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Welcome to the Winter Edition of our Newsletter - Fleet Express We received very positive feedback on our Autumn Edition so we are pleased that clients have read, enjoyed and found articles of interest. As you may be aware we took the decision to invest heavily in a new operating system last year which will be introduced in early 2013. We hope that disruption during the transition will be minimal but as always my team will be on hand to assist with any queries. May I take this opportunity to wish you, your families and colleagues a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.
If you have any feedback please contact me directly on aledwilliams@days.co.uk
Award Winning Technology Days Contract Hire invest in award winning technology to ‘add value’ for clients.
Key features and benefits of the new system include:
“Days Contract Hire is implementing the latest business software available from ‘Jaama’ which will introduce a host of online services and tools to enable clients to efficiently manage their fleet, compliance and drivers.
Online vehicle quotations
Jaama is a multi-award winning software company that has invested millions to ensure that their Key2 system is class leading. Jaama has won the Fleet News ‘Reader Recommended Software Supplier’ accolade and the ‘Best Contract Hire & Leasing System’ in the BusinessCar Techies Awards in 2012. Jaama are delighted that Days Contract Hire has chosen our system and that they recognise that the Key2 system will enable them to offer an industry-leading service to clients in an increasingly technology driven age.”
Martin Evans, Sales Director Jaama www.jaama.co.uk
Data Vision - allows clients to add vehicles, change driver/vehicle allocations and view information online relating to their fleet Customer Dashboard – this configurable customer dashboard allows clients to have direct access to key information and contains a comprehensive overview of operating costs, driver status/driver licence check results, fleet status and also the ability to book services / MOTs online Comprehensive online reporting functionality enabling clients to manage their fleet by exception - highlighting the areas that need further investigation thus saving time and resource An integrated Driver Licence validation service
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Client Driving Day
Featured in photograph: Susan Marsh (Road Skills) – James Duke (Days) – Martin Thompson (Michelin) – Simon Smith (Listers) – John Carter (Sandvik) – David Somers (Road Skills) - Alison Ronnie (Sandvik) – Alan Boulton (Sandvik)
Global engineering company Sandvik Ltd has been a client of Days Contract Hire for nearly 15 years and operates around 350 lease vehicles. They have co-ordinated a newly introduced Driver Safety Day with their driver training supplier Road Skills Ltd. The day raised awareness of the importance of driving techniques and correct vehicle maintenance.
James, Account Manager at Days Contract Hire, said: “We want our clients to run the safest fleets possible and believe it’s vital to educate employees in order to achieve this. Driver training, correct vehicle maintenance and tyre care should be a priority for all fleet managers. Sandvik are setting an excellent example to other businesses by holding this event”.
Throughout the day, qualified instructors taught Sandvik employees, from core staff to senior management from within its UK operation, driving techniques to reduce oversteer and understeer, improve emergency reactions, manoeuvring and off-road skills.
The event is part of Sandvik’s revised driver training programme and may be recommended by Days Contract Hire for other clients in the future.
The event, which took place at Donington Park Race Circuit, was organised by Sandvik Fleet Manager John Carter and David Somers, Director of Road Skills. Premium tyre manufacturer Michelin hosted a safety presentation covering the importance of correct tyre pressures and tread depths, the impact tyres have on handling and the benefits of cold weather tyres. Days Contract Hire has a full Michelin policy for all clients. James Eastwood-Duke, who manages Sandvik Holdings’ fleet of 350 vehicles attended the event and gave drivers information covering correct maintenance procedures including downloading and use of the Days driver phone app.
Michelin’s Key Account Manager, Paul Brady, said: “It is hugely important that drivers are aware of how to check their tyres correctly, as under-inflated or damaged tyres can adversely affect handling, wear and fuel consumption, as well as increasing the risk of a rapid deflation with potentially serious consequences. It’s really positive to see fleet companies like Sandvik responding to driver concerns.” David Somers, Director of Road Skills Ltd said “The very successful event is the latest element of the comprehensive Sandvik strategy to maintain vehicle driving in their core Health & Safety Policy, managing road risk equally alongside all other working tasks in the business”.
Driver Opinions “Very good, an experience that should be shared with all company car drivers. Some essential skills learnt” “Overall an excellent and very worthwhile learning experience. Excellent staff; friendly and informative” “The skills I learnt on the course could one day save my life”
Winter Edition
2013
www.dayscontracthire.co.uk
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Company
Charity Days Contract Hire entered into the spirit of ‘Movember’ with several members of staff taking part. The objective of the month long event is to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. It certainly entertained colleagues and clients alike as well as raising over £150 for Ty Olwen! Well done all!
What can Days Contract Hire offer? As well as our core funding products, we are also able to offer all clients the following ancillary services. Please note that the vehicle does not have to be funded by DCH for us to provide an associated service. DCH is set to continue its strong commitment to meeting clients’ needs, following the appointment of Jay Lovell to the newly-created role of Client Development Executive. Jay, who joined the company in 2004, will be responsible for ensuring that DCH’s clients are able to take full advantage of the ancillary services the company has to offer.
