LAPV recently organised an industry round table discussion, in which leading manufacturers and suppliers to the local government fleet management sector took part. After speaking to a range of people at key trade events about the current state of the industry, we had noticed that the most manufacturers were facing the same challenges.
LAPV took action and on a hot day in August we discussed the issues faced in 2013.This resulted in a highly animated discussion which revealed several key insights.

2013 has been a challenging year with the new Euro VI engine legislation coming up. Soon the remaining Euro V chassis had run out, and many local authorities felt the need to extend existing contracts, with the price increase of Euro VI in mind. However, what was most prevalent from the discussion was the perceived lack of a unified fleet management strategy for local authorities in the UK, which makes procurement increasingly difficult. Delegates highlighted that there is a 'tick box' approach to tenders which doesn't result in solutions that provide added value for clients, and that there is a lack of understanding about 'whole life costs'.

They also felt that current frameworks and public buying organisations had not evolved with the times. Strong opinions, but LAPV would like to find out what fleet and procurement managers in public sector and local authority contracts think about current fleet procurement practice. This is why we are setting up another forum (early 2014) in which we will discuss and highlight procurement practice in local government fleet management. Do you have strong views on these issues and wish to take part?

Please email: am.knegt@hgluk.com. This invite is open to respondents from local government and private sector, manufacturers and suppliers.


Ann-Marie Knegt, editor LAPV

tel: 01935 374001