Introduction
Since its inception over 30 years ago by Dave Rees, Vanliners has consistently delivered innovative and reliable solutions to meet diverse customer needs. Now under the banner of VL Group®, along with the main three divisions Vanliners, VL Systems® and VL Bodies®, they have built a strong reputation for quality, customer service, and craftsmanship, establishing a market leading position in vehicle conversions.
In 2019, VL Group® acquired new premises to support its ongoing growth. Despite the disruptions, uncertainty, and restrictions caused by the pandemic that followed, the company continued to make significant investments to address the current and future needs of the business and its customers.
Essential Fleet Manager Magazine recently sat down with Director Janine Rees and Sales Director Shaun Taylor. Sadly, Vanliners founder Dave Rees passed away in December 2024. Dave’s hard work and vision are clearly the foundation to VL Group’s current and future successes.
We discussed with Janine and Shaun how the company’s values and expertise have contributed to its growth and how they plan to continue building on Dave’s legacy in the years to come.
Interview
Firstly, Janine was keen to describe the company culture that is the foundation of VL Group’s success now and into the future.
My best description of VL Group® is that it operates as a family foundation with a corporate structure. In practice, this means that we integrate “family” values into a highly professional operation that embraces, encourages, and nurtures the skills of all our employees. For example, we have staff members who started with us as apprentices or straight out of school and have now advanced to senior positions.
Throughout our journey, we have focused on empowering individuals and listening to their opinions and ideas, and we have found this vital for driving the business forward.
We pride ourselves on making everyone feel truly valued; it fosters a genuine passion for their work!
We then asked Janine to explain further about the decision to move to the new premises and how it has benefited the business.
We recognised that relocating would support our growth and that the new site would enable us to centralise all our activities in one location.
No one could have predicted the pandemic and the significant challenges and disruption it brought to the country. However, throughout 2020 and 2021, we continued to invest and maintained our level of customer service, quickly returning to a full-staff complement when restrictions were eased.
The move to the new premises was completed in December 2023, and since then, we have been making significant progress.
As a company, we put a real emphasis on teamwork, and it is vital to have regular engagement among all employees. The move facilitates this, benefiting both our valued team and customers.
Overall, we have found our new site to be far more efficient than our previous split-site arrangement. We have space to securely store over 400 vehicles on-site. This capacity allows us to meet even our largest demands without interruption. Furthermore, our proximity to the M6 and the wider motorway network supports our commitment to providing nationwide mobile customer service.
VL Group® works with an increasing number of key fleet customers, so we asked Shaun to explain what conversion options they offer to support these clients.
We work with various organisations, including Dealerships, Housing Associations, Infrastructure Management, Local Authorities, Rental Businesses and Utilities. Our objective is to provide support that accommodates the varying requirements of all our customers. Regardless of the size or complexity of the fleet, we will offer both innovative designs and competitive pricing.
From the initial enquiry to the delivery of the finished vehicle, our commitment to quality and effective communication guides us through the entire process.
Our production site allows us to deliver a complete conversion service for our customers. Additionally, we have a team of skilled mobile fitters who can work off-site at customers’ premises, reducing vehicle movement costs and vehicle downtime. Our off-site team maintains the same level of professionalism found at our production facility here at VL Group®. Our mobile fitters can install everything from standard linings and racking to roof-mounted accessories and deadlocks for added security. By offering this mobile service, we aim to demonstrate that we can operate anywhere in the country, setting ourselves apart from our competitors.
Our commercial bodybuilder division, VL Bodies®, specialises in chassis-cab conversions, including tippers and traffic management, and we also convert vehicles equipped with lifting equipment.
It is very important to protect the interior of your vehicles, and we provide specialised vehicle linings tailored to any configuration. These include plywood, plastic and polymer linings. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, our plywood linings are FSC certified, meaning they are sourced responsibly, our plastic linings are made from 100% UK recycled waste products, and the polymer linings are applied to provide a fully sealed waterproof coating, suitable for jetting unit conversions.
Our racking conversions can be fitted with every conceivable shelving configuration, we offer both modular steel / aluminium options and steel framed VL® Eco-Lite racking. These greatly enhance efficiency while also providing a clean and professional appearance. These options also come with a variety of accessories and storage solutions.
We also supply a range of aftermarket accessories that enhance vehicle safety and security. From roof mounted ladder loading systems and high-visibility access steps and handles, to high security external locks and shielding, we cover everything that can be fitted in or on to a van.
We then asked Shaun to explain the process from the initial engagement with fleet customers to the finalisation of the finished conversion.
Our engagement with the customer begins with their initial enquiry. During this time, we actively listen and seek to understand their specific needs. We then discuss the tailored, fit-for-purpose solutions VL Group® can offer to meet those requirements.
To turn the initial concept into a tangible reality, our talented design team utilises their extensive knowledge and expertise to guide our customers through every step of the vehicle conversion process. This approach ensures that we not only meet customer expectations but also exceed them.
After reviewing the initial conversion requirements with the customer, our team carefully considers all necessary specifications during the design phase. Using our 3D software, we create an accurate digital model that visually represents the concept and incorporates all the custom requirements specified by the customer.
Once the design is finalised, it transitions smoothly to our production team. We then arrange the logistics to guarantee a seamless workflow.
As the vehicles arrive at our facility, the manufacturing phase begins. Throughout this period, our dedicated customer service team maintains regular contact with the customer at every stage of the conversion process, providing them with peace of mind as we bring their vision to life.
