Business leaders who are keen to keep a tight rein on the rising cost of motoring are being urged to consider a new fleet vehicle management system which could help them get better value for money and control spending.

Companies across the UK could save thousands of pounds each year and valuable time if they were to use the Flexible Fleet Management system when sourcing and maintaining their vehicles, according to Phil Roberts (pictured right). The potential savings could have a huge impact on firms of all sizes.

Announcing the launch of the new system Phil, managing director of Staffordshire-based Flexible Vehicles, said: “The pressure on businesses to control costs has always been intense. The current economic climate combined with the rising price of fuel and insurance means that it is more important than ever to think smarter about how and where savings can be made.

“When it comes to operating a fleet of company vehicles there can be no doubt that increased knowledge leads to decreased costs. Our new Flexible Fleet Management System allows businesses to concentrate on their core business and not become involved in the everyday problems associated with operating both company vehicles and the ever increasing grey fleet vehicles.

“Typically clients are drawn to an effective monthly cost, paying little attention to fuel, maintenance, and tax implications costs. We endeavour to provide this information to enable the client to make a clear and informed decision at the start of the vehicle contract process. The system gives you all the tools to save you time and reduce your costs.

“We have conducted extensive market research with business people and have found that finance directors and fleet managers have welcomed the Flexible Fleet Management System. They appreciate how it can very simply increase knowledge and decreases their costs on a live real time platform.”

He added: “The system allows us to manage multiple suppliers through one system, thus avoiding the usual nonsense where one supplier will attract the business before slowly increasing the rates. All the reporting is carried out online.”

The impressive new system is all encompassing and includes:

Fuel record usage and mileage collation

• Help with Duty of Care responsibilities
• Life-time costs on each vehicle quoted
• P46 and PIID reporting
• Managed Multiple Credit Line
• Notifications of servicing and MOTs

Since its launch in 1996, Flexible Vehicles has delivered more than 20,000 vehicles to business and personal customers across the UK. It has the ability to supply vehicles for periods from three months to four years. Services include contract hire and leasing, personal lease, vehicle finance, vehicle rental, outright purchase and commercial vehicles.  Its Flexible Fleet Management system also allows companies to focus on their core business and not become distracted by the everyday problems associated with operating company vehicles and the ever-increasing grey fleet vehicles.

A car leasing specialist is celebrating the 15^th anniversary of the launch of its ground-breaking flexible short term contracts.

Phil Roberts said Flexible Vehicle Contracts was the first company in its sector to develop the Flexi-Contract – a product designed to provide businesses with the flexibility of having a vehicle but without the long-term commitment.

Phil, managing director of the Staffordshire-based company, said: “Over the years our first product has often been imitated and we seem to have gained a lot of flexible friends in the industry who have recognised what a great product it is.

“Fifteen years after we first launched Flexi-Contract the benefits it brings customers are as relevant and as important as ever. As we said in our marketing material way back in 1996 – ‘our Flexi-Contract was developed as a way of providing a vehicle rental deal that is suitable for the rapidly evolving business world’.

“In today’s turbulent economy benefits such as low initial outlay, contracts from one month upwards, fixed cost motoring, and service and breakdown cover included, are extremely attractive to companies. They may be recruiting staff on probationary periods, experiencing an increase in business, new companies trying to build a client base – Flexi-Contract can be used in any number of situations.”

He added: “With the uncertainty caused by the economic situation the product is as relevant as it has ever been. Our products bridge the gap between expensive daily rental and the commitment of traditional long-term contracts. For those unsure of how the economic climate will affect them it is the ideal product to give them the flexibility to alter their vehicles depending on circumstances.”

There has been a proliferation of similar products in recent years, he said. “If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I am extremely flattered but I am also very proud that our first product is still going strong – and helping businesses to succeed.”

Since its launch in 1996, Barton-under-Needwood-based Flexible Vehicles has delivered more than 20,000 vehicles to business and personal customers across the UK. It has the ability to supply vehicles for periods from three months to four years.

Services include contract hire and leasing, personal lease, vehicle finance, vehicle rental, outright purchase and commercial vehicles. Its Flexible Fleet Management system also allows companies to focus on their core business and not become distracted by the everyday problems associated with operating company vehicles and the ever-increasing grey fleet vehicles.

A Staffordshire businessman has called on Chancellor George Osborne to give the economy a much-needed kick-start when he delivers his Autumn Statement next week.

Phil Roberts, managing director of Barton-under-Needwood based fleet vehicle specialists Flexible Vehicle Contracts, said urgent action is needed to support business and create job opportunities.

Phil, who established the business 15 years ago, said: “I think that a reduction in the current VAT rate is overdue and could give the economy the kick-start it so desperately needs.

“I believe the Government made the wrong choice to increase VAT rather than National Insurance. Simply put, if I am a business owner employing staff, that means I’m reasonably happy with the state of my business. National Insurance is effectively a tax on me employing staff and we need staff when we are doing well!

“So paying an extra one per cent NI is negligible and would not have an adverse effect on my business. However, the increase in VAT has a direct impact on individuals and on our retail business. It increases costs and makes the products we are selling less attractive which could result in less business, less income for HMRC and, in the long term, may have a negative effect on staffing levels.”

Chancellor George Osborne is under pressure to help businesses fighting the recent economic turmoil with a range of tax incentives and support when he delivers his Autumn Statement on Tuesday, November 29.

