Univar exceeds customer delivery targets and fleet cost thanks to Prohire’s outstanding service

Leading global chemical and ingredient distributor, Univar Solutions urgently required a fleet provider to replace its ageing and inefficient tractor units.

Prohire won Univar Solutions’ tender and has since supplied 22 fuel-efficient DAF New Generation XG’s which are delivering 8% fuel savings. Since working with Prohire, Univar Solutions’ on-time delivery target of 95% has consistently been exceeded, often achieving 98%, 99% and 100% of deliveries on time each month. Univar Solutions UK was named ‘Fleet of the Year’ at the Fleet News Awards in 2023.

Prohire has become a trusted partner for Univar Solutions, with more tractor units ordered since the initial tender.

Challenges

In 2021, Univar Solutions needed to replace its ageing tractor units which were end-of-life and suffering from poor fuel consumption and a high level of off-road time.

The tractor units are part of Univar Solutions’s mixed fleet which works 24 hours a day, five days a week, distributing chemicals nationwide, including essential components for the pharmaceutical industry. Each vehicle, on average, clocks up 175,000km per year.

Univar Solutions was looking for a new fleet provider to work with them to hit their 95% on-time delivery target and achieve its 2050 Net Zero goal. Univar Solutions required a sustainable solution, and quickly. Prohire, who were recommended to Univar Solutions by DAF range supplier Lancashire DAF, tendered for the Univar Solutions tractor contract as one of three providers.

Solution

Since winning the tender, Prohire has sourced 22 brand new tractor units (DAF New Generation XG’s) for Univar Solutions. The new fleet of units are the latest, most modern and fuel-efficient tractor units in the UK and Europe and are delivering 8% fuel savings.

Prohire worked closely with Lancashire DAF to secure the vehicles, have them branded with new design livery and delivered to Univar Solutions within a tight schedule.

Prohire was the only provider to agree to work with Univar Solutions to achieve its delivery targets for customers. Since the companies have worked together, Univar Solutions’s on-time delivery target of 95% has been consistently exceeded, often achieving 98%, 99% and 100% of deliveries on time each month.

Univar Solutions UK was named ‘Fleet of the Year’ at the Fleet News Awards in 2023.

Prohire also supplied specialist equipment fitted on the vehicle to allow Univar Solutions to complete both high and low pressure deliveries from its fleet of road tankers or mini-bulk tanks.

As part of Prohire’s commitment to customer service, the Univar Solutions team has regular calls with their dedicated account manager as well as a monthly review with the company. This includes Prohire’s EV and alternative fuels division, ProGreen, advising which new technologies are suitable for the Univar Solutions fleet and supporting the company on its efficiency and sustainability journey.

Included in the contract is a replacement vehicle to cover MOT, breakdowns and VOR.

Results

  • 22 new vehicles supplied in line with Univar Solutions’ fleet replacement programmee
  • On-time delivery target of 95% consistently exceeded, often achieving 98%, 99% and 100% of deliveries on time each month
  • Dedicated point of contact for Univar Solutions means if any issue arises it is resolved quickly and the fleet is kept on the road
  • Replacement vehicle covers MOT, breakdowns and VOR, thus keeping the Univar Solutions fleet on the road

Prohire beat their competitors in a number of areas to support our business. Our tender process wasn’t all about cost, it was about value. We’re not after the cheapest, we’re after the best. We’re willing to pay for great service as long as we get it and, with Prohire, we get it.

They’re not the cheapest or the most expensive, but they offer the best service by far. Put it this way, when we needed more tractor units we didn’t put it out to tender, we ordered them from Prohire as we knew they would provide the best service and their costs were in line with their previous tender submission.

We know Prohire wants to help us achieve our business goals. They understand our business and that, for us, the cost of a vehicle being off the road is higher than the cost of the repair. Prohire always gets the job done.

We have a dedicated account manager, who we speak to weekly, and all of the directors are involved and know us and our business. Prohire understands our sustainability targets and proactively suggests ways they can help, such as letting us try out new vehicles and technologies.

We look forward to continuing to work with Prohire, they are a hugely valued and trusted partner for Univar.

