Two of South Wales' fastest growing businesses are celebrating a lucrative 15-year business partnership that has now topped £2 million in value - and is responsible for keeping thousands of properties across the region maintained.

ASW Group, a property services company covering Wales, the Midlands and the South West of England, is reliant upon a fleet of more than 50 vans to conduct maintenance, repairs, refurbishment and a comprehensive facilities management service, to thousands of properties owned by private companies, local authorities and social housing providers.

The company's vans are supplied by Neath-based Low Cost Vans, a fast growing company that supplies vans across the UK. ASW Group's most recent transaction with Low Cost Vans saw it take delivery of a number of LWB Ford Transit Customs.

Anthony Thomas, managing director of ASW Group, says that receiving the right vehicle on the right deal, taking into account the end-to-end lifecycle cost of that vehicle, is critical to the company being able to operate effectively.

"We are two successful local companies with a business relationship that now spans around 15 years," said Thomas. "We received a number of Ford Transits recently, but that is just the latest instalment. We have calculated that the business deal between us has now topped £2m.

"What Low Cost Vans does for us is critical to our business. Our vehicles respond to approximately 20,000 repair calls every year so it is not about having just any old van. Low Cost Vans take into account the best van for our needs given its requirements, the cost of wear and tear, residual value and fuel efficiency - the lifetime cost of that vehicle.

"They then suggest the best deal for us taking all that into account. It is one of the biggest costs in our business and we feel the support we get ensures we always get the best deal possible."

Thomas says that inspired by data provided by Low Cost Vans, ASW Group also has the latest technology attached to all its vehicles which give live feedback to the drivers on their performance and provides real time information back to the business. This helps drive efficiencies and cost management across the business.

Rod Lloyd, managing director of Low Cost Vans, added: "Although we are a national company with customers all over the UK, we are also very proud of our home in South West Wales. We like to support other companies locally and it is fantastic to have such a long-term customer in ASW Group whose success we can help support.

"We pride ourselves at Low Cost Vans in doing a lot more than simply selling vehicles. We like to ensure the deal we offer each customer is the right fit for them and their business taking into account all factors from finance and mileage to who deals with wear and tear."

ASW Group, which now has a turnover in excess of £10m and employs more than 100 staff across Wales, is one of the biggest providers of such services to local authorities, social housing providers and commercial clients across Wales and the South West.

Low Cost Vans has also enjoyed solid growth in recent years and now boasts a turnover of more than £10m. It offers a wide range of new vans for lease or contract hire at great prices. It can arrange free delivery to anywhere in mainland UK.