Front cover image: Sisters Josie and Chloe, two of our vinyl applicators, pictured outside our Witney facility. Read more about their roles on Page 18.
Keep in touch
www.mediafleet.co.uk info@mediafleet.co.uk T: +44 (0)1993 772525
CONTENTS 04
Introduction from Barnaby Barney welcomes you to this edition of Inside Track Magazine.
06
Lyreco – Expanding the Automotive Green Agenda. Rob talks about the environmentally friendly Non-PVC vinyl media increasingly used as part of vehicle branding campaigns.
12
Modern Milkman - Mediafleet has worked with the Modern Milkman marketing team to develop and implement a range of graphics for the new fleet of vehicles.
18
Sisters are doing it for themselves…and Mediafleet! Barney and Rob talk about the ‘merits’ of a meritocratic organisation.
INTRODUCTION FROM BARNABY If there’s one thing I feel that I’ve come to realise more than anything, businesses are all about people. Investments will be made in equipment and machinery, and new products and plans will be developed, but it’s the contribution from individuals that defines whether a company meets its objectives and delivers the goods. On a personal note, I find the most rewarding part of my role has become working with everyone at Mediafleet to build the team structure and spirit that I believe creates the energy that is driving our business forwards. In this edition of Inside Track we discuss the importance of supporting people in their work and making sure that opportunities are there for those that wish to try something new, perhaps take a risk, and ultimately develop their career. We’ve had some great success stories at Mediafleet over the years and some of the strongest members of our team have grown their contribution to the company right from trainee level upwards. There is no better example of this than our senior applicator Josie Arnold introducing
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her younger sister Chloe to Mediafleet’s fitting department. To see two sisters working together, so happy and positive in what they are doing is fantastic and well done to them. Please turn to Page 18 to see the full article on Josie and Chloe’s story at Mediafleet. The fleet market continues to provide challenges to all of us in the supply chain in 2021. It’s heartening to see just how much all of us, co-contractors and competitors alike, are actually working together during difficult times and continuing to get completed vehicles on the road for customers. It’s a great market to work in with good old fashioned healthy competition, but a general sense of community and mutual dependence.
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Lyreco - Expanding the Automotive Green Agenda and Sustainability.
T
he last decade has witnessed a growing awareness of the need for sustainability
across the worldwide automotive market. We are all now very much aware that environmental change can only take place when important blue-chip organisations address the green issues from every angle – and that is exactly what Lyreco has set out to do with their new fleet. The Lyreco group is the European leader and
the
third
largest
distributor
of
workplace products and services in the world. The group directly operates in 25 countries in Europe and Asia and covers 17 additional markets on 4 continents through a network of distribution partners. Lyreco has constantly adapted to the evolutions of workplace thanks to its constant focus on excellence in customer experience, strong partnerships with renowned suppliers, and efficient logistics. 7
Burgeoning alternative fuel technologies now allows organisations to procure vehicles that will perform their roles in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way. Today, for many organisations, this means in-fleeting alternative fuelled vehicles such as fully electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.
For the new vehicle fleet, Lyreco has gone one step further. Lyreco has engaged with Mediafleet for the provisioning of all vehicle graphics for the new fleet. Mediafleet offers the fleet market a full scope of service for all things vehicle graphics and combines this with innovation and creativity. All these elements were put to the test in the development and roll-out of the new branding for the Lyreco fleet. Renault vans have been chosen for the new fleet and will be adorned with the new vibrant corporate branding. Mediafleet worked with the Lyreco team to ensure the technicalities of the new branding were met. This included multiple colour checks, creative artwork, 3D visuals so the full impact of the graphics, and of course, prototyping to ensure the vehicles are exactly as Lyreco specified. In addition to the above, Lyreco requested that the vinyl used on its vehicles should meet its sustainability goals and so Mediafleet suggested the use of 3M Envision Wrap Film – a sustainable non-PVC vinyl.
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“The 3M Envision product is
excellent, offering excellent print characteristics as well as meeting the sustainability criteria.” Barnaby Smith - Managing Director, Mediafleet
Barnaby Smith, managing director of Mediafleet said, “The 3M Envision product is excellent, offering excellent print characteristics as well as meeting the sustainability criteria. To date, fifty-three Renault Masters have been completed and seventeen Renault Master ZE electric panel vans. Over the summer a further tranche of approximately one hundred vehicles will be joining the Lyreco fleet – all branded using this environmentally friendly vinyl”. This approach to sustainability highlights the need for organisations to take a wider view in order to extend sustainability to all aspects of automotive supply. Barnaby commented, “In order to meet the goals of sustainability, changes in the way companies approach vehicle branding should be applauded. Understanding environmental effects of manufacturing is important, procuring alternative fuelled vehicles is also vitally important, but it is when companies like Lyreco drill down into other lesser-known green alternatives can the green agenda really be addressed. From today, Mediafleet will be offering all organisations a green vinyl alternative in our proposals. The market can now offer this as more vinyl manufacturers are producing environmentally friendly vinyls.”
