Kwik Fit will be seeking to win new light commercial vehicle fleet business opportunities at the 2014 CV Show as it continues to increase its penetration of the vehicle servicing and MOT market.

This year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, which is being held at the NEC Birmingham from April 29 to May 1, will also see Kwik Fit exhibit its new-look mobile tyre fitting service van fleet displaying its 'we’ll come to you' service promise.

Following Kwik Fit’s acquisition by Itochu Corporation almost three years ago, the company has evolved from a fast-fit giant into a provider of a comprehensive range of motoring services with a major focus on the light commercial vehicle sector.

Kwik Fit says the strategy has been rewarded with significant growth in fleet mechanical work last year: vehicle brake-related work and MOTs increasing 51% and 21% respectively.

The company says fleets are also increasingly turning to Kwik Fit for vehicle servicing, particularly as the company continues to roll out its Kwik Fit Plus centre network, which, it claims, delivers a customer experience and quality consistent with a volume franchise dealership.

There will be about 20 sites by mid-2014 predominantly located in the south east of England. Furthermore, the company is planning to open up to an additional 50 Kwik Fit Plus centres each year.

Centres designated Kwik Fit Plus form part of the company’s ongoing multi-million refurbishment and modernisation programme and have effectively been divided in two with separate teams of fully trained staff each delivering traditional ‘fast-fit’ as well as mechanical services and promising a real alternative to franchise dealers in regards to quality, service and price.

The continuing improved service to van fleets also includes all centres designated “Kwik Fit Plus” being equipped with five-tonne lifts and having the capability to undertake MOTs on Class 7 vans - those over 3000 kg up to and including 3500 kg DGW (design gross weight).

Kwik Fit fleet director Peter Lambert said: "The Commercial Vehicle Show is the shop window for commercial vehicle operators. In recent years we have continued to expand our focus on this sector of the market and that is reflected in an increasing number of van operators using our centre and mobile services.

"Minimising vehicle downtime is critical to LCV operators so further centre developments and the continuing evolvement of our mobile offering will improve fleet operating performance. Our entire van proposition is designed to deliver an efficient and cost effective service and minimise vehicle downtime among our fleet customers.

"Importantly, this is reflected in our decision to stock a significantly broader range of light commercial vehicle tyres, which means a faster and more efficient service in terms of technicians replacing worn and damaged tyres, and ensuring our centres are capable of handling vans of all shapes and sizes, including the very largest."