Hertz Joins FTA in Drive for Excellence in the UK Van Sector

LONDON, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Hertz UK set to become the first vehicle hire company to embrace the industry-initiated Van Excellence scheme

The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ), the world's largest general use car rental brand, has joined forces with the Freight Transport Association (FTA), one of the UK's largest trade associations, to support the Van Excellence accreditation scheme launched earlier this year by the FTA. Aligning efforts with some of the biggest operators including Sainsbury's, DHL, City Link and Carillion, Hertz will support the industry in recognising excellence and the highest standards by actively promoting the voluntary Van Excellence Code (VEC) in all its services.

The VEC is aimed at establishing a comprehensive and realistic code of conduct for van operators which will benefit businesses, the environment and all road users. It sets standards in three primary areas: vehicle maintenance, driver competence and behaviour, and environmental impact. Following its tradition for leading innovation and excellence, Hertz will be the first vehicle rental company to endorse the VEC and promote the benefits of Van Excellence accreditation amongst its van-hire customers.

Hertz works with thousands of large and small van operators, from self-employed van drivers to large operators with 500+ van fleets.  Equally diverse is its range of van rental and fleet management solutions - including the Hertz Owner Driver program, a choice of daily, medium and long-term van hire services and Hertz' new fleet management software.  

Hertz has a particularly strong foothold within the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, and through its Owner Driver Van Hire Scheme works with large numbers of self-employed van drivers who provide distribution services on a sub-contract basis for the express parcels industry. The SME sector accounts for most of the three million vans on the road in the UK and is where Hertz can play a key role in helping to promote the new VEC standard.  

Michel Taride, President of Hertz International, said: "As one of the world's leading provider of transport solutions, we are committed to the development of all sectors of the transport industry and have always implemented rigorous standards in all our operations.  As vans are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK and also critical to the small and medium business economies, it is extremely crucial to have high standards such as the voluntary Van Excellence Code. Combining our strengths with the expertise, knowledge and services of the FTA, we are confident of the success of Van Excellence and are proud to support the FTA in this initiative."

Mark Cartwright, Head of Vans and LCV's at FTA, commented: "It is a pleasure to welcome Hertz into our association. The success of any initiative on such a large scale requires the support of all the biggest players in the industry. With a reputation for exceptional services and a large customer base, we have no doubt that our relationship with Hertz will be a great asset in our efforts to set the standard for future working practices in the van sector."

About Freight Transport Association (FTA)

FTA represents over 14,000 vehicle operators running over 220,000 trucks and 1.2 million vans. FTA provides member organisations with a wide range of support services to assist with the safe, legal and efficient operation of their fleets. FTA's Van Excellence program exists to recognise excellence and improve standards in van operations. There are currently over 110 operators engaged in the scheme operating in excess of 140,000 vans

About Hertz

Hertz is the world's largest general use car rental company, operating from over 8,500 corporate locations in 150 countries worldwide. Hertz is in its 93rd year of delivering quality car rental solutions to leisure and corporate customers.

Product and service innovations such as Hertz #1 Club Gold, Worldwide Online Check-in, specially designed NeverLost® satellite navigation systems, and unique cars offered through the company's Prestige, Family, Fun/Adrenaline and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition.  More information can be obtained from to http://www.hertz.com.

Hertz Press Contacts

Caroline Trotman Dickenson
Ketchum Pleon
T: +44-20-7611-3686
E:caroline.trotman-dickenson@ketchumpleon.com 

Luke Campbell
Ketchum Pleon
T: +44-207-611-3835
E: luke.campbell @ketchumpleon.com