Around the late 1960’s Ashland began branching out into wider markets and even drilled down into specific markets and niche industries, where by the time the swinging 60’s were in full motion, Ashland had acquired more than 5 separate companies in the petroleum and petrochemicals industry, where later these acquisitions would prove fundamental in the growth and core development of what we now know as Valvoline Europe high performance lubricants today. Securing and developing custom engine lubricants, from radiator coolant to brake fluid and eve engine flushes and windscreen wiper fluid, through the acquisition of other lubricant manufacturers Valvoline has combined all the assets of its business, be them knowledge, people and technology to produce the very best grades of synthetic engine oil seen in the UK and world markets today.

Although Valvoline is one of the largest producers of motor oil and engine oils in North America, their European Market share as skyrocketed over recent years, founded by Dr. John Ellis who first formulated his unique brew of engine oil from petroleum based lubricants back in the late Nineteenth Century, DR Ellis saw the future in his bottles of Motor Oil and thought it fit to trademark his new creation and don all produced liquids with the name ‘Valvoline’ – since then Valvoline have been serving American motorists for longer than any other oil or lubricant producer, now with growing market share in Europe and the UK, Valvoline are continuing to push the boundaries of performance engine oils with the mentality and ethics of Dr. John Ellis, ensuring that every bottle of oil which leaves their factories are shipped and sold to you the end user in perfect condition, with peace of mind that within this bottle, there is over 100 years of motor experience and  development time gone into your lubricant, with the collective minds of over 2000 employees from all walks of life, backgrounds and even geographic locations, these collective minds and hearts of Valvoline Employees have led to the creation of over 29 manufacturing facilities throughout 15 countries around the world.  

With their massive growth and intellectual property contained in every bottle of car or motorcycle engine oil, it is no wonder that so many knowledgably motorists only choose Valvoline products for their pride and joys, from OEM to the hobbyist motorist, Valvoline has been on the lips of enthusiasts and in the engines of the vehicles for over 100 years and is sure to be here for another 100 years to come.

When managing a fleet it is important to consider that you are using the right vehicles and that these are being managed efficiently. Employing a vehicle fleet management service can help with this management but what are the key benefits?

Choosing the Right Kind of Vehicle

Using the right kind of vehicle for your business can have a major impact on how much you spend and the level of service you provide. It isn’t just a case of using vans or cars; it could even be ensuring that you are using the right kind of car. It doesn’t sound like the first thing you’d think about – usually assuming any decent car will do – but different models are better for different purposes.

For instance, your fleet might be about image as much as it’s about transport, so you’ll need a prestige kind of car. Alternatively, it might be the case that your company caters for long distance jobs and you would therefore need a low maintenance car with efficient fuel output.

To achieve this, it is important to stay abreast of any new models released into the market, something that a vehicle fleet management service can do for you. They can also provide a pool of vehicles from which to choose from, including most major manufacturers.

Going the Extra Mile

Vehicle assessment is an important part of any fleet management service as this evaluates things like risk and cost-effectiveness. Having a professional and experienced company carry this out for you will ensure that you are well-informed to make the best decisions regarding your fleet.

Another benefit of hiring this kind of service is the regular analyst and management it provides. Updates on your vehicles performance will free you up to make business decisions related to running your company rather than having to keep a close on the performance of your fleet.

The advent of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has greatly improved Fleet Management in the UK by allowing companies to benefit from greater organisation. GPS uses satellite signals and transmissions from a fixed compartment in the vehicles to track movement, location and speed amongst other things.

So what are the main benefits of using fleet management in the UK?

Reduced Fuel Costs

By planning the most efficient routes and journeys employers can reduce their vehicle consumption, saving them a considerable amount in the process. Some GPS devices also allow you to track fuel consumption in real time so you can keep an eye on what is being used and manage accordingly for the future.

Less Expenses and Better Operational Costs

Efficiency is central to GPS systems which will reduce fuel costs but also improve driver management. It is likely that fewer expenses will be incurred as drivers are aware their journeys are being monitored. Tracking a journey will also allow users to plan better in the future.

Regular Reports and Alerts

GPS systems regularly send reports and alerts to keep employers abreast of factors that can affect efficiency. For instance speed reports and idle-time reports are useful to oversee instances of speeding, when the engine was left running and the vehicle was stationary and how much fuel is wasted in idle.

Maintenance Management and Theft Recovery

The technology starts to get advanced with maintenance and theft management. Alerts can be sent when a vehicle is reaching its suggested mileage points so that services can be planned and organised in plenty of time. This can help to eradicate the threat of breakdowns. Additionally, if a vehicle is stolen the GPS system can track its exact location to aid police in their inquiries. You can also disable the vehicle when it stops so that it cannot be re-started.

Greater Customer Satisfaction

All in all the many attributes of GPS ensure that you can meet deadlines and give customers clear answers on when to expect vehicles to arrive. Your customers will benefit from you being able to give a more specific ETA, whilst you can oversee the exact time a vehicle arrives.