Kwik Fit, the UK’s largest automotive repair company, has been named Fleet Service Provider of the Year by Lex Autolease, the UK’s leading vehicle management and fleet leasing company with a fleet of more than 380,000 cars and light commercial vehicles.

The prestigious award, presented at Lex Autolease’s annual Supplier Conference, comes as the two companies celebrate a 20-year sole supply arrangement.

What’s more, Kwik Fit has been a supplier to Lex Autolease since the 1980s and over the years the partnership has expanded to not only embrace tyre repair and replacement but additionally a range of ancillary services, including vehicle servicing and MoTs.

Andy Hartley, commercial director, Lex Autolease, said Kwik Fit won the Fleet Service Provider of the Year for a number of reasons.

He explained: “Kwik Fit is extremely easy to work with across all parts of the business. It continues to work with a number of teams within Lex Autolease to design and develop processes and services that further enhance our customer service levels, while simultaneously controlling costs.”

Mr Hartley specifically singled out corporate account manager Mark Lane and UK service, maintenance and repair business manager Dan Joyce for praise, explaining: “They both have a wealth of industry knowledge and fully understand the needs of our customers. They take the time to interact with multiple Lex Autolease employees across all departments to ensure they remain visible and available for them to discuss any queries or issues they may have.”

He added: “We are always aiming to build long-term, robust partnerships with our key suppliers and we’re delighted that the relationship with Kwik Fit has been in place for many years. Kwik Fit knows our business and understands our customers’ needs and that experience takes time to build.”

The Conference enables Lex Autolease to provide companies across all areas of its supply chain with an update on its business performance.

It is 30 years since the specialist fleet division of Kwik Fit was established in 1987 making Lex Autolease one of its longest established corporate customers.

Kwik Fit GB fleet sales director Andy Fern said: “Kwik Fit and Lex Autolease have a business relationship that stretches back to the days when the fleet industry was in its infancy. Both companies have expanded together to be number one in their respective sectors and being named Fleet Service Provider of the Year in Kwik Fit’s 30th anniversary year makes the award extra special.

“However, business growth and success only comes by truly understanding the requirements of customers. That is why the Kwik Fit team spend many hours with Lex Autolease employees at all levels of the business to gain detailed insight into not only their requirements but those of their end-user fleet customers.”

Mr Fern concluded: “It’s fantastic that Kwik Fit has been recognised by Lex Autolease in this way. Kwik Fit is always looking to innovate and bring new solutions to the table, all without diverting focus away from our core strength of tyres. We look forward to continuing to work with Lex Autolease to even further advance the service experience for their fleet customers.”