ALLOY BODIES TEAMS UP WITH MEDIAFLEET
PROVIDING VEHICLE BRANDING SERVICES TO ERA
FREIGHTLINER, NEW DESIGNS CELEBRATING THEIR 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Mediafleet powers up it’s new expanded Witney Hub
SPRING 2026
Branding Britain’s Fleets
Please call our award winning team to discuss your fleet branding requirements.
Welcome ...
Few years I can remember have been more challenging in the fleet market than the 12 months since we last all convened at the NEC for our annual market get together. Not so much a headwind caused by orders or volumes, indeed its been very busy throughout with very little let-up on demand as interest in doing branding properly has continued to grow, but turbulence caused by rapidly evolving vehicle technology, changes in government regulation and the increasingly capricious nature of business in the 2020s. All of this has combined to make the fleet market a much less predictable landscape, with supply chain companies and partners needing to find another gear and prove themselves as more agile organisations able to react when their customers call for support. Being proficient in a particular technical field is now only a starter for 10, customers need more than this; they need a supply chain solution with proper workflow management, ownership and accountability. Above all, they need suppliers who can respond.
It is with a combined sense then of excitement at the opportunity and, I think a healthy level of apprehension, that Mediafleet has continued to invest in the market, expanding our Witney site and hub to incorporate additional workshops, capacity for over 1500 vehicles on site and logistics support . We will work with our partners to combine our creatively led branding operation with their conversion and racking expertise, all integrated as a project managed build solution. The fleet supply chain we are proud to represent doesn’t need the technical dilution of one-stops and all-in-ones, it deserves and needs more……a combined centre of excellence with co-ordination between specialist suppliers and proper management of the workflow. Reducing lead times and creating a more agile fleet supply chain mustn’t be at the expense of product quality or involve a compromise on branding potential and, as we look ahead to the next 12 months we will be aiming to demonstrate this via our newly upgraded Witney hub.
If the early collaborations, some of which we look at in the following pages, are anything to go by…then things could be looking very positive indeed! I hope to catch up with many of you at the CV Show and, in the meantime, enjoy this issue of Inside Track and our latest round-up.
Barnaby Smith Managing Director
We look forward to seeing you on stand
21 - 23 APRIL 2026
Have a coffee, and a chat, we can’t wait to catch up with you.
8-19 20-27 28-41
In this issue
Ringing the changes
In today’s fast-evolving fleet market, Mediafleet is one of the businesses at the forefront of transformation, providing a unique resource for fleet operators.
Alloy Bodies teams up with Mediafleet
Adding customer value through developing strong supply chain partnerships is a key factor in delivering customer satisfaction and exceeding customer expectations, reports Mediafleet and Alloy Bodies.
Mediafleet provide branding to ERA
In this short interview-based article, Sean talks to Rob Rudd of Mediafleet about why he chooses to work with Mediafleet for his client’s vehicle branding requirements.
42-51
Officially a ‘High Growth, Medium enterprise’
In this article Barnaby Smith, managing director of Mediafleet gives his thoughts on the way forward…
52-59
Freightliner roll-out new celebratory branding
Complex LCV vehicle branding is now commonplace, but not so much with HGV vehicles. Freightliner is leading the charge with their new truck designs celebrating their 60th Anniversary.
Mediafleet‘Ringing the changes’ in the
preparation of ‘work ready’ vehicles.
In today’s fast-evolving fleet market, Mediafleet is one of the businesses at the forefront of transformation, providing a unique resource for fleet operators.
Barnaby Smith, managing director of Mediafleet explains
“The conversion sector is moving towards centralised vehicle transformation centres, driven by ‘switched on’ customers recognising the benefits of integrated conversion, and a supply chain with a desire to make the conversion process much simpler. Recognising this, Mediafleet invested heavily in new facilities at its Witney site in 2025 – creating expansive new workshops and vast secure storage compounds for vehicles.“
We’ve also been building a team that’s not just technically skilled, but agile, communicative, and genuinely invested in customer success.
What does all this mean?
