Franchise Decision Helped Van Hire Firm To Expand

Express & Echo:

With more than 20 years’ management experience in contract hire, leasing and daily rental, I wanted to take control of my future, so in 1994 I established Vehicle Save (UK) Limited as a franchisee of Kenning Car and Van Rental with just 2 full-time staff, including myself.

Twice in the following 8 years, the franchisor changed hands and changes resulted in Kennings losing a substantial part of their customer base. Consequently, I took the commercial decision to terminate the arrangement and negotiate a new franchise with market leader National Car Rental. This involved a substantial investment to purchase the rights to become official franchisee for the South West peninsula.

As a result, Vehicle Save (UK) Limited rapidly expanded from 2 to 5 branches across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. This involved the transfer of a large number of National employees to our staff under TUPE employment laws. Today we have 95 staff at branches in Exeter, Taunton, Newquay and 2 in Plymouth, with over 800 cars and vans.

It is always important to look at business growth and it was a natural progression to launch our second company, Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing Limited, 12 months ago, offering long-term contract hire and leasing of cars and light commercial vehicles to business clients. This service complements the daily rental business and was a major contributory factor in recently winning a prestigious 3-year contract with Babcock Marine at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth.