Van fleets, manufacturers and suppliers are set to do battle for the keenly-contested and highly-prestigious Fleet Van Awards.

The 2014 Fleet Van Awards will be bigger and better than previous events. Key differences include changing the winners’ luncheon into an evening ceremony, while the date now coincides with the Fleet Van Summit on September 18 at The International Centre in Telford.

Stephen Briers, Fleet Van editor-in-chief, said: “Due to demand from the van fleet sector we have decided to reintroduce the black-tie evening awards ceremony. We want to recognise and honour the best in van fleet at a befitting awards show attended by the key influencers and decision-makers in the sector. Fleet Van Awards 2014 will be that show.”

Awards judges are drawn from experts across the fleet sector, including fleets themselves, leasing experts and pricing guides, and they give up hours of their time to take part in the judging discussions. Those discussions are thorough, vigorous and exhaustive: they ensure that only the most deserving people, companies and vans are honoured in the Fleet Van Awards.

The judges will be looking for a detailed understanding of all aspects of fleet management related to light commercialvehicles. There should be clear awareness of current and future legislation and a commitment to ensuring the fleet is run as safely and efficiently as possible. Innovation and a clear plan for cost control are also important. Good examples of best practice, including gaining support within the company will be valuable and there should be a clear knowledge of most factors relating to the fleet.

Van Fleet of the Year – Construction and Building
New category

Van Fleet of the Year – Transport and Logistics
2013 winner: Tube Lines

Van Fleet of the Year – Public Sector and Blue Light
2013 winner: NHS Blood & Transplant

Van Fleet of the Year – Business Services
2013 winner: The AA

Van Fleet of the Year – Utilities
2013 winner: E.On

Van Fleet of the Year – Wholesale and Food Distribution
2013 winner: Sainsbury’s Online

Safe Van Fleet of the Year
2013 winner: The Clancy Group

Green Van Fleet of the Year
2013 winner: Yorkshire Ambulance Service

Supplier Awards
The supplier must show that it offers a genuinely valuable service, product or other benefits to van fleet decision-makers. It needs to have been implemented well and, where possible, show demonstrable results. The judges will be particularly keen to see customer testimonials and case studies showing the benefits of any innovations.

Van Fleet Management and Leasing Company of the Year
2013 winner: BT Fleet

Van Rental Company of the Year
2013 winner: Europcar

Best New Product or Service
2013 winner: GreenRoad

Technology Initiative of the Year
2013 winner: Bott

Customer Service Awards
New category

Manufacturer Awards
These awards will be decided by a combination of deliberations from the Fleet Van Awards judges and a 12-point fleet-focused matrix which includes areas such as payload, safety, technology, running costs, fuel efficiency, reliability, aftersales service and back-up offered by the dealer network. Manufacturers can provide information using the short questionnaire designed to highlight the winning attributes of each model they enter.

City Van of the Year
2013 winner: Fiat Fiorino

Small Van of the Year
2013 winner: Citroen Berlingo

Medium Panel Van of the Year
2013 winner: Ford Transit Custom

Large Panel Van of the Year
2013 winner: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Pick-up Truck of the Year
2013 winner: Ford Ranger

Best Van Chassis Derivative
2013 winner: Vauxhall Movano

Green Fleet Manufacturer of the Year
2013 winner: Fiat Professional

Headline Awards

Van Fleet Supplier of the Year
2013 winner: BT Fleet

The supplier must show it offers a genuinely valuable service, product or other benefit to van fleet decision-makers. The judges will be particularly keen to see customer testimonials and case studies showing the benefits of these companies’ relationship with the supplier.

Van Fleet Manager of the Year
2013 winner: Michael Jackson,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Best practice, innovation and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances are key factors. A wide-ranging understanding of the varied role fleet plays in a business will be important. Of particular importance will be the role of the fleet in the business as a whole, with transport being recognised and supported as a key department that can make a significant financial difference.

Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year
2013 winner: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Chosen by the judges based on the winners of the seven individual van categories.

Van Fleet Manufacturer of the Year
2013 winner: Ford

The judges will want to see evidence of a real partnership approach from the manufacturers, with an unfailing investment of time and resource into supporting van fleet operators with new product, service innovations, a support network and availability of expertise.

To enter visit www.fleetvanawards.co.uk or contact Emma-Louise Kinnaird on emma-louise.kinnaird@bauermedia.co.uk or 01733 395133