Citroën Berlingos Deliver Hewer FM Green Efficiency Gains

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – April 14, 2009: Major financial, environmental and productivity benefits have been gained with a new fleet of Citroën Berlingo vans just in service with Hewer Facilities Management Ltd (Hewer FM). The 35 Berlingo LX 1.6HDi 90hp L1 850 vans just delivered to the Gloucester-headquartered company are also finished in a striking all-new black livery with red sign writing.

Robert Willmott, Hewer FM’s contract manager, comments: “Prior to specifying Berlingo vans we carried out a comprehensive evaluation process involving all the premium vans in this sector. As a result of these trials, the Berlingo came out on top, meeting our tough financial, environmental and operational parameters. In replacing our four year old Citroën Dispatch vans, which have delivered excellent service, we wanted to cut emissions, reduce running costs and improve operational efficiency. With the new Berlingo we believe that we have achieved the optimum transport solution with lower CO2 emissions, better fuel consumption and a smaller size van, which provides operational benefits in urban environments.”

In service with Hewer FM the new Berlingos are returning up to 25 per cent better fuel consumption. And, the company is achieving further environmental and cost saving benefits as the Berlingos are using 30 per cent bio diesel fuel.

“We have also achieved further cost savings with these vans as we are now paying lower insurance premiums. In addition, we are achieving productivity advantages, thanks to the Berlingo’s standard Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation system – and the Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking system is a major peace-of-mind feature,” Mr Willmott adds.

Hewer FM’s new Berlingos have been supplied by Citroën dealer Warners of Cheltenham on three-year, 60,000 mile Lex Vehicle Leasing with-maintenance contract hire agreements. The Berlingos have been fitted with a full steel bulkhead, polypropylene load compartment lining, non-slip composite flooring, roof bars and Citroën’s optional Bluetooth mobile phone connection equipment.

Wurth Bodyline racking, specifically designed to meet the requirements of Hewer FM’s engineers, is also fitted. As such, the new Berlingos can carry the same amount of tools and parts as the larger Dispatch vans they replace – and with their dual passenger seat can also carry up to three people as required.

Hewer FM is involved in heating and electrical projects for businesses, local authority and health services, as well as domestic customers within a 50 mile radius of the company’s headquarters. The company is also growing its business, with the launch of its Failsafe domestic heating care plan. This new service, which is priced from just £10.50 per month, is proving very popular, with over 600 new customers gained since its launch. The company’s new Berlingos are being used by its skilled heating and electrical engineers to carry out its wide ranging facilities management activities.

“We specified Citroën Berlingos as part of a total company commitment to greener and more efficient business practice. As such, the Berlingo delivers on our key environmental, economical and operational requirements and will provide fuel cost savings of many thousands of pounds, reduce our CO2 emissions by several tonnes a year and further improve the productivity of our skilled engineers,” concludes Robert Willmott.