Author: Abaranji Sivakumar

Logistics company gets moving thanks to Fuel Card Services

Logistics company gets moving thanks to Fuel Card Services

Posted on | by Abaranji Sivakumar

Logistics companies literally help move things from A to B, but one Essex-based transport firm has hailed Fuel Card Services for getting it through the metaphorical alphabet.

Wise Move Logistics uses a varied fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles for its transport services, working through roughly £10,000 of BP and Shell fuel every month.

It may be a young company, setting up in 2017, but Wise Move Logistics has wasted no time in introducing fuel cards and enjoying the various benefits they present, such as cheaper fuel, security benefits and reduced admin hassle.

However, it has been the relaxed yet high standard of customer care that has been the most impressive aspect for Simon McLellan, managing director at Wise Move Logistics.

“I have been speaking to Tabitha [Laycock – an account manager at Fuel Card Services] for around six months. She has never come across as pushy and was very patient whilst we were waiting for our first-year accounts,” he commented.

“Tabitha is very knowledgeable within her trade and since we have had accounts, she has produced some very interesting benefits of changing from our old fuel card supplier. She’s a credit to the company.”

Your business can enjoy this level of service too by signing up with Fuel Card Services today.

We help around 55,000 customer organisations pump around 2,000,000 litres of petrol and diesel every day. We have long-standing relationships with every major oil supplier, meaning there’s bound to be a fuel card perfect for your operation.

Find out what we can do for your company at fuelcardservices.com.

Fuel Card Services believes in looking after its employees, which includes a good work life balance – find out more about a career with us at www.career4you.co.uk

Women more likely to use their phone behind the wheel than men

Women more likely to use their phone behind the wheel than men

Posted on | by Abaranji Sivakumar

Research often proves women drivers to be safer and less accident prone than men, but a new study has shown that women are more likely than men to illegally use their mobile phone while driving.

Out of the 1,200 motorists surveyed by Select Car Leasing, 17 per cent of women admitted to checking their phone from behind the wheel in the past 12 months, compared to 11 per cent of men.

Additionally, a further seven per cent of women said they had sent at least one text whilst in control of a vehicle, compared to four per cent of men.

Of course, women could be being more honest than men but the fact that both sexes readily admitted to messing with their phone from behind the wheel was alarming, said Mark Tongue, company director of Select Car Leasing.

“Overall, our study showed that four in ten drivers admit to checking their phone at least ‘rarely’ while at lights or in traffic – and that’s a concerning stat,” he commented.

“Doing it just the once is enough to put you and other road users in danger. Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. All calls or texts can wait and checking them can be the difference between living and dying.”

Any drivers caught using their phone whilst in control of a vehicle stand to receive six penalty points, a £200 fine and even have their licence revoked for two years.

Age was an important factor in the survey, with drivers aged 18-24 far more likely to be distracted by their phone than motorists above the age of 45.

Overall, 29 per cent of 18-24-year-olds admitted to checking their phone whilst driving in the past 12 months, compared to 15 per cent of 45-54-year-olds and just six per cent of 55-64-year-olds.

Jez Strong, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “These findings are alarming yet depressingly unsurprising. Thankfully, fleet bosses can monitor their drivers’ behaviour using telematics.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

Car accidents rise by a third when the clocks go back

Posted on | by Abaranji Sivakumar

The number of car accidents is expected to climb by more than a third as a result of the clocks going back.

According to insurethebox, accident rates among motorists driving between 5pm and 8pm in the weeks directly following the October clock change increase by 34 per cent.

Data collected by the insurance provider since 2014 shows that male drivers are likely to be involved in a collision after the clock change, with a 37 per cent increase in accidents during the home time rush. In regards to female drivers, this increase drops to 30 per cent.

Faster speeds make accidents more likely at any time of the day, but young drivers who speed at night between midnight and 7am are three times more likely to have an accident than those who speed during the day.

Every part of the UK sees a rise in accidents of at least 25 per cent in those three after-office hours, but drivers in Scotland and the north of England should be extra cautious.

These northern areas report the highest increase in accidents between the hours of 5pm and 8pm after the clock change. In Scotland particularly, accident rates spike by 50 per cent, and 49 per cent in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

A spokesperson for insurethebox said newly qualified drivers were especially at risk due to the lower visibility and wet weather.

“For many young drivers, the evenings after the clock change will be their first experience of driving in the dark, coping with different conditions like reduced visibility,” they said.

Jez Strong, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “All motorists can adapt their driving style to accommodate the darker, wetter conditions by travelling at a slower speed than normal and maintaining a greater distance from the car in front to benefit from increased reaction times if necessary.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments.

Credit: PhotoTalk/iStock

Polystyrene firm loving life with Fuel Card Services

Posted on | by Abaranji Sivakumar

Fuel cards can unlock benefits for companies of any size, and that has just been proven after a polystyrene products supplier became the latest company to sing the praises of Fuel Card Services.

Caerphilly-based GM Polystyrene specialises in packaging and dummy cakes made out of polystyrene, but there’s nothing fake about the savings and convenience the company has enjoyed since taking out a Texaco fuel card with £1,000 credit.

One of the biggest plus-points noted by GM Polystyrene managing director Graham Middleton is where his vehicles can fill up.

“The locations are easy to get to and my drivers think the fuel cards are easy to use,” he tells us.

Another big advantage noted by Mr Middleton is the high standard of customer service provided by Fuel Card Services.

“You have a good salesperson in [account manager] Helen Simpson,” he added.

As one of Britain’s largest independent agents of fuel cards, Fuel Card Services works to help minimise fuel costs for 55,000 organisations who pump around 2,000,000 litres of petrol and diesel every day.

Find out more about how Fuel Card Services can help you slash your monthly fuel spend

Credit: PhotoTalk/iStock

Construction firm loving Fuel Card Services’ ‘first class’ customer service

Posted on | by Abaranji Sivakumar

A construction firm has become the latest to shout from the rooftops about their amazing experience of working with Fuel Card Services.

Sussex-based Firma Services relies on its diesel-fuelled vans to complete building and landscape projects at homes around the UK, so having a dependable fuel solution is hugely vital.

That’s why company director Caroline Wallace has been a long-time customer of Fuel Card Services.

Over the years, Firma Services has benefited from having one of the largest independent agents of fuel cards in the UK on its side, working to help keep fuel costs down.

But it’s the exceptional customer service that has really wowed Caroline over time, especially from current account manager Donna Grimshaw.

“I have had various account managers in my time, but Donna Grimshaw stands out as one of the very best,” said Caroline.

“Nothing is too much trouble for her and she is consistently committed to ensuring that everything is running just as I like it. Down to earth, switched on, knowledgeable and smart.

“First class!”

Praise doesn’t get much better than that. If you want to receive this kind of brilliant service and amazing fuel savings, get in touch with Fuel Card Services.

At FCS Europe, our people are the heart of our business and we are constantly striving for excellence.

Our consultative and knowledgeable approach to everything we do sets us apart and we are always looking for new people to join our ever-expanding business.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen some amazing growth, from a new office in Halifax to a new office in a new country: Germany.

For us, standing still is not an option. Looking for progression?

With offices in Bellshill, Whitstable, Wantage, Leeds, Burnley, Halifax & Essen, Germany, we’ve got you covered!

Just ask our managing director Denise and she’ll tell you that the opportunities are there for the taking!

Join us today and fuel your career with FCS Europe.

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