Leasedrive VELO

Leasedrive good news for UK’s largest newsagents’ chain
14 June 2005

Leasedrive Group, one of the largest independent privately-owned vehicle management groups in the UK, has won the contract to provide a fleet management and maintenance service to TM Retail, the UK’s largest chain of newsagents.  TM Retail trades under the Forbuoys, Martin, RS McColl and Dillon high street brands. 

Commercial director, Roddy Graham said: “This win was a major coup for us as the previous provider had been less than a year into their contract.  The flexibility and impressive technical features of our bespoke online totally integrated fleet management system, Drive:Manager, together with our dedicated management team were major deciding factors in clinching this deal.  As too was our net-net pricing approach, which passes all discounts and retrospective rebates back to the client.  This makes our activities totally transparent and ensures there is no conflict of interest when recommending third party suppliers.

“The contract covers 450 vehicles, comprising company cars and light commercial vans, and among other uses Drive:Manager will provide TM Retail with a detailed analysis on vehicle maintenance and tyre spend.”

TM Retail is the country's largest chain of newsagents with over 900 stores.  In addition, there are over 300 convenience stores and more than 100 high street stores trading throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

The company was formed in 1998 when Forbuoys acquired the Martin Retail Group.  The trading names of TM Retail stores at that time included Forbuoys, Martin and RS McColl.

A year later, the new convenience concept McColl’s was launched. McColl’s have subsequently been rolled out into neighbourhood, metro, high street, travel and hospital locations.

2003 saw the first Somerfield Martin's, a joint project with Somerfield.  These stores moved convenience retailing on to a new level and there are currently seven stores in operation.  2004 saw TM Retail acquire Dillon stores and consolidate its market position as the country's number one retailer in its sector.

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