Construction National

Veriforce CHAS collaboration fuels fleet expansion and operational growth

KM Group, a multi-award-winning leader in construction, civil engineering, and utility infrastructure services, has been enjoying steady growth, supported by its CHAS Elite CAS SSIP certifications. These awards highlight KM Group's commitment to safe and responsible operations, making onboarding new clients faster and easier. However, with this growth comes practical challenges, particularly the need for more vehicles to support their expanding team.

Previously, KM Group sourced its fleet of around 50 light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from multiple suppliers, which was time-consuming, costly, and logistically inconvenient. As the company continued to expand, it became clear that they needed a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solution for acquiring vehicles.

Solution

As a CHAS member, KM Group enjoys exclusive benefits, including substantial discounts on van purchases or leases, affordable servicing options, and special offers on electric vehicles through CHAS’s collaboration with Vanaways. Additionally, every vehicle purchase comes with a CHAS-branded driver safety pack from Fleet Pack, complete with heavy-duty seat covers and tailored rubber floor mats to enhance safety and convenience on the road.

Vanaways, a leading van broker, offers comprehensive, tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of clients like KM Group. They provide any make and model from any manufacturer, ensuring that clients receive exactly what they need.

By leveraging fleet-term discounts through bulk purchasing, Vanaways secures some of the most competitive rates in the marketplace. This allows them to offer significant cost savings to KM Group and all CHAS’s 32,500+ members.

This collaboration has allowed KM Group's fleet sourcing approach to evolve in alignment with their business growth. The arrangement offers significant discounts, easy external servicing support, and potential access to modern electric vehicles. Although KM Group already had substantial buying power and a strong network of industry contacts, the Vanaways/CHAS collaboration saved them considerable time and costs compared to their previous suppliers.

For example, through this partnership, KM Group was able to order two customised vans at competitive prices for new starters—an advantage typically reserved for major fleet buyers or offered at a premium. Vanaways' industry expertise, including their knowledge of necessary customisations for different sectors, added significant value to the collaboration.

Implementation

Liam Nicholas, Business Development Director at Vanaways, did an amazing deal on two vans really quickly which made it an easy decision for KM Group to make Vanaways their Preferred Supplier, changing over from the previous incumbent in matter of just a couple of weeks. The group benefited from competitive pricing and access to bespoke models tailored to their immediate needs. This support proved crucial during busy periods or phases of growth.

For instance, when two new work supervisors joined the group, Vanaways delivered two new vehicles ready for use on their first day. This demonstrated the arrangement's flexibility, reliability, and effectiveness in meeting specific demands.

Benefits realised

• Cost efficiency: The competitive pricing saved KM Group time and resources, eliminating the need for extensive market research with thousands of pounds saved on individual vehicles compared against other quotes.
• Operational streamlining: Vanaways' efficient order management, preparation support, and delivery minimised disruptions, ensuring that vehicles were ready when needed, crucial for supporting growth.
• Comprehensive Service: Vanaways provided a one-stop solution with pre-delivery accessories and signage, enhancing operational readiness.

Outcome

KM Group now manages a diverse fleet of over 100 vehicles, including Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), specialist vehicles, and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). Thanks to Vanaways’ diligence, and attention to detail, they have now also become KM Group’s preferred supplier for panel vans and tippers.

This expansion has increased demands on their internal team, which is now well supported by the Vanaways and CHAS collaboration, enabling steady and sustained growth.

The collaboration thrives due to Vanaways' responsive service, support with strategic fleet planning, and a mutual commitment to operational excellence through early engagement and collaboration. KM Group expects continued growth and improved operational efficiency through this partnership.

Conclusion

The collaboration between KM Group and Vanaways demonstrates how working together can optimise efficiency and drive business growth. As KM Group expands, the CHAS/Vanaways collaboration remains crucial in their journey toward operational excellence and client satisfaction. This collaboration adds significant value to the already substantial CHAS membership benefits, supporting KM Group's steady growth and long-term success.

Murray Ambler-Shattock, Group Strategic Operations, Research, Development & Innovation Manager at KM Group, highlights the considerable benefits of the CHAS/Vanaways collaboration, explaining: "Holding CHAS certification not only opens doors for continued growth but also equips us with the necessary tools to support it in the longer term."

"As we continue to steadily expand, managing our fleet becomes increasingly complex and time-consuming. The CHAS Vanaways partnership has freed-up precious time for me to work on more strategically critical matters, taking away a good 85% of the time-consuming aspects of broking the UK market for the right vehicles at the right cost for our requirements from available options. I am already seeing the considerable benefits of that as we refresh our Fleet and rotate out older units for new stock.

"The CHAS/Vanaways collaboration offers a streamlined, cost-effective solution tailored to our demanding needs. Similar to CHAS, Vanaways excels in customer service, flexibility, and industry regulation compliance, ensuring both efficiency and adherence to standards, thus delivering a service level that reflects our own ethos of consistent excellence."

Reflecting on the success of the collaboration, Liam Nicholas, Business Development Director at Vanaways comments: “We are enthused to hear how our partnership with KM Group and other CHAS members is driving success through our exceptional vehicle solutions.

“Vanaways is not just a van supplier; we are a strategic partner dedicated to ensuring the success of KM Plant and all Veriforce CHAS members. Our unparalleled deals, exceptional customer service, and unwavering commitment to compliance and flexibility empower our clients to achieve their business goals with confidence.

“We are immensely proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses, securing the 3rd spot on the prestigious Sunday Times ‘Fast Growth 100’ list for 2024 by Sales Revenue. This accolade is a testament to our team's unwavering drive for excellence, which has enabled us to form one of the most significant partnerships in the industry with Veriforce CHAS.

“As Veriforce CHAS contractors, members, and clients, now is the perfect time to consider partnering with Vanaways for all your fleet needs. We invite you to experience the difference of working with one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dedicated vehicle suppliers.”

David Turner head of marketing at Veriforce CHAS adds: "It's fantastic to hear about how KM Groups's CHAS assessment and associated benefits propel and support their business expansion.

"KM Group's growth journey is truly inspiring, and their CHAS membership alongside the Vanaways collaboration is a testament to this success. It's clear that their partnership with Vanaways has been instrumental in supporting their expanding fleet needs, offering significant cost savings, operational efficiency, and industry-specific expertise. This collaboration ensures that KM Group can continue to deliver exceptional service while maintaining the high standards expected from a CHAS Elite member, ultimately fostering an environment of sustained growth and excellence.”

For further information visit www.chas.co.uk