Once the vehicle conversion is complete and the livery has been applied, we conduct a thorough quality check and comprehensive inspection to ensure everything meets our high standards. After this process, we coordinate the collection of the vehicle with the customer, ensuring a seamless handover experience. The handover period is a key opportunity to provide a detailed explanation of the vehicle’s key features. We can demonstrate how to get the most out of your newly converted van.
Many organisations are required to support operatives while working in remote locations. How can VL Systems® help with this?
To support operatives working remotely at job sites with limited or no access to welfare facilities, our team has developed the VL Systems® Welfare Van.
These self-contained vehicles provide essential amenities, including toilets, handwashing stations, and designated areas for relaxation and dining. Essentially, they offer services comparable to those found in permanent welfare units.
We can integrate the latest technology to enhance the team’s experience, including high-speed Wi-Fi and advanced climate control. Customers can also choose eco-friendly features such as solar panels and energy-efficient appliances to minimise environmental impact. Additionally, we prioritise safety by equipping the van with a comprehensive range of health and safety equipment, ensuring a secure and healthy environment for employees.
Key features of the Welfare Van and options include:
- Private W.C fitted with a waste tank
- Canteen areas with Sink with hot and cold water
- Microwave oven
- Dedicated first aid and sanitary stations
- Ergonomic seating and tables with integrated sockets and USB A-to-C ports
- Internal heating control panel
- Comprehensive interior eco-lighting
- USB A/C charging points
- Overhead storage compartments
- Power provided by Clayton Power’s lithium power bank LPS II
- Deadlocks for enhanced security
- Chapter 8 regulation livery, front and rear LED beacons
- Rear parking sensors and camera
- Four deadlocks to all doors
Shaun emphasised the innovative systems and fittings that ensure VL Group® conversions meet high standards, exceed customer expectations, and prioritise sustainability.
We are committed to delivering our products in the most sustainable manner possible. With this in mind, when we relocated to our current site, we made substantial investments to enhance efficiency and waste management. This included the purchase of a biomass boiler that converts all waste wood into heating and hot water for the whole of our 3-acre site.
It’s also important to note that the plastics used in our VL® Eco-Lite racking and van lining solutions are made from 100% recycled materials and are fully recyclable. We don’t just meet basic requirements; we also pay attention to the geographical sourcing of materials. After all, what’s the point of using recycled materials that originate from thousands of miles away? Therefore, our aim for 2025 is to source all our plastic sheets from recycled material which is generated from waste produced within the UK.
The lightweight nature of our materials plays a significant role in sustainability by contributing to fuel efficiency and preserving the range of Electric Vehicles (EVs). This principle applies throughout our conversions, as we prioritise lightness without sacrificing durability. Our VL® Eco-Lite racking maximises storage by fitting to the van’s contours and can be transferred to the same model of van, gaining an extra life cycle. Alternatively, our modular racking systems can be transferred without restrictions.
Additionally, the steel used in our conversions, whether as the framework for the racking system or as the primary material in chassis conversions through our VL Bodies® division, is also recycled. For us, sustainability means utilising recycled materials sourced domestically whenever possible and ensuring that they can be recycled or reused again.
We are proud to collaborate with supplier partners who help us incorporate even more functionality and sustainability into our conversions. A great example of this is the Clayton Power Lithium Power Supply, which provides onboard power for our Welfare Van. Without this system, the vehicle’s engine would need to idle to power amenities like heating or a microwave, leading to negative environmental impacts and increased fuel costs.
Janine highlighted how the expertise and successes of VL Group® have been recognised.
We are extremely proud to be an approved Ford Pro Converter. This achievement required us to go through a rigorous process, during which we documented and demonstrated that we meet the highest manufacturing standards and conduct thorough quality audits. As a Ford Pro Converter, we can deliver high-quality and reliable vehicle conversions that our customers can trust.
In our role as an approved converter, we work directly with the Ford network to meet large fleet requirements, recognising our responsibility to uphold Ford’s reputation. Additionally, our company is accredited by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), the designated UK Type Approval Authority for automotive products. This accreditation ensures that our conversions fully comply with Type Approval regulations, providing our customers with complete confidence and alleviating any concerns about lengthy approval processes.
We are also proud members of Investors in People, which highlights our commitment to our employees and the value we place on their contributions.
Furthermore, we are proud members of Made in Britain. We believe it is essential to promote and support the manufacturing sector. As a British manufacturer, we strive to source our materials from British suppliers whenever possible, including our recycled waste. This commitment not only supports local economies and employment but also contributes to the development of skills and has a positive environmental impact through shorter supply chains.
The needs of fleets are rapidly evolving, so Shaun was keen to discuss how VL Group® will continue innovating to meet future requirements for its customers.
I have outlined how sustainability is integrated into all our processes, and this focus will only strengthen as fleets transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs). There are specific considerations for EVs that require careful attention, such as avoiding damage to the underfloor main battery with flooring fittings and working carefully around high-voltage components. To address these concerns, we have made significant investments in training our team, ensuring they are qualified and safe to work on EVs.
It’s also important to note that the features of our conversions that reduce vehicle emissions contribute to preserving the range of an EV. This means customers can trust that their vehicles can handle demanding tasks without any compromise.
Looking ahead, we are committed to continual improvement. We will achieve this through collaboration with our customers, consistently seeking enhancements over the vehicles they have entrusted us to replace and developing innovative solutions. Additionally, we want to emphasise the importance of our employees; their expertise, ideas, and commitment are fundamental to our future success.
http://www.vanliners.co.ukTo see how VL Group®can help with your fleet conversion needs, get in touch t: 01204 399842 e: sales@vanliners or visit: www.vanliners.co.uk
This article was published in issue 1(2025) Essential Fleet Manager Magazine
