At first glance, a Construction Company may not seem the obvious choice when seeking to purchase or lease a vehicle, regardless of its purpose, private or business. However, when you delve a little deeper, and recognise that said’ operation already runs a fleet in excess of 400 different vehicle types, for which they are highly reliant, it starts to become visably clearer.
That said, for an organisation that functions in a completely different market to have the foresight, let alone knowledge to suitably add this service to its portfolio is another challenge altogether. For many, such conceptulisations are ditched at the first sight of an obsticle, but not at Mick George Ltd.
So how does an organisation manage to get something like this off the ground? Simplisticly, they activate a long standing relationship with one of it’s vehicle suppliers. Ok, so it may not be quite as easy as suggested, but fortunately this supplier shares a vision and ethos matched by the business, which has consequently accelerated the launch.
The engine behind the new vehicle leasing division at Mick George Ltd is Steve Howell, and although he may not quite have reached the sales echolons as world renowned Joe Girard, Chevrolets top salesman, he certainly boasts strong credentials in this particular industry.
Having started out in Car Sales back in 1981, taking on Car demo’, cleaning and panel beating roles along the way, Steve became part owner of Neva Consultants in 1992, for which he played an integral part in building a £40 million revenue, turning over up to 2000 cars a year to satisfied clients, in the 25years that he worked for the company.
Steve’s association with Mick George Ltd dates back to the early 1990’s, when he was approached by Finance Director Jon Stump about the possibility of tracking down the much sought after BMW 323SE in Boston Green. You heard correctly, Boston Green. It was once a poular choice! Having accomplished that challenge, Steve became a close aquaintance of Jon’s, with many stories to tell over the years.
Both are married familymen, who share a mutual affinity with their beloved Arsenal, travelling up and down the country following the Gunners, from cup finals in Wales to holidays in Marbella, where the least said about Fire Extinguishers’ the better.
From here, personal relations blossomed, and Steve’s precurement experienced naturally progressed to him sourcing Company Cars, Vans, Lorries and Tipper trucks in large volumes for Mick George Ltd.
Given the close allegence of the two, you may be surprised why the decision to introduce a vehicle leasing service has taken as long as it has, which in itself highlights many of the complexities involved.
As we all know, the Car trading industry is littered with a stigma’ that to the day still exists , one of pressured sales, manipulation or deceipt, just to get a deal over-the-line. However, this is where Steve’s geunine passion, hunger and desire, has come in to it’s own. His personable qualities is one of his critical attributes, going against the grain of what is traditionally recognised in the industry.
Steve’s mantra if you like, without sounding to much of a cliché, is ‘to go the extra mile’, providing an unrivalled service and experience. This differs tremendously to other national competitors, brokers and manufacturers in the domain, who are merely in it for the short-haul, seeling one-off deals in volume, while making a quick-buck, by way of false advertising. One of Steve’s principle irritations.
And this is where the collaboration seems to dovetail nicely. Not only is the Mick George Brand a reputable one that is likely to withstand any negative coverage connected with the Car industry, but its emphasis on quality and service will be replocated within yet another field.
So what lies ahead? Due to a number of contributing variables, the car leasing market at present is particuarly boyant, and Steve expects that to remain the case in the near future.
Most notably, the ability to fix costs at much reduced rates, without the hassle of maintaining, or the risk of depreciating value, is an attractive proposition for consumers, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Government intervention is also doing its part, new ‘greener emmission’ regulations which impact on Tax expenditure has boosted this option for commercial outfits.
If early signs are anything to go by, it already appears to be a match-made-in-heaven. Established for less than a week, and two clients have already been secured, providing in one instance 25 Citreon Berlingo’s, and the other, 20 Mercedes C350E Hybrid vehicles for company car use.
Steve Howell, Vehicle Leasing Director at Mick George Ltd. commented: ‘’For me, the decision was easy to join Mick George Ltd. Commercial operators are continuoulsy seeking innovative methods to stay ahead of the game, tasked with adding value’ in one form or another. It’s often what sets those who are successful apart from those who sit back and become stagnate over a period of time.’’
Howell continued: ‘’You only have to look at the strategical diversification that Mick George Ltd have made in recent times, whereby they are complimenting their core business services, and are consequently reaping the rewards. With my experience, I anticipate this will be another example of that.‘’
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