Southern Enterprise Awards 2021

76 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2021 Aug21787 From inception, Nationwide Fleet Services has taken pride in being a privately-run provider of fleet support services, focusing on tyres for all vehicle types. The company’s journey has seen it build up a network of independent suppliers across both the UK and Ireland, providing a truly nationwide service to its customers. We speak to Managing Director, Nick Diment, to find out more. Established in July 2019, Nationwide Fleet Services (NFS) provides vehicle tyre, servicing and breakdown services to fleet operators with vehicles of all types as well as working with customers of all types and fleet sizes, including end users and fleet providers. The company’s mission is to make a difference in a market dominated by large players, by offering multiple support options to its customers, all provided by independent tyre providers, vehicle servicing and recovery companies, throughout the UK and Ireland. NFS differentiates itself from competitors with several unique selling points, the most important of which is that it is a privately owned and independently operated company. It also benefits from short reporting lines and has a diverse offering including multiple support services for vehicle maintenance. “A key strength is our supplier network,” explains Nick Diment, the firm’s Managing Director. “They are all independent companies, so everything they do makes a difference to them, it’s not just a job to them.” Best Fleet Vehicle Mechanical & Breakdown Service Provider 2021 The internal culture at NFS revolves around doing everything possible to provide the best for customers. A bespoke software system that is employed throughout the firm enables staff members to access all the information needed to provide for clients and suppliers effectively and efficiently. With such a close-knit and committed team, it is paramount that new recruits fit in well, therefore Nick looks for candidates who can listen, follow instructions where required, and also think for themselves when presented with the different challenges each new request presents. However, Nick also believes in giving back to his dedicated and hardworking employees. “Since the lockdown, we have invested in IT to allow staff to work from home,” he elaborates. “This has meant we have ended up with a mix of office based and home workers which has helped people to make choices about how they work and where, which is what the business needs due to its 24/7 operation.” The most noticeable trend that emerged within the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic is the ever-increasing costs surrounding vehicle operations, made worse by the lack of skilled drivers for HGVs, and technicians for tyre fitting and vehicle repairs. The challenge into the autumn and winter will be the continuing trend of purchasing goods online, which is a key development, highlighted by the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, which will apply more pressure on the home delivery fleets. “One of the key developments for us has been home delivery for our customers, who have enjoyed increased work volumes, seeing increased vehicle requirements but which is also negatively impacted by Covid and the need to work socially distanced or isolate. This is further impacted for the buyer with delays getting goods into the country and distributed impacting some deliveries, not just of the goods purchased for delivery but for the tyres and vehicle parts our suppliers rely on to keep these vehicles on the road.” says Nick. Recently, the company was rewarded for its hard work with the prestigious title of Best Fleet Vehicle Mechanical & Breakdown Service Provider 2021 in the Southern Enterprise Awards and Nick tells us that the future for NFS is to retain its current business levels, whilst actively looking at new opportunities. “We have also just launched our driver booking APP,” Nick adds. “This will make the requests simpler for everyone and we will continue to expand on this into 2022 and beyond.” Contact: Nick Diment Company: Nationwide Fleet Services Web Address: www.nationwidefleetservices.co.uk