Mark Woodworth, Univar Solutions’ Transportation Director EMEA

Prohire manages Lindab’s multi-site national fleet, increasing vehicle up time and fleet efficiency

Ventilation and indoor climate system solutions developer,manufacturer and distributor Lindab, was left with an ageingfleet of 35 vehicles when its existing supplier exited the UK.

Prohire sourced and supplied brand new vehicles, including a bespoke build, on full contract hire and in line with Lindab’s replacement programme.


Pre-contract hire vehicles were provided to support Lindab whilst their new fleet was in build, enabling Lindab’s 22 branches to remain highly utilised and operational avoiding further unnecessary downtime and cost.


More vehicles are on order from Prohire which now manages Lindab’s multi-site national fleet.

Challenges

When its existing supplier exited the UK, Lindab’s fleet was automatically transferred to another fleet provider. Lindab was left with an ageing fleet of 35 vehicles comprising of different asset types including 3.5-tonne curtainside vans and 6×2 44-tonne articulated tractor units. The fleet was experiencing higher levels of breakdowns and VOR events.

Lindab was unhappy with the service provided by its new provider and the long lead times quoted to replace its current fleet.

Lindab was struggling to find a provider it could trust with its fleet requirements. It also wanted to increase vehicle up time and fleet efficiency. Lindab was also seeking a company that could provide additional vehicles and trailers to support its peak requirements.

Solution

Thanks to Prohire being proactive, and its agility in the market, Prohire had available stock and was able to source and supply brand new 3.5-tonne Mercedes chassis and brand new 3-star rated 6×2 DAF XF480 New Generation 44-tonne tractor units on full contract hire and in line with Lindab’s replacement programme. The 3.5 tonne curtainside vans were a bespoke build to Lindab enabling it to carry the required lengths of product to its customers nationwide.

In addition to providing brand new vehicles, Prohire was able to supply pre-contract hire vehicles whilst their new vehicles were on order and in build. This alleviated the breakdowns and VOR of Lindab’s current fleet and, crucially, enabled Lindab’s 22 branches to remain highly utilised and operational avoiding further unnecessary downtime and cost.

The four 6×2 DAF XF480 New Generation tractor units and 19 Mercedes Sprinter 3.5 tonne curtainside vans with bespoke bodies have been supplied on full service contract hire. All vehicles have been painted in Lindab’s striking blue livery and include names for each vehicle.

To improve efficiency, the new vehicles have been fitted with Geotab telematics which allow Lindab to monitor fleet driver behaviour, vehicle performance, journey planning and downtime. Included in the contract is a replacement vehicle to cover MOT, breakdowns and VOR. Prohire also provide full tyre management services including replacement tyres within the contract.

More vehicles are on order from Prohire which now manages Lindab’s multi-site national fleet. The two companies have built a collaborative partnership and the next stage of the journey will be looking at supporting Lindab’s sustainability strategy and their transition across to electric vehicles.

Results

  • 23 new vehicles supplied in line with Lindab’s fleet replacement programme
  • Pre-contract hire vehicles provided to support Lindab whilst their new fleet is in build
  • Fleet management services provided by Prohire help improve efficiencies
  • Lindab has been supported through the dehire process by Prohire’s Fleet Logic Accident Management Team to minimise damage and repair costs

We have been blown away by the team at Prohire, who are passionate to making a difference when it comes to our fleet and have become a valued and trusted part of our team.

Prohire are agile and responsive, making quick decisions and using their expertise to help our fleet to be the best it can be. Our fleet is now more efficient than ever and thanks to Geotab, downtime is minimised.

Their ability to supply pre-contract hire vehicles whilst our new vehicles were on order has been crucial in ensuring we can continue to deliver the high standards of service that our customers expect.

Prohire are brilliant at communicating proactively with us rather than waiting for us to contact them. They keep us updated and don’t just disappear like previous suppliers. We speak to the same people regularly and we’ve built great relationships with the Prohire team.

Prohire come up with brilliant solutions and offer a high level of support. I would highly recommend them.

Chris Trapps, Lindab’s National Project Manager

We are delighted to partner with Lindab and become their preferred and trusted supplier of contract hire and fleet management solutions. We are an agile business, flexible in our approach and, more importantly, we listened to Lindab’s requirements and were able to provide the solutions they were looking for. We look forward to working with Lindab over the coming years.

Steve Williams, Group Sales Director at Prohire