Case Study - BVT - On-site & Hire Management

Working in Partnership
Managing total hire requirements for clients

BVT Surface Fleet is an engineering and support services company operating at the heart of the integrated surface ship design, build and through life support operations in Portsmouth. Originally founded in 1998 to manage the former Portsmouth Royal Dockyard, the company is a 50/50 joint venture between VT Group and BAE SYSTEMS.

The Challenge
The client had an existing plant hire provider, but the relationship was inefficient due to renegade hires and plant not being taken off hire promptly. What was wanted was a single source supplier to supply the full range of plant that was required. Unfortunately, a search for a single supplier of all plant proved fruitless.

The Solution
It was decided to select key suppliers in a range of areas and appoint an additional top tier organisation acting as the management company for the other suppliers.  The key challenges faced by this overarching supplier were; a logistical issue in controlling the other suppliers, a need to understand the plant hire requirements on the site, a sound technical competency, plus a robust administrative system delivering the required management and accounting information. Speedy was identified to deliver against the above challenges. This is done with an on-site depot with a dedicated team.

Ian Miles, procurement executive, BVT Surface Fleet, said  "Speedy and ourselves put in place sound on and off hire processes, which has helped in dramatically reducing the renegade hire problem, and the reporting and analysis procedures have massively increased our understanding of the type and frequency of plant hired on the site.

"This achievement hasn't happened overnight – it has been a 2 year process of planning, implementing the new disciplines and consistent service delivery from Speedy. We have  achieved substantial cost savings, in the region of 50%, equating close to £1m."

This on-site arrangement is one of a number currently operating within major projects across the UK.