Road Tests

Building supplies group BSS has switched from contract hiring its 320-strong fleet of trucks and vans to a maintenance-only contract deal with Stoke-on-Trent based Prohire. Fleet and distribution manager Shaun Stephenson says the new contract arrangement, which was finalised after "weeks of negotiation", promises simpler and more cost effective maintenance management for the BSS, PTS (Plumbing Trade Supplies) and F&P Wholesale liveried fleet. The Daf and Iveco trucks - most of them 7.5-tonners  - and Volkswagen vans serve BSS's 285 branch locations. There are also some tractor units and trailers.

Maintenance work under the BSS group contract will be largely sub-contracted to franchised and independent dealer workshops close to BSS's 66 main UK depots, from Aberdeen to Plymouth. The Prohire contract also covers provision of replacement vehicles for units off the road while being repaired. Prohire chairman and group managing director David Barlow (pictured) says: "This deal was service driven. The contract confirms we are specialists in our field, with a thorough understanding of large operators' requirements."

BSS group now owns the vehicles. Stephenson noted Prohire's "considerable growth over the past five years. It has a sustainable business model based on service". He declined to say which company or companies provided the contract hire arrangements, although MT reported that Artegy had a new agreement with PTS in May 2005. In January, Chester magistrates fined BSS £5,000 - the maximum penalty - after BSS pleaded guilty to operating a 7.5-tonner with seriously defective brakes.