SSI Services group, the specialist contracting arm of South Staffordshire Plc, has bolstered its fleet of over 1,200 LCVs by striking a deal with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The deal, for 100 new Caddy and 23 new Transporter models, adds to a fleet of 800 Caddys, as well as Transporter and Crafter models.

SSI Services provides a broad range of specialist contracting services to end-user clients and major contractors working in regulated infrastructure markets, with customers including utilities, main contractors, local authorities, FM companies and regulated bodies (Environment Agency etc.). These specialist works include lightning protection, concrete repair, drainage services, asset survey and testing, leak detection of buried pipework, water quality monitoring, portable dam installation and mechanical engineering.

The latest vehicles to be added to the fleet will be supplied across a number of SSI Services’ specialist business arms including Omega Red, Intergrated Water Services and Hydrosave. Central to securing the new vehicle contract was the company’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint. It therefore opted for the newly-launched Caddy and Transporter vehicles which feature BlueMotion Technology as standard.

SSI engineers using the new vehicles also benefit from the latest driver assistance and safety systems which are standard in both Caddy and Transporter models, such as Brake Assist and Automatic Post Collision Braking, to help keep them safe on the roads. The company also has the reassurance of Volkswagen’s dedicated network of 72 Van Centres and 24 Authorised Repairers which ensure its vans are never far from maintenance or aftersales support.

Bob Stokes, head of fleet for South Staffordshire Plc, said: “We operate a hard-working, sizeable fleet and our engineers rely on their vehicles as an extension to their toolkits. We have worked closely with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for over ten years, and find the reliability, whole life costs and aftersales package unrivalled – which is why the brand was top of the list when it came to renewal. We are looking forward to taking delivery of the new models and the added safety and driver benefits will ensure that our fleet continues to run smoothly.”

Chris Black, Head of Fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, said: “It’s fantastic that one of our long-standing customers will be adding our latest Caddy and Transporter vans to its fleet. It truly is a testament to the strength of our product development and complete aftersales service that our customers return to us, time-after-time.”