London, UK: Sainsbury’s has given contract hire and rental specialists Fraikin, the contract to manage and maintain 220 of its 3.5 tonne Sainsbury’s Online home delivery vehicles in the South East.
Under the terms of the contract Fraikin is responsible for fleet management for the vehicles that operate from 23 stores including recovery and repair of breakdowns with a guaranteed 90-minute response time. Breakdowns will be managed through Fraikin’s own breakdown centre at Oldbury.
A vehicle first aid pack is supplied with each vehicle to remedy minor defects such as light bulbs as wells as a familiarisation guide for drivers who are required to carry out a vehicle and safety check before the vehicle leaves the store each day.
Fraikin is using a proactive maintenance programme to minimise breakdowns and services the vehicles at store locations using mobile service vehicles every twelve weeks.
Peter Backhouse, Chief executive, Fraikin said: “The fact that the vehicles span across such a distance will no doubt create its own logistical issues but ones which we are well geared up to cater for through our network of workshop facilities and maintenance partners.
Fraikin provides recovery and repair of breakdowns with a guaranteed 90-minute response time
“Furthermore the fact that we have our own breakdown centre which is manned on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year will be a major bonus and in the event of a breakdown occurring our team of technicians will be able to quickly determine what course of action needs to be taken. All are acutely aware that fast response is critical because of the perishable items on board.
“Additionally as cost control is a major factor we will constantly be looking at ways of introducing both greater efficiencies and increased value for money solutions for Sainsbury’s.”
J Sainsbury operates approximately 1,350 home delivery vehicles in the UK.
