HomeServe, the UK’s leading home assistance provider, has taken another step on the road towards an all-Mercedes-Benz van fleet.
HomeServe delivers effortless service to its customers, offering a range of services including plumbing, drainage, electrics, heating, and much more through its nationwide network of approved engineers. Given this, it expects the same, high-quality service from its own suppliers. The Mercedes-Benz Dealer Network’s 24-hour maintenance and repair capability, and free MobiloVan roadside assistance support, were therefore crucial to its decision to switch to the three-pointed star.
HomeServe runs a fleet of just under 1,000 vans, in which two other brands have previously held sway. Their Mercedes-Benz successors are being supplied by Marshall Truck & Van and funded through contract hire agreements with sole leasing provider Arval.
The south coast Dealer’s Fleet Van Sales Manager Kevin Downham has just delivered another 16 fuel-efficient Vito Compacts. They were presented to HomeServe’s latest crop of newly-qualified plumbers at the company’s headquarters in Walsall, West Midlands, on the day of their graduations from the local college at which they completed their NVQ apprenticeships.
HomeServe has now commissioned more than 150 Vito models since last year. It also took 33 larger Sprinter 314 CDIs in 2016 and has added a further 26 in 2017, with another 29 still to be delivered before the end of the year.
The Vito 109 CDIs are powered by 1.6-litre engines with 88 hp outputs which drive the front wheels, and offer returns of 45.6 mpg in the combined cycle. Racked out by Telford-based QI Van Systems to carry tools, spare parts and accessories, they have all been allocated to plumbers.
The Sprinters, meanwhile, are Medium-length 314 CDI variants with 140 hp, 2.1-litre engines. Converted by Mobile Installation Solutions, of Doncaster, which installed washing facilities as well as racking, most have high roofs and are on drainage duties. The line-up also includes a handful of super-high variants which are used by HomeServe’s ‘multi-skill’ engineers – as the title suggests, these highly-trained individuals are able to provide a variety of services to customers.
The fleet includes smaller vans by a third manufacturer, which are operated by its gas maintenance division. The operator is now actively considering replacing these with Mercedes-Benz Citans.
HomeServe Head of Fleet John Finn said: “Our business believes that if we get things right for our people, they will get it right for our customers and the rest will take care of itself. This includes making sure everyone has the right tools to help them do their job well, which is particularly important for our engineers, who carry out over one million jobs every year.
“The move to Mercedes-Benz means we can get our vehicles maintained and repaired overnight by its Dealers, while we also benefit from excellent breakdown support. This, coupled with the inherent reliability for which the Sprinter and Vito are renowned, and our engineers’ feedback, all led to us choosing to work with them.”
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Vito come with a market-leading armoury of safety features and both have been well received by HomeServe’s engineers, who appreciate their comfort and all-round quality.
Mr Finn added: “Our partnership with Marshall Truck & Van has gone from strength to strength. From specification and ordering, through to delivery of our vehicles, the Dealer is fully engaged and keeps us updated throughout, which makes the process very straightforward for my team.”
Homeserve Membership has been recognised for its Customer Service and as a ‘Best Place to Work’. The company works alongside a number of major utility providers and also has offices in Banbury, Preston and Nottingham.
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