Epyx will manage the SMR of more that five million fleet vehicles following the acquisition of Business Gateway AG (BGAG), by Fleetcor.

BGAG provides leasing companies operating almost one million vehicles in Germany, Switzerland and eight other European countries with SMR management technology, connecting them to over 25,000 garages and fast-fit centres.

The business was acquired by Epyx’s parent company Fleetcor.

Aditya Varadpande (pictured), managing director for Fleetcor’s European fleet management and payment card businesses, said: “The synergy between BGAG and our 1link Service Network platform, which is the long established industry standard for SMR management in the UK and several other countries, is obvious. The two companies will be an excellent fit.

“In addition to our existing presences in France, Portugal, Denmark and Ireland, this new acquisition allows us to provide sophisticated digital fleet tyre process technology across almost every major European fleet market. For pan-European leasing companies, we are becoming a potential single point of access for world-leading SMR or tyre management, allowing them to maximise the benefits of digitisation.”

Management teams from both companies will work to help BGAG integrate its technology with epyx, meaning their combined systems will handle SMR for over five million company cars, vans and trucks.

Fleetcor is planning a programme of long-term investment in BGAG to develop new digital functionality such as online driver booking, connected vehicle data and advanced insight products, while also enhancing cybersecurity and platform stability.

BGAG co-founder Gerald Kurz, added: “I am proud of everything we have achieved at BGAG, from humble beginnings in 2000 to becoming a trusted leasing partner across Europe. Now, combining our expertise with Fleetcor and Epyx will allow us to expand our reach and deliver even more value to our customers.

“With our new backing, we will be able to accelerate the development of new products and services, enter new markets and facilitate easy access to a wide range of complementary fleet products and services. It is a new and exciting era for us.”