The group has appointed LeasePlan UK to replace its fully owned fleet of up to 500 vehicles over the next four years. The first phase of the contract will see the delivery of 159 contract hire vehicles, and these primarily commercial vehicles will be used for mobile engineering and facilities management support.

As well as the fully maintained contract hire, LeasePlan will also provide limited daily rental services, an extended damage waiver, mileage pooling, glass and extended relief vehicle access. Alongside these core services, FES has also taken up the option of grey fleet management support, policy and commercial vehicles consultancy, reporting, telematics and an improvement programme.

To assist FES with the change from outright purchase to contract hire, LeasePlan is helping with employee communications regarding the new fleet arrangement and the explanation of the associated benefits to FES drivers.

Ian Maitland, director at FES, said: “The arrangement will bring real benefits to FES in terms of fuel and operational cost efficiencies, an expansive geographic support network that meets the growing demand of our UK-wide operations, improved sustainability through reduced carbon dioxide emissions and more importantly, ensuring we meet our duty of care responsibilities with improved driver safety through reliability and technology.

“Our vehicles have always set us apart from our competitors, our red vans displaying the pylon logo are a recognised brand for FES and as the company continues to grow and evolve, we are keen to see our vehicles continue to underpin the strength of the brand that is FES.”