A weekly roundup of fleet news from around Europe
Two heads are better than one at Alphabet
Go deeper with GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
The integration of ING Car Lease with new
owner Alphabet International has taken a further step with the
announcement of dual chief executives.
Norbert van den Eijnden, whose stewardship of
BMW-owned Alphabet oversaw the acquisition of ING Car Lease in July
2011, will be joined at the helm by Ed Frederiks, the former chief
executive of ING Car Lease.
The two have led the company through
integration as joint-CEOs and the arrangement is now formalised in
compliance with German regulations, which require the segregation
of front and back office operations.
Van den Eijnden will run the back office with
Eberhard Schrempf, who remains chief financial officer at Alphabet
International and Alphabet Germany, Jules Blijde, originally from
ING Car Lease, as chief operating officer and Menno Boekestijn who
joins as chief risk officer from Athlon Car Lease.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataFredericks will work with Christian Steiner,
who continues as head of mobility services at Alphabet, Eric
Lelarge joins from ING as head of international sales and Nancy
Storp, from Alphabet’s sales and marketing team, becomes head of
marketing and business development.
Alphabet said the dual chief executive
solution will ensure smooth integration of the two corporate
cultures.
Van den Eijnden said: “Our aim is to find
consensus through mutual support.”
Frederiks added: “We both have a strong
history in leasing. We know and understand each other well.”
Barclays Corporate involved in gritty
business
A £700,000 asset finance facility from
Barclays Corporate has helped UK snow clearance company GRITIT to
invest in new vehicles and gritting trailers.
Despite an unseasonably mild winter in the UK
the company, the first in the country to specialise in gritting and
snow clearance, increased sales in 2011 by 83% which prompted the
equipment investment.
GRITIT’s fleet now stands at 150, located in
92 depots across Scotland, the Midlands, North, South West, South
East and now Northern Ireland following recent expansion to the
region on the back of a number of contract wins and client
portfolio growth.
Matt Benham, financial director at GRITIT,
said: “At a time when access to funding is difficult for small
businesses, Barclays have been fantastic in ensuring the correct
support and financial facilities are available to enable continued
investment into the UK and aid the growth strategy of the business.
In Northern Ireland, where we have just launched, we are
investing over £1m and looking to create more than 80 new
employment opportunities in the next few years. We could not do
this without the continued support of Barclays.”
Jonathan Cooley, relationship director at
Barclays Corporate in Basingstoke, said: “GRITIT is a great example
of an innovative British business which has prospered during the
economic downturn. The company has enjoyed tremendous success over
a relatively short period of time and secured jobs at a challenging
time for the economy”.
Fleet Alliance hit
milestone
Fleet management and leasing firm Fleet
Alliance passed the landmark of 10,000 vehicles under management
with 17.5% year-on-year growth.
Martin Brown, Fleet Alliance managing
director, said the growth was the result of a strategic decision to
target the mid-size corporate sector to compliment the firm’s core
SME customer base.
A fleet of 10,075 vehicles would place the
Glasgow-based fleet manager in the top 20 the FN50 league table of
UK fleet firms.
Brown added products such as its e-fleet
management system and a maintenance product run in conjunction with
repair group Nationwide meant the company, which has also taken on
new staff, now offers a greater range of services.
“With our Flexi Hire rental solution, which
also saw very strong growth last year, and new products like Fleet
Repair, we feel that we have a more complete portfolio of products
and services to offer our clients. And, in addition, we have a
number of new initiatives planned for 2012,” he said.
grant.collinson@vrlfinancialnews.com
