FLEET MANAGEMENT: RACKING & STORAGE


continued from p27


of Bri-Stor’s staff have now complet- ed the necessary training to work on EVs safely.


The company also works for the AA, Network Rail, Murphy, the RAC, Open- reach and many others. It even has a de-fleet capability for some of its larger customers, along with kitting-out and handover facilities, that can include putting tools into the new vans ready for the engineer to simply drive away. That said, smaller fleets and individ-


ual customers are equally welcome and they get exactly the same level of ser- vice. Indeed, with individual require- ments they benefit from the expertise that is required for larger fleet custom- ers, just in lower numbers. “We do get a lot of big fleets, but we


have smaller customers too,” said sales manager Jack Draper. “We’re trying to branch out more, to keep our big fleet work, but to get more of the SME market too. We can do smaller volumes and all customers are treated exactly the same.”


Digital portal


One feature that fleets of all sizes have welcomed is Bri-Stor’s digital customer portal. Customers can log on through Bri-Stor’s website to a digital section that is dedicated solely to their vehi- cles. The page provides vehicle docu-


mentation for every conversion, in- cluding parts supplied to the vehicle and replacement graphic designs for each van.


There are driver guides available and the portal provides ‘how-to’ and handover videos for drivers that can’t take delivery of the vehicle in person. Bri-Stor also puts easy-to-find QR codes within each vehicle, that take the driver to the videos directly through a smart- phone. “Almost all of our customers use the


portal, everything is done online these days,” said marketing executive, Victo- ria Taylor.


“


We’re trying to branch out more, to keep our big fleet work, but to get more of the SME market too.


Continued investment One important thing that is not done remotely, is investing in the business, both in terms of its facilities and in its staff. Even during the last year, Bri-Stor will have re-invested around £2 million in the manufacturing business and the company is considering expanding the site further, to make space for more than its current limit of around 2,000 vans. More importantly, the company is in- vesting in people. With a full apprentice


training centre on site, Bri-Stor takes on around 15 apprentices a year and manages to retain 92% of those skilled workers once fully trained. Apprentices are not just employed in the workshops though, the company will also put 11 higher apprentices onto university and college courses this year in IT, accounts, purchasing, marketing and engineer- ing disciplines. It’s little wonder that the company has staff that have been with the firm for more than 30 years.


Challenges ahead


Whatever the investment that is being made internally, Bri-Stor cannot help but be affected by external influences. As with every other sector of the LCV business, actually getting hold of vans is becoming increasingly difficult, as man- ufacturers struggle to keep up with de- mand. Bri-Stor has already seen some fleets push conversion work back, due to lack of vehicles, which will have an effect on its production figures this year. “The first quarter of next year has already exploded, if we can get the ve- hicles,” said Draper. Yet, the forward-looking company is already using this opportunity to look at new products and services. Expect to see a number of interesting initiatives on Bri-Stor’s stand at this year’s CV Show in September. You might even be able to get a haircut while you are there.


JULY 2021 • VANUSER 29


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