Conservation Volunteers Australia
15 April 2009
Each company fleet is a unique and evolving operation. Toyota Fleet Management understands this basic tenet and services all customers on a case by case basis to address their individual needs. There are no 'off the rack' or 'one size fits all' fleet solutions at Toyota Fleet Management.
Leading environmental group Conservation Volunteers Australia's (CVA) has unique and varied fleet requirements that continue to be met with Toyota Fleet Management's flexible and customised solutions.
Over the past three years Toyota Fleet Management has repeatedly delivered timely and innovative fleet solutions for CVA, allowing the company to continue its good work out in the Australian bush.
The national not-for-profit organisation manages thousands of practical projects every year and requires a diverse range of customised vehicles to run its business and to transport its volunteer teams to conservation project areas.
The range of more than 150 vehicles includes Toyota HiAce vans, LandCruiser Troop Carriers, HiLux utilities, Camrys and Prius.
The Relationship
While CVA has leased vehicles through Toyota Fleet Management since 2003, the relationship flourished in 2005 when CVA approached Toyota Fleet Management to help them as their incumbent fleet management supplier could not accommodate their requirements.
The first major task CVA entrusted to Toyota Fleet Management was also one of its most crucial.
"We had just won a highly important Federal Government contract which required us to have about 30 vehicles ready in a very short time," said CVA Business Manager, Graeme Allen.
"To complicate the situation, we were in need of short-term leases on some of the vehicles, but the fleet management company we were with was not able to accommodate us."
Toyota Fleet Management?s ability to organise both the vehicles and varied lease options and durations with minimum hassle and great flexibility sealed the relationship.
CVA also needed a fleet management company that could supply a diverse range of vehicle solutions.
"Our conservation activities are wide-ranging and we required specialist vehicle configurations to suit the type of work our volunteers undertake and carry the equipment they require," said Mr Allen.
"For example, we were seeking a van option that would allow us to dispense with towing unwieldy equipment trailers."
"We also needed vehicles capable of transporting our teams to remote and rugged areas."
The Toyota Fleet Management Solution
Mr Allen says Toyota Fleet Management's response to their needs, especially in regard to a Federal Government youth development and conservation project, was swift. "They knew the ramifications for us if the concrete starting date for our government job was missed."Toyota Fleet Management ensured the vehicles were ordered directly from Japan and delivered to us in extremely good time so we commenced the contract on schedule."
CVA's unique fleet needs have required innovative thinking and a will to overcome challenging requests. For example, by removing the second row of seating entirely in a long-wheel-base HiAce and shifting the back row of seats forward, Toyota Fleet Management provided CVA with a vehicle that could transport both people and equipment.
"The installation of a rear cargo barrier created a safe storage area for tools and backpacks, meaning we didn't necessarily have to tow a trailer, which was a perfect solution for us."
Due to the often harsh and uneven terrain CVA operates in, Toyota Fleet Management recommended the 11-seat Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier.
The 'Troopie' is a vehicle normally used by the Australian Defence Forces, but has proven especially suitable for delivering the greatest number of CVA volunteers to jobs off the beaten track.
The relationship Toyota Fleet Management has built with CVA is based on sharing expert advice combined with a constant stream of information on the progress of any orders, new products or account issues.
As part of the global Toyota Group, Toyota Fleet Management's close relationship with Toyota Australia means that fleet solutions for businesses such as CVA are a seamless process from start to finish.
The Endorsement
Mr Allen said entrusting CVA's fleet requirements to Toyota Fleet Management allowed his organisation to focus on its core business activities."Our business has diverse and expanding requirements and Toyota Fleet Management have the product that suits our requirements, both financial and on ground."
"Toyota Fleet Management took the time to deeply understand our specific needs and formulate effective solutions."
"We have a sensational relationship with them and I recommend them absolutely."
To learn more about how Toyota Fleet Management can find a customised and flexible fleet solution for your business call 1300 888 870 to speak to one of our consultants.
The Business
Conservation Volunteers Australia is Australia's leading practical conservation organisation.
CVA manages more than 2,000 outdoor projects every year to protect and propagate habitats for flora and fauna throughout Australia.
With the help of more than 10,000 volunteers, CVA plants over 1 million trees per annum and provides training to more than 1,000 individuals and groups across Australia.
CVA also works in partnership with the Federal and state governments and with many of Australia's top businesses to tackle conservation priorities.
In order to deliver conservation projects nationwide, CVA has a network of more than 20 offices across Australia, 150 full-time employees and a fleet of more than 150 vehicles.
CVA first became aware of Toyota Fleet Management in 2005 through Toyota Australia's (TMCA's) Community Spirit corporate citizenship program, which provides financial support and other Toyota network resources to community organisations.