Stand by your van! Supporting the local economy with our new fleet contract

Keeping it local and investing in Oldham’s economy is the key focus for us moving forward, and we're using local companies to support our new 90-strong van fleet.

The fleet of approximately 90 vehicles is key for our Property and Neighbourhood Care teams to deliver a high level of service to customers and maintain our 11,000+ housing stock across the borough. 

The Oldham-based organisations that we will be working with include: van signage by central-Oldham based design and print company, GR Labels 4 Signs; the Oldham branch of tyre specialists, AC Tyres; Chadderton-based HTF Transport; and the Oldham Peugeot dealership on Manchester Road, which has supplied the majority of our new fleet via leasing contractor, Specialist Fleet Services (SFS).

The new Peugeot vehicles come with AdBlue technology which eliminates 99.9% of particulates, meaning that our new fleet is much kinder for the environment, too.

Dave Thomas, Head of Property Care, said: “Supporting the local economy is one of our priorities as an organisation and now more than ever, businesses need our support due to the impact of coronavirus.

“The pandemic has hit many businesses extremely hard, so we’re making sure we’re using local suppliers wherever we can. We’ve developed great links with many Oldham-based companies over the years and we’re looking forward to furthering these positive working relationships with the arrival of our new fleet.

“As well as this, our new fleet is much better for the environment, so it’s a win-win.”

Geoff Ralphs, Managing Director of family-run GR Labels 4 Signs, said: “We would like to thank FCHO for the business they have given us over the many years we have worked together. It’s been especially important to support local businesses during these unusual times and as always, their custom is much appreciated.”

We look to renew our fleet every five years, with the most recent tender process occurring earlier this year. SFS were the successful winners for the fourth time running, providing a five year warranty for each vehicle and proving to be the most cost-effective supplier time and time again.

Bob Sweetland, Managing Director at SFS added: “We are very pleased to have retained FCHO as a customer for a fourth term. We invest a great deal of time and resources into understanding our customers’ operations and their individual requirements. We look forward to continuing to help FCHO maintain their high standard of housing stock.”

One of our new vans

Some of the new fleet

(L-R) Operational Manager Property Care, Pat Godfrey and
Facilities and Transport Manager, Steve Taylor

The interior