Group Managing Director, Rupert Smith, was on hand to accept 3 new Transit L1's last week. Rupert commented, "These addtions will secure our expansion moving forward well into 2017 and represent our continued investment to both our customers and staff. Frog Rental are able to support our fleet needs in a flexible and professional manner, resulting in less down time and an increase in our operating Profits".

The fleet has been supplied within a comprehensive maintenance packge. Breakdowns, Service, Tyres and Windscreen damage can be managed through one phone number, allowing Periodic Cleaning to concentrate on its core business.

As a fleet owner, you have to make important decisions every day in order to keep your fleet at the top of the food chain. And while decisions on fleet-wide changes are the most daunting, they are also the most critical. Maintaining an up-to-date fleet lowers operation costs, increases efficiency, attracts quality drivers, and proves to potential customers that their supplier is the right choice for their needs. You wouldn’t walk into an interview in shorts, a teeshirt, and open-toed sandals, and expect to come out with a job. Style matters, and your fleet’s appearance is important to anyone browsing for a cleaning partner. If your fleet is composed of old, hardly maintained trucks, your potential customers are going to assume that every aspect of your business is similarly maintained.

Reduced Maintenance

The older the fleet, the more prone it is to break downs and problems.

New fleet allows us to continue to encourage our employees to drive more efficiently and help to cut fuel bills significantly (according to the Energy Savings Trust, savings of 15% can be achieved). Drivers doing 12,000 miles a year can make average savings of around £250 each year just by improving their driving habits.

The suggested driver tips to help achieve these savings include:

Better use of gears

When accelerating, engine revs should be kept low. Drivers should change gear early (often below 2,000rpm). Where appropriate, change gears in a ‘block’ when accelerating, for example third to fifth, and adopt the same principle when changing down through the gears to slow down.

Slow down

The faster you go the greater the fuel consumption and pollution. (This seems obvious and we’ve covered this topic later within this guide).

Keep tyres at the right pressure

Tyres running at the wrong pressure aren’t just a safety concern but also wear much faster. Additionally they increase fuel consumption to a degree that many fleet managers find surprising. According to AutoTrader, driving with under-inflated tyres can reduce fuel economy by up to 10%. Tyre pressures should be checked regularly and before long journeys. Consider issuing drivers with handheld tyre pressure monitors and make it part of their responsibility to frequently check their tyres.

Cut down on air conditioning use

Air-conditioning increases fuel consumption at low speeds, but at higher speeds the effects are less noticeable. If it's a hot day open the windows around town and save the air conditioning for high speed driving. (At speeds below around 35-40mph it’s more efficient to open a window). Don't leave air-conditioning on all the time but aim to run it at least once a week throughout the year to maintain the system in good condition.

Remove roof racks and roof bars when not needed

A large roof rack or roof box can increase fuel consumption by as much as 30% at motorway speeds.

Stuck in a jam? Switch off

According to ‘Fleet News’, research says that if your vehicle is going to be stationary for more than 20 seconds you’ll see a fuel saving from turning your engine off, but the amount saved will be small – around 0.5 litres per hour. The AA recommends switching it off if you’re likely to be stopped for more than three minutes.

Remove clutter from the Van

Unless your boot is fully loaded with unnecessary heavy items the potential to make savings will be very small. However, any saving should be seen as a good saving!