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11
M 12
MEDIAFLEET & MODERN MILKMAN Implementing a range of graphics for the new fleet of vehicles
13
Some nine months ago, our friends at CoolKit, and in particular the managing director Rupert Gatty, introduced us to the business that is, Modern Milkman. Since then, Mediafleet has worked with the Modern Milkman marketing team to develop and implement a range of graphics for the new fleet of vehicles. With Fiat providing the vehicles, CoolKit providing the specialist body conversion, and Mediafleet providing the branding, this another example of successful supply integration. In December 2020, Mediafleet published the article looking at the factors that make up successful solution provisioning in vehicle graphics supply. The article focussed on the five important elements: Empathy – Understanding the wants and needs of the customer Challenging the Norm – Working with the customer to generate new and exciting ideas Debate – A two-way discussion of the merits of the proposed designs Prototype and Test – Seeing the vehicle ‘in the flesh’ to make sure it will work from a marketing perspective Deliver – Applying the graphics and producing the vehicles in association with the other suppliers in the chain. Read the full article here.
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15
16
Nicky
Hodgkins
Cook,
Chief
Marketing
Officer at Modern Milkman, and the brand team, decided that the in-house original designs for the Modern Milkman vehicles were not dynamic enough. This drive for excellence resulted in the team working in conjunction with James Parry, head of design at Mediafleet, to create new concepts for discussion. A range of new ideas were developed and eventually three designs were chosen. The rear billboard concept works really well with each design confirming the marketing message ‘loud and clear’. Mediafleet then set about producing the graphics at its Witney production facility. Mediafleet’s in-house application team then started applying the graphics at CoolKit’s Burnley facility. To date, 125 vehicles have been in-fleeted with another 250 vehicles to be completed over the summer. Barnaby Smith commented, “This has been a great project to be involved in for a number of reasons. The full scope of Mediafleet services has been utilised. We worked closely with the brand team at Modern Milkman to develop some great designs. Plus, we are proud to be supporting an organisation that is helping with environmental issues. Cutting down on plastic usage is hugely important and we fully endorse the Modern Milkman philosophy”.
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SISTERS ARE DOIN THEMSELVES...AN You can read the full article here and at the same time we’ll introduce and her sister, Chloe, two vinyl applicators here at Mediafleet. 18
NG IT FOR ND MEDIAFLEET! you to Josie
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20
Many organisations state that they are meritocratic, but without real implementation mechanisms and the processes to measure outcomes, is meritocracy for most companies just another overused, jargonistic term with no real meaning? Barnaby Smith and Rob Rudd of Mediafleet talk about the relationship between meritocracy, opportunity and business efficiency.
Rob Rudd: The concept of meritocracy is a difficult conundrum to fathom. Before any organisation employs an individual to do a job, that individual has abilities based on natural talent or aptitude, and an upbringing which instils a desire to achieve the goals set. Plus, a learned discipline to one level or another. An initial selection process is required (interview) that enables business managers
to
identify
those
individuals
that ‘merit’ the position. The concept of meritocracy then in business, is not based upon all individuals starting from the same position and having the same opportunities, but based on demonstrable ‘initial’ attributes combined with rewards and status for the job done to certain standards.
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Barnaby Smith: The management team
with comparatively few female engineers.
here at Mediafleet set out to provide
The female vinyl applicators in this market
an equitable and inclusive environment
are rarer still…but I’d like you to meet
from day one. I can’t say that this was
Josie and Chloe Arnold – sisters and vinyl
a formulated plan, just a philosophy of
applicators!
giving all individuals an equal opportunity, Once
Josie Arnold: I am the senior vinyl
employed, all employees have a voice. We
applicator at Mediafleet reporting directly
recognised that input from everyone in
to the senior applicator Scott Hawkins, and
the work force would have value. It doesn’t
part of a team of sixteen people. In early
matter who you are, your background,
2008, I had just left my job as a waiter as
level of education et cetera, if you have an
the pub I was at had to close. I was then
opinion, then the management here want
looking for another challenge when I saw
to hear it. The most important thing is
and applied for a temporary position at
that employees at Mediafleet can develop
Mediafleet. I was just seventeen at the
their career path based on being able to
time. Initially, I was helping out in the
positively impact on the performance of
finishing room and despatch. After two
the business.
weeks, Carole Avenell approached me and
regardless
of
characteristic.
asked whether I would be interested in Rob: Where meritocracy can break down
becoming an apprentice vinyl applicator.
in business, however, is when individuals
As they say, the rest is history. I really enjoy
who have been rewarded by status create
my work and take pride in everything I do.
an exclusive club where ‘outsiders’ are not welcome.
Rob: Why do you think you were asked about a fitting role?
Barnaby: That is not the case at Mediafleet. The management team are accepting of all
Josie: I was doing pretty well in production,
new ideas and initiatives. These are then
and I guess I showed a willingness to work
assessed based on predicted outcomes;
hard. I picked it up pretty quickly as well.
those outcomes being what is good for the business rather than individuals or groups. Plus, at Mediafleet, we set objectives, and it is the meeting of those objectives, by whatever means, that is important. We do not subscribe to the idea of, “this is how it has always been done”, or “these are the people that do this kind of job”. It is about the right person in the right job. For example, the global conversion market is currently a male dominated environment,
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“As long as you work hard you will get the benefits and the status. I’m now working on some of the biggest Mediafleet accounts, and some of the biggest names in automotive, and it is so exciting. ” Josie Arnold, Senior Vinyl Applicator at Mediafleet.
