Pictured: Operational Manager Property Care, Pat Godfrey and Facilities and Transport Manager,Steve-Taylor
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is celebrating the arrival of brand new ‘environmentally friendlier’ vans provided by its vehicle partner, Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS).
The first set of new vehicles, which arrived at the housing association headquarters on Wednesday 22 July, have ‘Ad Blue’ technology to eliminate 99-9% of particulates making them kinder to the environment. The five-year contract with SFS comprises the provision and maintenance of approximately 90 vehicles to enable the Property and Neighbourhood Care teams to service over 11,000 houses across the borough. The remaining fleet is due to arrive by early 2021.
A key feature of the contract is to support the local economy and a number of Oldham-based organisations are working with SFS and FCHO to deliver the contract.
Dave Thomas, Head of Property Care at FCHO, said: “Supporting the local economy is one of our priorities as an organisation and now more than ever, businesses need our support due to the impact of coronavirus.
“The pandemic has hit many businesses extremely hard, so we’re making sure we’re using local suppliers wherever we can. We’ve developed great links with many Oldham-based companies over the years and we’re looking forward to furthering these positive working relationships with the arrival of our new fleet.
“As well as this, our new fleet is much better for the environment, so it’s a win-win.”
FCHO looks to renew their fleet every five years, with the most recent tender process occurring earlier this year. SFS were the successful winners for the fourth time running, providing a five-year contract hire package including full maintenance for each vehicle and proving to be the most cost-effective supplier time and time again.
SFS has been delivering contract hire, fleet and workshop management solutions to the public and private sector since 1992. The company has a network of workshops and operates its own municipal vehicle hire division, CTS Hire.
For more information about Specialist Fleet Services tel: 01604 234601; email info@sfs.co.uk; visit www.sfs.co.uk