You could argue that the larger conversion organisations have been offering this for some time, but there is a major difference when customers choose to use the Mediafleet Transformation Hub.
Customers can choose their preferred organisations from the UK’s conversion supply chain to work on their vehicles at the Mediafleet site…… all except vehicle graphics, of course!
Minimising the ‘transportation miles’ in converting a vehicle and allowing customers to select their conversion partners, all working on one site, is unique. Assembling the right team to operate the hub is paramount. Mediafleet understands that balancing technical ‘know-how’ with exceptional customer service and clear communication is the secret to making things work seamlessly.
Recent additions to the team, like Luke Macdivitt, workshop manager, has deep experience in workflows and project management, and Andrew Pead, who brings his creative flair from design agencies, exemplify our commitment to excellence.
Meanwhile, established team members such as Josie Arnold, well-known and trusted by our customers, ensure continuity and reliability through QC management. It’s this blend of fresh perspectives and seasoned expertise that gives Mediafleet its unique interface - just real people working together, seamlessly.
Fleet customers are noticing the difference, engaging positively with our team and recognising the value of open, effective communication, and it’s a principle we champion at every opportunity. Mediafleet isn’t just responding to market needs; we’re anticipating them, building a ‘future-ready team’ that keeps every cog in the conversion gearbox turning smoothly.
Join us as we redefine teamwork in the fleet industry and deliver solutions that simply… work.
Alloy Bodies, one of the country’s leading commercial vehicle body builders, teams up with Mediafleet.
Adding customer value through developing strong supply chain partnerships is a key factor in delivering customer satisfaction and exceeding customer expectations, reports Mediafleet and Alloy Bodies.
Alloy Bodies over the years have worked with Mediafleet to deliver the vehicle branding for many of their prestigious contracts, one being Benson for beds.
Andy Kendall, Bensons for Beds Fleet Manager summarises Alloy Bodies and Mediafleet’s deliverance.
“We have found the quality and service from Mediafleet to have been excellent – the fitment of the livery had no issues and has proved to be durable over time. The design was exactly to our design, down to colour and font type. Aftersales service has always been excellent also. We are pleased to have them fitting livery to our upcoming 44t fleet.”
Mediafleet has been working with Alloy Bodies on several projects over the last few years including Bensons for Beds, one of the largest bed suppliers in the UK. Over that time a trusting relationship has developed.
Russell Hallowes
, Managing Director of Alloy Bodies explained,
“Alloy Bodies Ltd has strengthened its status as one of the country’s leading commercial vehicle body builders by delivering class leading services to its customers. When 3rd party organisations are required to help deliver the complete solution, it is crucial that the standard of service and the professionalism of the 3rd party organisation meets our expectations. We cannot allow our excellent brand image to be tarnished in any way. I am happy to say that Mediafleet always meets our expectations.”
Anthony Clayton, Sales Director for Alloy Bodies added, “With the large contracts we undertake and volume of vehicles we manufacture, we need reliable partners who can seamlessly integrate into our manufacturing processes and the team at Mediafleet always step up and deliver. This integration of vehicle branding into our process adds value for our customers.”
Mediafleet has always placed a great deal of emphasis on successful supply chain integration to ensure successful project delivery.
Barnaby Smith, managing director of Mediafleet stated, “Bensons for Beds is a great example of the supply chain working together; the kind of partnership that Mediafleet develops within the supply chain which ultimately benefits the
end user. A supply chain partnership can bring lots of different benefits to all the businesses involved. In this case, I would say the advantages include pricing, delivery time, and customer service, as well as improved quality.”
The Alloy Bodies complex at the Jubilee Works Industrial Estate in Miles Platting, near to central Manchester. The production facility occupies the full site with over 50 production bays and producing up to 3000 bodies per year. Mediafleet can apply graphics overnight at the facility. This enables Alloy Bodies to maximise the throughput of vehicles, cutting lead times and costs for the customer.
Sean Bingham, Principal Consultant, ERA Fleet Cost Management.
Rob Rudd, Head of Development, Mediafleet, is asking the questions.