Since its launch in 1996, Flexible Vehicles has delivered more than 20,000 vehicles to business and personal customers across the UK. It has the ability to supply vehicles for periods from three months to four years. Services include contract hire and leasing, personal lease, vehicle finance, vehicle rental, outright purchase and commercial vehicles. Its Flexible Fleet Management system also allows companies to focus on their core business and not become distracted by the everyday problems associated with operating company vehicles and the ever-increasing grey fleet vehicles

Companies searching for cars for employees are being advised that apparently low headline lease rates may not tell the full story. What appears to be a cost-effective company car could actually cost hundreds of pounds per year more than an alternative vehicle that appears more expensive when just looking at the monthly lease cost, according to Staffordshire-based Flexible Vehicle Contracts.

The full effects of fuel efficiency, insurance maintenance costs, and tax implications, should always be taken into account, said managing director Phil Roberts.

“It’s a real problem and hundreds of companies are being caught out because they are not considering the total cost of leasing a vehicle. My message to businesses is don’t be guided too much by the monthly lease costs.”

Flexible Vehicle Contracts now offers a service quoting the whole life costs of vehicles.

Phil said: “We recently guided one business through the process and were able to improve both the marque and specification on each vehicle by running the whole life cost quote. For example, just because a BMW may cost more than a Ford it doesn’t necessarily mean the operating costs are more.

“Far too often clients and potential clients get wrapped up in the monthly headline lease rate cost of a vehicle. Clients’ budgets tend to only involve a certain amount per month to cover the lease cost, and this is often their primary concern.

“Not enough attention is being paid to the whole life costs of vehicles including such costs as fuel mpg, insurance, maintenance and tax implications. We are advising both business and personal clients to order vehicles based on these whole life costs rather than the headline monthly rates. In many cases cars with a higher headline lease rate will work out cheaper over the term of the contract due to better fuel efficiency and lower tax rates.”

He added: “We are determined to arm our clients will all the knowledge they need to make informed decisions on their vehicle choices. We want our clients to know from the outset their actual running costs so that they don’t get a nasty shock months down the line.”

Since its launch in 1996, Flexible Vehicles has delivered more than 20,000 vehicles to business and personal customers across the UK. It has the ability to supply vehicles for periods from three months to four years. Services include contract hire and leasing, personal lease, vehicle finance, vehicle rental, outright purchase and commercial vehicles. Its Flexible Fleet Management system also allows companies to focus on their core business and not become distracted by the everyday problems associated with operating company vehicles and the ever-increasing grey fleet vehicles.

A West Midlands vehicle contracts specialist is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the launch of its business with the delivery of the latest batch of new cars to its first ever customer.

Flexible Vehicle Contracts is still supplying vehicles to leading print technology provider Alto Digital – the company’s first customer when it was established in 1996.

Over the 15 years that the two companies have operated in partnership, Flexible Vehicles has supplied more than 1,000 cars to Alto Digital, mostly on short-term leases for new recruits as the business has grown.

Phil Roberts, director of Flexible Vehicle Contracts, of Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire, said: “It’s a sign of the strength of the relationship between our two companies that we are still supplying vehicles to Alto Digital 15 years after we delivered our first car to them.

“I think that says a lot about the levels of service we’ve delivered over the years and it’s why so many of our customers come back to us for vehicles time and time again. We’ve provided Alto Digital with more than 1,000 cars and they have been a very important customer for us but I like to think the relationship has been mutually beneficial.”

He added: “We always react rapidly to their requirements as and when they change. Most of the vehicles we have supplied have been on short-term leases for new recruits while they wait for their long-term car to be delivered. A company of Alto Digital’s size also find the short term contracts useful to increase or decrease their fleet size quickly. Our service is aimed at the rapidly evolving business world. Alto Digital’s business has grown enormously and we have moved with them.”

Alto Digital has a fleet of around 150 vehicles. Facilities manager Mike Winyard recently took delivery at the company’s Kingswinford base of the latest new cars from Flexible Vehicles.

He said: “Flexible are a key supplier to me. They provide a diversified product range, at a competitive price. On top of this, where they truly excel, is their customer service. Problems with vehicles happen. I find it is at these times where you find the true strength of a supplier, and in 15 years I have never been let down. Over the years I have recommended Flexible many times and will continue to do so.”

Over the last 15 years Flexible Vehicles has supplied more than 20,000 vehicles to business and personal customers across the UK. It has the ability to supply vehicles for periods from three months to four years. Services include contract hire and leasing, personal lease, vehicle finance, vehicle rental, outright purchase and commercial vehicles. Its Flexible Fleet Management system also allows companies to focus on their core business and not become distracted by the everyday problems associated with operating company vehicles and the ever increasing grey fleet vehicles.

First we brought you the BMW X1 on short term contracts.....leading the way in the short term leasing world we are delighted to tell you that we are now able to offer you the NEW MINI COOPER DIESEL COUNTRYMAN ALL4 on our very own Flexi-Contract product!  Available to you in both manual and automatic, this 4 wheel drive little beauty, affectionately dubbed as the Maxi Mini, is sure to get you noticed in the crowd! Give us a call on 0845 051 4440, check out our website, tweet us or "Like" us to be kept informed of the latest news and offers.