Stockholm-based Atlas Copco is an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. The firm, which had revenues of around 6 billion euros in 2009 and operates in 170 markets with more than 30,000 employees, operates a combined fleet of around 3,000 cars in Europe in a variety of countries.

Atlas Copco has outsourced the management of its European fleet to Fleet Logistics, beginning with a pilot project in France, where the fleet comprises around 300 cars. Pending a successful outcome from the 12-month project, the plan would be to roll out it out across other European countries, and possibly on a global basis in the future. 

Fleet Logistics will be introducing its Fleet Care fleet management solution, including multi-bidding as well as invoice management.

The move to outsourced fleet management has been overseen by Atlas Copco's Advanced Service and Administration Provider (ASAP), an internal service provider for business processes, including IT, HR, finance and purchasing.

Kim Kjaerulff, acting ASAP purchasing manager, said the company was looking to evaluate ways of changing the running of its fleet across Europe with a view to reducing costs and increasing control and transparency.

'We are looking to achieve a coordinated and consistent approach to the running of our European fleet with Fleet Logistics,' he said. 'This will include increased centralisation and transparency of data.

'Once we have shown what we can achieve with the more efficient running of the fleet in France, and we have clearer indication of what is possible, we then hope to persuade other internal customers within Atlas Copco to adopt this new approach,' he added.