Sean Bingham is the Principal Consultant at ERA Fleet Cost Management Ltd and provides clients with strategic on all aspects of fleet operations to obtain optimum efficiencies and reduce costs. In this short interview-based article, Sean talks to Rob Rudd of Mediafleet about why he chooses to work with Mediafleet for his client’s vehicle branding requirements.
Mediafleet is providing vehicle branding services to
ERA Fleet Cost
Management Ltd that meet the quality, service, and cost effectiveness criteria.
Who is ERA Fleet Cost Management Ltd?
Sean says, “ERA Fleet Cost Management (ERAFCM) is the consulting arm of the ERA Group, specialising in all matters regarding fleet operations for cars and light commercial vehicles in the UK and across the globe. We operate a small specialist team here at ERAFCM, but we have over 90 years fleet experience working within OEM, leasing companies, and fleet management suppliers.
This allows us to apply that knowledge and expertise to ensure that our clients receive the very best advice regarding the acquisition and operation of their fleets to optimise efficiencies and reduce costs. We go into great detail across a number of aspects including acquisition modelling (including tax and discounted cash flow analysis), operational process and cost, together with reviewing policy and strategy for our clients”.
“Our aim is to drive optimal efficiencies across all areas of fleet operations and ultimately to reduce costs.”
How do you measure your success?
“Personally, success is having clients who value what we do, whether that be saving costs or introducing new processes or procedures.
It may sound a little clichéd, but I believe that success is not just about saving clients’ money in operating their fleets, but about achieving a trusted advisor status, as opposed to being viewed as a supplier.
A further barometer of success is also the length of time clients keep us engaged. Most projects involve a contracted engagement period equal to the replacement cycle of the fleet, so typically 3 to 5 years.
I am pleased to say that we are very successful in retaining our customers over the long term, with over 25% of our current client base having been with us for more than 7 years”.
Can you give examples of your long-term customers and how long they have been working with ERAFCM?
“There is a long list of organisations we continue to work with having established the relationship over many years with clients such as the following. Similarly, we have been working with Mediafleet for a long time with our earliest interaction dating back to 2017”.
YEARS
YEARS
YEARS
How do you achieve cost savings whilst maintaining efficiencies and quality?
“There are numerous areas across all of a client’s fleet operation that we investigate to achieve a more efficient and costeffective solution. This will include investigating their partnerships within the supply chain to ensure effectiveness of service delivery and critically, value for money. Our process routinely involves undertaking negotiations on
behalf of clients across their supply base and is an important aspect of our work is to secure best value on a continuous basis. I believe our interaction with Mediafleet is a good example of this.”
How does Mediafleet help you achieve your customer goals?
“As I said previously, our aim is to drive optimal efficiencies across all areas of fleet operations and ultimately reduce costs. Mediafleet’s service offering is always competitively priced so I can be sure my customer is receiving value for money. Many customers need advice on maximising the effectiveness of the branding so the ‘return on investment’ is maximised. Mediafleet’s creative design department has demonstrated on several occasions just how creative they can be. The reflective livery for BGS is a great example.
Reliability is a key asset I look for. With Mediafleet’s little reliance on the subcontractor network for fitting, I can be confident that the livery will look professional until ‘vehicle end-of-life’.
I am not saying that Mediafleet is infallible, but when problems occur, they are dealt with swiftly and professionally. Mediafleet have never tried to apportion blame, they just asses the problem and solve it quickly.
In summary, professionalism is a key target area we look for in supply partners as these help me to provide a superior service which is easily recognisable by the customer. And Mediafleet mirrors these practises by delivering ‘operational expertise’ and ‘best practice’ at all times. In simple terms, it’s about providing the best deal for the clients. Our client, ‘Tapi Carpets’, is a good example of this process.
“ERAFCM and Mediafleet have been providing services to Tapi Carpets since 2017. For ERAFCM that means providing the Tapi management team with our market leading fleet consultancy services. For Mediafleet, it means delivering class leading vehicle branding services.
“This year sees the third consecutive year that
ERAFCM and Tapi Carpets have asked Mediafleet for new innovative branding for vehicles joining the fleet in 2025.”
