The simple secret to our success story is to base Vans around the country using 'Ambulance' Management principles, deploying and basing assetts (vans and their drivers) in optimum locations to meet predicted demand. Each route is circular and this enables us to remove the need for multi-sites. Drivers simply drop off samples before returning to home. A multitude of consumables and other products are also dropped off as required. We even support companies we work closely with such as Minerva Sciietific.

Each van is kitted out with a set of Quality Transport Documents and each driver is trained and re-trained every six months. All Vans have spill kits, temperture loggers, sat navs, mobile phones, tracker technology, safety kit and clothing, and every van is checked every day, every week and annually, in addition to being serviced every 8 weeks. Imperial Commercials are a national firm and they have the contract to service and maintain the fleet, as well as provide new vans. Their locations and contracted service levels mean we are rarely without a van. In cases where Vans are off the road for prolonged periods Falabs maintains three spare vans in Stoke and several on call part time drivers, thus assuring the service making it probably the best lab transport service/fleet in the UK.

Many customers need up to two sometimes 3 collections a day so van routes are designed around this need for flexibility; for example there is a morning and evening collection in the Anglia region with samples getting back to the lab in two tranches throughout the day, beating any service offered by labs based in that area. The lab then works to 4 a.m. before initiating the daily clean down ready for the following day.

Our day starts at 7. a.m. and finishes at 4. a.m. We do not know what midnight means!

We have a sizable component of the fleet based in the Anglia/Grimsby region (Grimsby/Spalding/Chatteris potential customers please note).: The fleet is comprised of 6 Fiat Scudo's, 6 Fiat Doblo's, 1 Renault Traffic , 2 Citroen Berlingo's and 3 Ford Connects.

Further Ford Transit Connects Long Wheel Base vans are on order with a view to replacing the fleet over a three year period.

All drivers are carefully selected and recruited for their courtesy, well dressed and pleasant manner as well as their ability to be flexible and respond to customers directly. We encourage them to form good relationships with their customers so they can respond to personal and individual circumstances in order to provide the best possible service. Our drivers do not just drive they are an integral part of the Falabs customer delight service.

Locations

FAL is probably in the best location to serve the UK being on the A50 which links to the M6 and the M1 directly, North and South respectively. With a second site planned on the M1, A38, A1 area to serve the Eastern region Falabs is preparing for major service expansion.