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Rob: Josie, who provided your training?
I’ve been working down in Bristol on the Lyreco account and on the Mears account
Josie: Scott Hawkins, the head of the
here, at Mediafleet. These have been cut
fitting department, provided the majority
graphics, chevrons, and partial wraps so all
of my training. He was absolutely brilliant.
good experience. Plus, I’ve been learning
Barry John (now Production Manager)
how to remove the door handles, number
also helped me considerably in the early
plates and take the lights off the vehicle so
days. Since then, I’ve had external trainers
the job is done right. I’m looking forward
from vinyl manufacturers provide training
to getting past this Covid situation so I
as have most of the applicators here.
can go on some external courses.
Scott Hawkins: Josie picked this up really
Scott Hawkins: Chloe is doing really well.
quickly and has a real eye for detail. These
She is asking questions when she gets
days, I’m happy to let Josie get on with
stuck and is learning fast. She is motivated
it with no input from me. She is very
and she will make a great fitter.
confident in her abilities and working at any location. When I’m not around I can
Rob: Josie, Chloe, you both travel around
be sure she will manage everything; she
the country to vehicle converter sites,
doesn’t need me now.
dealerships and ports plying your trade; this is a male dominated environment,
Rob: Chloe, how did you come to be an
have you experienced any difficulties
apprentice vinyl applicator at Mediafleet?
settling in to this environment?
Chloe Arnold: I was getting fed up with
Chloe: I’ve always been made welcome
my job working with horses. I had been
so far, it’s been really good. I would
doing that since leaving school and I
recommend this to anyone.
needed a new challenge. I’d heard Josie speak of her job at Mediafleet – I liked the sound of it – so Josie said why not give it a go. A voice in my head said this can’t be hard, it’s just sticking stickers, but I take it all back, there’s a lot more to it than that! Rob: So presumably, Josie is providing your training? Chloe: I started just over a month ago and all the fitters have been brilliant; helping me and showing me how to do it. Scott and Josie are the main trainers though.
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Josie: Do you know, they are actually more
Barnaby:
helpful to us…just really nice. I don’t know
think meritocracy is the right term, as I
if this is unusual. I’ve never had anything
think if not managed correctly, a merit-
negative, it’s more shock I think, that a
based system could lead to ‘biased’
woman has turned up to do the graphics
decisions. I prefer to think of Mediafleet
which is unusual. Not all premises cater for
as transparent and accountable. Our flat
women in terms of toilets, but we always
organisational structure helps develop a
manage to sort it out! Plus, there are more
culture of discussion and debate. We are
women now on the conversion lines at
all approachable at any time allowing a
converters as well. And, just as we have
free-flow of information to be analysed
Carole, Emily, Lisa, Ellie, and all the team
and processed. Plus, the outcomes of
in the finance office in Shipston, women
these initiatives are easily measured to
are playing major management roles.
ensure effectiveness for the business
Summing
this
up;
I
don’t
without the risk of alienating an individual Scott Hawkins: Josie gets all the help she
or worse, discrimination. We have a great
needs at 3rd party sites but that’s because
team here and, I hope I’m right in saying,
of the way she acts on site, not because
one that pulls together for the good of
she is female. People respect her attitude
everyone.
and abilities. How she communicates with them is then reciprocated – she has built great relationships with our conversion partners. I can see Chloe being exactly the same – as I say she’s learning and doing well. Rob: Josie, do you feel you are respected and have a voice here at Mediafleet, comparable with your company status Josie? Do you feel this is a career? Josie: Definitely, as long as you work hard, anyone can have a career here and the company will look after you. As long as you work hard you will get the benefits and the status. I’m now working on
some
of
the
biggest
Mediafleet
accounts, and some of the biggest names in automotive, and it is so exciting. I’ve actually appeared on TV as well!
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Company Information Mediafleet is one of the country’s leading fleet graphics and branding specialists. With an expanding central printing and manufacturing facility at Witney, Oxford, and a graphics application team with perhaps an unrivalled level of experience in the industry, the company has developed an advanced range of vehicle branding products and services to cater for all large national fleet networks, whatever their requirements. Building on Mediafleet’s core vehicle graphics expertise, the company has grown its vehiclerelated business by learning to understand the complexities and requirements of every unique fleet. By listening to prospective clients’ needs, Mediafleet provides a bespoke approach
to
each
new
customer.
The
company’s adherence to that basic principle has enabled it to develop successful vehicle branding campaigns for nearly 20 years. For further details, please contact Barnaby Smith or Rob Rudd at Mediafleet on 01993 772525.
Keep in touch
www.mediafleet.co.uk info@mediafleet.co.uk T: +44 (0)1993 772525 29