“Clearly, Tapi Carpets wanted to maximise the promotional opportunity the new vehicles provided in terms of mobile ‘out of home’ advertising. So, ERAFCM required innovation, design support, vehicle prototyping and finally efficient vehicle roll-out. This is a case of ERAFCM working with the client to achieve its marketing ambitions, but all within a considered and competitive pricing framework. And that is why we chose Mediafleet for the task of branding the vehicles.
“They wanted to move from the grey corporate branding to a more dynamic design”. James Parry, head of design and specification at Mediafleet, worked on the new designs with Tapi Carpet’s Brand & Communications Director, Johanna Constantinou.
In January 2025, the branding operation commenced with the branding of 20 Transit Couriers supplied by Bristol Street Motors Fleet & Commercial. The second tranche of vehicles were 87 Renault Kangoos. Tapi Carpets and ERAFCM insisted upon a prototype being developed to ensure the effectiveness of the graphics and seeing it in the flesh is the best way of doing this. On the 21st of May, Mediafleet presented the branded vehicle to the key stakeholders at the vehicle converter premises, QI Van Systems.
“Everybody was impressed and the remaining 54 vehicles were fitted at QI throughout June and July”
Renault Kangoos
What does Mediafleet provide that makes them a preferred supplier?
“One of the main attractions is the holistic scope of service.”
“I can trust Barnaby and his team to plan the project and discuss the details with the client at the professional level ERAFCM insists upon.”
“From helping with the initial designs through to in-service vehicle support, Mediafleet is a ‘one stop shop’. We rely on Mediafleet’s technical knowledge and understanding of materials, ways of wrapping vehicles, ways of maximising exposure and coverage on a vehicle without necessarily maximising budget. That aligns with the ERAFCM philosophy.”
What was the reaction of Tapi Carpets?
“I think the comments made by Jeevan Karir, CEO at Tapi Carpets, sums it up best when he said, “…the service levels offered by the new suppliers have surpassed our expectations substantially.”
“The knowledge that ERA has within its network of specialists is undeniably impressive.”
“In every category of spend we were given useful insights which informed our decisions at every step. We continue to work with ERA and will recommend their work in the future”.
What does the future hold?
“I’d like to thank Mediafleet for your contribution in delivering a recognisable superior service. The branding programmes you have delivered for our customers over the time frames given demonstrate innovation, reliability, and value for money. These are key deliverables for ERAFCM and a great example of business symbiosis…ERAFCM will bring you client opportunities if you deliver an impressive, superior service that justifies our recommendation to use you.”
“ERA Fleet Cost Management has a great relationship with Mediafleet borne out of Mediafleet’s reliable, innovative, and cost-effective supply of vehicle graphics. It is my intention, where appropriate, to call on Barnaby and his team for advice and the supply of vehicle graphics in the future - providing Mediafleet can maintain the value for money factor for our clients…and I have no reason to believe they can’t.”
In this article Barnaby Smith, managing director of Mediafleet gives his thoughts on the way forward… Mediafleet – Officially a ‘High Growth, Medium enterprise’ with expansion to match.
Mediafleet achieved 12th place in the Thames Valley SME Growth 100 (2025) making it officially a ‘High growth, Medium Enterprise’.
In the UK, the Department of Trade and Industry defines a medium enterprise as a business with more than £6.5 million annual turnover but less than £25.9 million turnover. The Mediafleet turnover year ending June 2025 was £12.2 million with a growth rate of
Barnaby Smith, Managing Director of Mediafleet
stated,
“We have to remember, there is actually no such thing as a high-growth business or industry, just businesses or industries that are in a high-growth phase. So, Mediafleet will work even harder to make sure we deliver the standard of work you expect in order to maintain, or even better, this status.”
To achieve continued success, Mediafleet are expanding in terms of premises, equipment, and personnel.
Barnaby said, “Heading into our new financial year (July 2025) we are working on a number of new initiatives. One in particular is the acquisition of the new ‘Coseley Building’. We take our responsibilities as a supply chain partner very seriously and we are aware that enabling faster, more cost-effective preparation of ‘work ready’ vehicles is key.”
