an A4 clip board on the dash, store two lap-top computers in the glove box, as well as a capacious overhead shelf. With fully adjustable seats and steering wheel, cruise control, air con, parking sensors, automatic headlamp and wiper activation; driving is not going to get too stressful. Safety is high on the list with pretensioner belts and airbags all round if required. The cockpit forms a rigid non deformable survival cell to protect its occupants in the event of a crash and you have a choice of bulkheads or safety bars behind you. With ventilated discs front and rear ABS, brake assist ASR traction control and ESC under-steer control, along with a load limiter its more like a top of the range car.

The larger ‘Express’ is 4.21 m long and can now take loads between 3 and 3.60 cubic metres. The width between the rear wheel arches is 1.21 metres, which means that europalette format loads will just slide in. The ‘Compact’ is 3.83 m long with load capability of just 2.3 to 2.9 cubic metres, but the turning circle and ease of manoeuvrability is well worth opting for it if you do not have large loads to carry. Both have asymmetrical rear doors that have been beefed up and designed for constant use. Powering these new versions are three diesel engines, 70, 80 and 85bhp versions of the 1.5dCi unit. The lower two have CO2 emissions below 140g/km.

So what is it like to drive? Tested in France, fully loaded around hilly, rural and town areas. Built on the ‘Scenic’ chassis, it gives a level of handling not normally associated with a van of the genre. With a wider track and a longer wheelbase compared to the existing version, the vehicle is very stable with little roll and pitch being noticeable even when loaded. The electrically assisted power steering is very useable and predictable at all speeds. On the Compact, its turning circle is superb and on the tight backstreets that formed part of my test route, it put its sibling to shame. Both test versions used the 85bhp motor mated to a five sped gearbox and it showed itself to be more than up to the task.

eally there is little to comment on, the new Kangoo is better in every way and Renault has managed to achieve a replacement that is still as recognisable as its predecessor and even better! Quite an achievement, Quite a Courier Van!

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May 2008

Review of the VW Caddy by Ian Kerr. Size has been achieved by increasing the overall length by 47 cms and now means that the Cady Maxi has a load capacity of 4200 litres making it one of the largest models amongst the small compact transporters. It has a payload of 800 kilograms and a cargo area of 2250 millimetres in length depending of the configuration of the interior. A solid partition between the driver’s area and the load space can either be solid or have a window in the top area. Motive power is provided with a choice of two efficient turbo diesel engines that meet all current standards. A 1.9 litre TDI PD with 105 PS starts the list that can be mated to the advanced DSG ‘auto’ box or a five speed manual version. One step up is the 2.0 litre TDI PD 140 PS for those who need a little extra in the way of pulling power and performance. This has a six-speed manual box as standard.Quite rightly a whole host of safety features come as standard, ABS brakes, Engine Braking Control (EBC) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD and Traction Control (TCS). To these can be added ESP plus which can include a trailer stabilisation function for those who order a tow hitch when trailers are a regular addition to the working day. As with any VW product it has an element of class and solid build, with doors closing with a reassuring feel to the fit and finish. The driving position is comfortable and there are a whole range of adjustments to make sure that one size fits all. To use the old cliché, ‘all controls fall easily to hand’ and visibility is good with very little being obscured.

On the open road the Caddy Maxi cruises happily at all legal limits and there is sufficient pep from the engines to get you there as well as being useful around town in the traffic light GP. The steering is relatively light and positive and should not prevent anybody from driving this vehicle. Away from the straight and narrow, the Caddy Maxi handles surprisingly well for a van and there is little roll around bends. In fact there is very little to criticise this new variant from the now well established Caddy range of vehicles. With a starting price of £12,650 it is competitively priced and well worth a look.

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March 2008

2008 House of Lords fellows gowning was awash with the colour of IOC silk ribbon for a fabulous gala ceremony to recognise individuals respected at the top of their industry.Two former transport ministers took new IOC roles. Steve Norris and David Jamieson became vice presidents of the IOC, with President Lord Falkland at the head this brings unparalleled recognition for the same day courier industry. Steve Norris (Conservative) and David Jamieson (Labour) took on their roles at the fellows gowning ceremony with gowns finished in fur but not ermine. David Jamieson had detailed thoughts on transport and couriers to share with fellows of the Institute of Couriers in a heart felt delivery speech.

Tracey Worth orchestrated the new fellows gowned on the evening, they included operations director of Skills for Logistics Mick Jackson. Steve Purkiss of Reuter Brooks, a National Courier Award winner stepped up alongside Mark Davies of Swift Despatch Liverpool with almost a decades service to the National Courier Association. Neil Michaeloudis head of Finance at GLH was gowned, Am Pall of CitySprint Fleet and Specialist Services responsible for Quality Management amongst other roles, Richard Howard of Post Haste, Greg Hoy of Excel Couriers, Mike McCartney of Road Runners Swindon also on the executive committee of the National Courier Association all took the robes. Director of Lewis Day Joe Sheehan responsible for Medical Services both having received recommendation for their work within the company and industry. Steve Deverson Director of Sales, DHL and Steve Hemingway of Point to Point join them in dedicated quality service to the industry.

Steve Norris spoke on behalf of the guests and in tradition of the IOC existing fellows formed a line orchestrated by IOC Chairman Carl Lomas MBE and then they all welcomed the newcomers, before guests, friends and family clapped them out of the Lords Terrace for formal photos. Food followed, drinks flowed and all had a tremendous evening to remember, Lights of the London Eye, Florence Nightingales hospital, St Thomas across the Thames, City Hall and moonlight for an industry recognition of individuals recognised at the top of their success.

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February 2008

This Years Date set for National Courier Awards -Tuesday 16th September 2008 IOC Chairman Carl Lomas MBE called on Graham Westcott RHA and pending master of the Carman livery to announce a chairman for the 2008 panel of judges. Graham Westcott announced Marc Cheauveux FFIoC of MPC Excel as the new chairman of judges. Tracey Worth remains co-ordinator and will champion the nominations. To a drum role of applause, Marc Cheauveau then opened the envelope and named the 2008 panel of judges

In the presence of the IOC President Lord Falkland Mick Jackson FIoC announced the location of the 2008 National Courier Awards, 'It will be the Institute of Directors on Pall Mall London West End. The date Sept 16th 2008' Mick Jackson proposed the support of the Transport Skills Council, Skills for Logistics to be the key sponsor of the 2008 gala event recognising the very best of the best same day industry.

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January 2008

Easy road to own number plate. Corporate logo’s have long been round but now our fleet is an important extension of that. The ability to place graphics all over our vehicles has changed the clients ‘quality’ view of the service offered. It is now seen as a modern ‘quality’ symbol for companies to see these personalised vehicles. It is necessary to do more than just put your name on the side of a van or top box. The service industry is always looking for new ways to promote their service and this time of year is no exception. Pens, Christmas Cards, Calendars and even clocks are used to remind the customer of you.Well here is a new idea from DVLA.

DVLA provide online and a telephone service to order your own number plate, you just tap in your ‘wish’ letters and numbers and the DVLA computer will tell you the number plate nearest to what you want. It’s easy. You could run a competition, a raffle or a draw for your client to win a personalised number plate relating to their company. Everyone in the company will get to know you and remember who you are!

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