Viking International Making Operational Improvements

Viking International says that it has made a number of positive developments over the last year to streamline efficiency and improve customer service. Kevin Parker was appointed as Group managing director at the start of the year, and has been entrusted with heading the Viking brand as well as retaining responsibility for sister company, National Fleet. Parker believes that the companies have the potential to deliver a fruitful collaborative effort, providing an increased service offering to customers, from wholesale tyres and automotive parts, right the way though to fleet solutions for its dealers.

Viking is particularly proud of the new and improved VI Online ordering facility. Batteries were recently added to the comprehensive range of tyres, exhausts and cats available online, providing real time stocking information and special offers highlighted for ease of use. Since its redevelopment, Viking states that the site has seen a 50 per cent increase in visitors, while orders have more than doubled. Customer feedback, it says, has been extremely positive.

Several operational improvements and initiatives have been launched within Viking as a result of customer feedback: the sales process has been streamlined and a one hour express delivery service implemented in depots across the company thanks to its initial popularity.

Viking also recognises the importance of investing its staff: over the past year, there has been a renewed focus on staff training and development. Employees across the company have completed a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification, helping them access further opportunities for development within the company and enabling them to provide an even greater standard of service to customers. Parker commented, “With many changes taking place this year, we are proud to provide an exceptional service offering within the tyre market which we will continue to build on and improve.”