The Coseley Building will add another 15,000 sq. ft of workshop spaces meaning an additional
fitting bays. 20
This facility can be utilised by supply chain partners working on the same projects as Mediafleet.
Barnaby continued, “After the acquisition of building 16 on the Windrush industrial estate last year and now that of the Coseley building, Mediafleet now boasts three separate workshop facilities, plus the 40, 000 sq.ft production facility, the administration building, and vehicle storage for over 1200 vehicles. The site is growing very quickly.
“We continue to trade profitably, and my strategic priority is to reinvest profits in developing the business. To that end, apart from the premises expansion, we’ve invested over £650K in new printing and cutting equipment in the last 18 months.
“Part of our journey towards being universally recognised as the best graphics provider in the industry is to keep updating our equipment, keeping everything absolutely tip-top, recruiting the best people, and by developing our facility in Witney to ‘best in class’ in the UK.“
Mediafleet has also been recruiting and now regularly fields over 75 people working in the business every day.
Mediafleet has acquired some prestigious clients in recent times from the world of automotive fleet.
Barnaby said, “We look forward to supporting our customers old and new with their vehicle branding ambitions and we want to make sure we are ready at any time to meet the challenges set. But my feeling is that it’s tough going in the UK at the moment. The challenging political and financial environment is always a worry. Costs are growing, complex legal and regulatory factors, potentially damaging inflation and interest rates to name but a few. But we will continue to plough resource into the business. My feeling is that
we need to provide a more efficient supply chain for providing customer work ready vehicles. Customers need more agile suppliers; they need more flexibility in their choices and how they structure projects. And that’s not just from a vehicle branding point of view, but from an overall fleet vehicle supply chain perspective. So Mediafleet is pushing itself forward in a structured way, not just a branding specialist, but as a company that is agile and fit for purpose for the UK fleet market that exists today.
Complex LCV vehicle branding is now commonplace, but not so much with HGV vehicles. Freightliner is leading the charge with their new truck designs celebrating their 60th Anniversary.
Freightliner invest in new HGV fleet and roll-out new dynamic celebratory branding.
Mediafleet has been providing vehicle branding services to Freightliner for over 10 years and although the vehicle graphics have always looked professional, they have been fairly simple in design, and typical of HGV branding –functional and cost efficient.
Mike Lyons, account services manager for Mediafleet explained, “Back in December 2024, I was approached by Sean Barnfather, the fleet manager for Freightliner, who informed me that they were
purchasing 130-140 new tractor units next year. He explained to me that the livery needed to be more dynamic and impactful and that they wanted something special to celebrate Freightliner’s 60th Anniversary.
Working with the design briefs and design concepts provided by Freightliner’s Marketing team, the Mediafleet creative department got to work creating the 2D and 3D mock-ups for approval by Sean and his team.
Sean
Barnfather, Fleet manager for Freightliner said,
“It was great to see the designs come to life in the visuals provided by James Parry and the team. With a couple of minor tweaks, the visuals were approved.”
In January, the application team at Mediafleet began applying the graphics to the first fully wrapped 60th Anniversary Special Mercedes Actros at Witney, with a further 23 partially wrapped new trucks at their Cannock depot.
Mike said,
“So far we have completed x76 trucks with 47 more scheduled by the end of September. They are looking really good.”
Sean Barnfather
, said,
“We really tore up the rule book with these new tractor units and they look amazing. Freightliner has always been setting the standard. Whether it’s pioneering new technologies to make the freight landscape a safer and more sustainable place, or cultivating a team that truly cares about safety and integrity – our heritage is steeped in occasions where we have proudly led by example. I think this is another example of this”
Mike, said,
“Generally, I think more and more companies are looking at the huge amount of investment needed in acquiring and managing a fleet, compared to the relatively small budget required to brand that fleet with state-of-the-art vehicle graphics. This will provide huge promotional benefits at not that much additional cost, relatively speaking. And Freightliner is a splendid example of this type of progressive approach. The market has definitely reached a tipping point.”
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