The benefits of a mobile workshop
Prohire’s repair and maintenance arm is making a strategic shift from relying on traditional bricks ‘n’ mortar to expanding its mobile technician service across the UK. CVW reports.
In a move that it says will improve the service to customers and the working conditions of its employees, Prohire has gone mobile, recruiting technicians and investing in state-of-the-art vehicles
The move follows the successful introduction of mobile technicians at the company’s Tunbridge Wells depot, says Gary Banister, fleet asset director at Prohire.
“We found that vehicle up-time has increased and customer feedback has been positive,” he explains. “It’s also led to building stronger relationships on-site with fleet managers.”
The company’’s mobile technicians are now equipped with state-of-the-art vehicles that act as fully functional mobile workshops, eliminating the need for customers to visit garages. This approach reduces downtime for vehicles, provides a more flexible and responsive service and is also popular with the technicians themselves.
“Having a mobile workshop makes attending to our customers easier as it allows me to have my tools and equipment readily available wherever I go,” says Harry Timberlake, one of the company’s first mobile technicians. “The setup in the van saves me time and increases my efficiency, especially for on-the-go projects or emergency repairs.”
Harry and colleague Andrew Goss will support customers in London and the South from the Tunbridge Wells depot while Anthony Lewis, formerly of Zenith’s mobile division, will cover the North West. Andrew Bristow, previously a regional engineer for the Freight Transport Association, will service the Birmingham motorway corridor.
The new mobile service vehicles, including an electric vehicle (EV) dedicated to London, are equipped with advanced racking, work-benches, diagnostic equipment, and tools. This setup allows Prohire’s technicians to perform maintenance and repairs directly at the customer’s location, whether roadside or on-site.
Reflecting Prohire’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, the mobile service is entirely paperless. Job management, including parts ordering, is conducted via tablets, and parts are sourced through a partnership with suppliers using pick-up points along the motorway network.
Telematics systems are installed in all vehicles for remote fault diagnosis, tracking, accident detection, and driver behaviour analysis, ensuring optimal performance and allowing Prohire to report on CO2 savings.
“Expanding our mobile technicians service enables us to take control of the customer experience, manage costs more efficiently and also invest in people by creating these new roles, with more to come in the future,” concludes Banister.
The company believes that by moving away from fixed vehicle maintenance units and embracing a mobile solution, it is not only meeting the needs of its customers more effectively but also providing its technicians with the tools and environment they need to excel.
It regards the move to mobile technicians as a strategic shift that is a key element in its vision to lead the industry in sustainable and customer-focused vehicle services.
Prohire, headquartered in Stoke-on- Trent, Staffordshire, employs more than 90 people and continues to offer nationwide commercial vehicle rental, long-term contract hire, fleet maintenance, accident repair management, and fleet compliance services across the UK.
