UK TYRE MARKET
Bandvulc upgrades fleet software BANDVULC
IS UPGRADING the Galahad fleet management software used by its 23 member Key Partner Network through the introduction of its ‘Gateway’ programme. According to the company, the Gateway portal will assist key partners in their management of BTC business and provide them with ‘tools’ with which to enhance their own operations and sales. Galahad Gateway is said to enable checks of vehicle history, tyre policy and numerous other facts at the touch of a button. It also provides them with access to downloads such as marketing information, brochures and updates as well as various forms and procedures. Customer sales packs will be accessible through the portal as well as information on new and retread tyre ranges supplied by or through Bandvulc, together with pricing, availability and ordering. Bandvulc’s unique SWORD programme represents another development. This new app enables fleet inspections via android phones and tablets eliminating the need for a PC. Inspection data entered through SWORD links directly to the Galahad fleet list meaning no additional administration is necessary. User can also view inspection progress of a fleet from a mobile. Since September 2012 96,000 tyres have been inspected through Galahad SWORD and the system is designed to manage even the largest BTC fleets. A team of in-house programmers is said to be key to providing this bespoke software, with work further develop Galahad SWORD constantly underway. “Our new SWORD software package is the latest and most advanced system on the market. It has been developed by working in conjunction with some of our key partners thereby ensuring that we provide them with something they are keen to use and which they and the end-user benefit from greatly”, commented director Ryan O’Connell, adding: “Considerable investment has also been made to ensure the system is
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as safe and secure as possible.” Bandvulc sees its Key Partner Network as an extension of its business and as such looks for the same high level of service and quality as it demands from its own operations. All service providers have to fulfil pre-set minimum requirements before they are eligible to join BTC including annual insurance and waste licence checks, quality system audits, training, adherence to policy charters and compliance to customer requirements. Such assessments are part of BTC’s everyday activity and service providers receive annual certificates to confirm they are operating to BTC’s instructions. Service Level Agreements for each fleet detail all the work that needs to be undertaken on
each of the fleets by the service provider. This is supported by BTC conducting site checks utilising its fleet auditing team to ensure policy adherence and service levels are maintained to high standards. Philip West, Bandvulc Group Commercial Director is fully convinced of the benefit Bandvulc’s KP Network has brought to the business, in all commercial activities: “Sales to Bandvulc/BTC through our Key Partner Network grew by 8 per cent last year. This is excellent news in today’s economic climate. We see our partners as key in what is a challenging, fast pace industry. Supporting and providing them with every advantage possible is a win all round, for customers, key partners and ourselves”. cja
German fleet extends supply deal SRH Hamburg has extended its fleet contract with Bandvulc Tyres in conjunction with Vergölst GmbH, Bandvulc’s exclusive service provider partner in Germany. This means an extension of three years on the Wastemaster MKIII tyre, much to the delight of Simon Arnold, Bandvulc’s overseas busiHamburg’s sanitation department (SRH) is the city’s largest Environmental Services ness development manager: provider “This is great news and means that, along with recent continuations and extensions with BSR Berlin and AWM Munich, we have successfully retained the three largest city councils in Germany. We will continue to supply these prestigious organisations with Wastemaster products as well as other tyres from our retread range. The environmentally-friendly Wastemaster is their nominated policy tyre, as it works so well for them. During initial three-year contracts with these councils the Wastemaster has proven its reputation for high puncture/tear resistance and its versatility in both regional and urban environments. It has also undergone rigorous testing within the councils and by external partners”. Simon Arnold added: “Securing the largest German councils is testament to the performance that our Wastemaster tyre offers. Now well proven within these councils, ongoing testing of the product in all aspects against other tyre makes, continues to confirm the Wastemaster’s unparalleled attributes”. Hamburg’s sanitation department (Stadtreinigung Hamburg ‘SRH’) is the city’s largest Environmental Services provider in the field of waste management. With around 2,450 employees, SRH offers both comprehensive recycling waste disposal and cleaning services for public, commercial and private clients. As a public sector waste management and certified waste management company SRH collects, transports, stores and treats the waste of some 885,000 households and 100,000 businesses. cja
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TYRES & ACCESSORIES 3/2013