South West Water has equipped its new leak detection team with an initial fleet of 54 specially-equipped Peugeot Partner vans.

Converted by its local Dealership - Hawkins Motors in St Austell, Cornwall - 54 Partner SE L2 HDi 92 vans have been converted and equipped with specialist leak-detection equipment and traffic management signs and bollards to cater for roadside incidents.

Mark Karkeek, South West Water transport manager, said: "Faced with the opportunity to specify a whole new bespoke range of vans for this purpose provided us with a chance to do things quickly and utilised the expertise of our suppliers, helped by having first-hand experience of the durable Peugeot Partner van.

“Getting them modified for purpose by Hawkins, our local Peugeot Dealer, who converted the vehicle with our specific and exacting conversion requirements, was greatly appreciated."

Staff for the new team have been transferred from the previous outsourced supplier and start operational deployment with their new vans in October.

The supplying Peugeot Dealerships are Hawkins Motors and the Truscotts Group. This initial supply was handled by Hawkins as it was also commissioned to manage the specialist conversion requirements emphasising South West Water's commitment to using local suppliers with its operational area.

South West Water has a considerable van fleet, such is the nature of its business and since 2001 Peugeot is its primary supplier of Light Commercial Vehicles. The 54 Partner vans have been funded by Peugeot Contract Hire via a bespoke 5-year 100,000 mile Finance Lease scheme and maintenance agreement that was specifically developed for South West Water.

Nick George, national key account manager at Peugeot, said: "While we work hard to satisfy our customer's needs, the requirements and circumstances presented by South West Water provided us with an opportunity to tailor elements to suit their demands, and with the help of their local Peugeot Dealerships we have achieved great customer service and enhanced our working relationship."