Accident Management Whether the accident is fault or non-fault, our Accident Management service will manage the insurance claim and repair of your vehicle from first notification to completion of repair To keep your driver on the road, a like-for-like hire vehicle is provided for non-fault accidents. Where your driver is at fault, we ensure a hire vehicle is supplied via our Flexi Hire service, or a courtesy car is provided by the garage Free of charge for the core service; only chargeable items are uninsured loss recovery and “notification-only” claims
Driver Licence Checking Check your drivers’ licence entitlements and current endorsements You set the frequency of the checks – either on a ‘one rule for all’ basis or different frequencies depending on number of current points Flag up drivers who have previously been banned or convicted of drink or drug-related driving offences Reduce the risk of allowing unlicensed or banned drivers using your vehicles
Telematics Award-winning vehicle tracking system Installation to new and existing fleet, anywhere in the UK Internet-based interface – log in from anywhere and see what your fleet is doing in real-time Keep track of your fleet utilisation and drivers’ hours, receive monthly MI reports, replay routes your driver has driven Can assist you in fulfilling your duty of care, health and safety and working time directive obligations Monitor driver habits and address concerns, such as harsh acceleration and braking – this can lead to a reduced accident rate and lower fuel bills
Fuel Cards Allow your drivers to purchase fuel at 8,000 sites in the UK including all oil company, supermarket and motorway brands Weekly, consolidated HMRC-approved VAT invoicing Daily suspect transactions report Online and scheduled reporting available
Motor Insurance Database DCH will provide vehicle registration details to the MID Remove the administrative burden from your organisation
Monthly reports showing current points for each driver on your fleet
Winter Edition
2013
www.dayscontracthire.co.uk
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Winter Driving
Winter Driving Checks Every winter Days Contract Hire receives numerous calls to our DriverLine regarding breakdown or an accident due to bad weather. A lot of these calls and situations could be avoided by drivers following simple advice and being sensible. Follow our tips below for safer and well prepared winter driving.
Regular Checks
Adverse weather and longer periods of darkness makes driving more hazardous. Sometimes conditions can be extreme, with prolonged periods of heavy snow and rain. In very bad conditions, avoid driving completely, unless you absolutely have to make the journey and driving is the only option. Different weather conditions create different hazards throughout the winter and in different areas of the country at the same time.
Lights are clean and working
Driving Tips
Windscreen, wiper blades and other windows are clean
Only travel at a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. Speed limits are the maximum in ideal conditions; in difficult conditions, they can often be too fast
Tyre condition, tread depth and pressure (of all the tyres, including the spare if your vehicle has one) Brakes are working well Fluids are kept topped up, especially windscreen wash (to the correct concentration to prevent it freezing), anti-freeze and oil
Ensure that Your Days Safety Bag is in the boot of your vehicle along with a blanket, bottled water, food and a snow shovel Your mobile phone is fully charged before you depart and you always take a car charger Add our DriverLine number into your phone –
0845 296 4423
Winter Edition
2013
To brake on ice and snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use your brakes gently Conversely when accelerating, use the highest gear possible in icy conditions to avoid wheel spin If visibility is poor during the day due to heavy rain, snow, fog or mist, use dipped headlights If visibility is seriously reduced, use rear fog lights, but remember to turn them off when visibility improves so as to not dazzle other road users
For more information contact: Rob Williams Account Manager robwilliams@days.co.uk www.dayscontracthire.co.uk
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Client Case Study
Following recent harsh winters, North Yorkshire County Council, one of Days Contract Hire’s largest public sector Clients managed by Roger Kelly, Sales Manager has decided to invest heavily in Cold Weather Tyres for both safety and mobility reasons for 45 of their Highways Vehicles.
In a strategically organised 3 days, a mobile ‘Rapid Fit’ team travelled over 850 miles fitting tyres at seven widespread NYCC highway depots throughout the county as far afield as Whitby through to Skipton, carrying out the initial change over from normal tyres to cold weather tyres on Peugeot Bipper and Ford Fiesta Vans
Following a mini-tender process carried out by NYCC for the initial supply and fitting of the specialist tyres, CEM Day Limited, parent company of Days Contract Hire was awarded the tender.
With Michelin being the preferred tyre manufacturer by DCH, their Alpine range of cold weather tyres were chosen. NYCC has decided to run the rest of the vehicle contracts on the cold weather tyres at their own additional costs. To ensure that replacement tyres will be available, local ATS Euromaster depots will hold stock specifically for the Council.
FAQs What is a ‘Days Driver Pack’? All vehicles are provided with a ‘Days Driver Pack’ at no cost to the client or driver. It includes GB Number Plates, Bespoke Carpet Mats (rubber mats in commercial vehicles), Drivers Seat Cover (commercial vehicles only), Tax Disc Holder, Leather Key Fob, Driver Handbook, and a Safety Bag containing: Warning Triangle, High-Vis Jacket, Wind Up Torch, First Aid Kit, Ice Scraper, De-Icer, Screen Wash and Latex Gloves. Please ensure that all drivers keep the safety bag in their vehicle - especially during the winter months when some of these items may become essential.
Winter Edition
2013
Days Driver Pack
www.dayscontracthire.co.uk