Viking International in "Efficiency Drive"; 24hr Facility to Open

Viking International’s group managing director Kevin Parker says that the company has “embarked on a period of change within Viking that is unparalleled in its history” during the last 12 months. Parker has implemented a number of initiatives designed to streamline efficiency and improve customer service. He is also the head of Viking’s sister company National Fleet and he believes the best way to drive the business forward includes the partnership of these companies, providing a more complete service to customers; this would include wholesale tyres and automotive parts alongside fleet solutions for dealers and independent partners.

Having opened a new sales office – officially launched in July – Viking will make the facility a 24-hour sales service. To emphasise the growing link between Viking and National Fleet, a number of the sales team has moved to Viking, already having a good working knowledge of the company’s products and processes. Parker comments: “The new sales office will be beneficial to both the company and our customers. Our sales team will be under one roof for a more unified ordering process, and the 24-hour ordering will offer customers a greater degree of flexibility and improve overall service.”

Viking’s business is supported by its e-Commerce site VI Online, which offers customers the company’s range of tyres, exhausts, cats, batteries and consumables on the internet. VI Online provides real time stocking information, pricing and a full suite of account management services to its growing user base. The introduction of ‘Viking Rewards’, an online loyalty programme that yields points that can be redeemed against a catalogue of products with purchases of equipment and consumables, is described by the company as “a cornerstone of Viking’s business strategy”.

Viking has also made improvements to its operational processes, culminating in the introduction of a one hour ‘Express Delivery’ service. Following a successful trial and “very positive customer feedback”, the service is now available at its Glasgow, Manchester, Gateshead and Preston warehouses.

The wholesaler has also invested in a new sales and contact management system throughout the company, allowing Viking customers to receive a faster and more efficient front end service. Employees across the company also complete a Level 2 NVQ qualification, enabling them to access further opportunities for development within the company whilst providing improved service to customers.

Parker concludes: “With particular attention on improving the efficiency of our business’ operations, coupled with a considerable focus on providing exceptional levels of customer service, we are confident that our customers will have experienced many positive changes which we will continue to build on in 2010 and beyond.”

Viking International’s group managing director Kevin Parker says that the company has “embarked on a period of change within Viking that is unparalleled in its history” during the last 12 months. Parker has implemented a number of initiatives designed to streamline efficiency and improve customer service. He is also the head of Viking’s sister company National Fleet and he believes the best way to drive the business forward includes the partnership of these companies, providing a more complete service to customers; this would include wholesale tyres and automotive parts alongside fleet solutions for dealers and independent partners.

Having opened a new sales office – officially launched in July – Viking will make the facility a 24-hour sales service. To emphasise the growing link between Viking and National Fleet, a number of the sales team has moved to Viking, already having a good working knowledge of the company’s products and processes. Parker comments: “The new sales office will be beneficial to both the company and our customers. Our sales team will be under one roof for a more unified ordering process, and the 24-hour ordering will offer customers a greater degree of flexibility and improve overall service.”

Viking’s business is supported by its e-Commerce site VI Online, which offers customers the company’s range of tyres, exhausts, cats, batteries and consumables on the internet. VI Online provides real time stocking information, pricing and a full suite of account management services to its growing user base. The introduction of ‘Viking Rewards’, an online loyalty programme that yields points that can be redeemed against a catalogue of products with purchases of equipment and consumables, is described by the company as “a cornerstone of Viking’s business strategy”.

Viking has also made improvements to its operational processes, culminating in the introduction of a one hour ‘Express Delivery’ service. Following a successful trial and “very positive customer feedback”, the service is now available at its Glasgow, Manchester, Gateshead and Preston warehouses.

The wholesaler has also invested in a new sales and contact management system throughout the company, allowing Viking customers to receive a faster and more efficient front end service. Employees across the company also complete a Level 2 NVQ qualification, enabling them to access further opportunities for development within the company whilst providing improved service to customers.

Parker concludes: “With particular attention on improving the efficiency of our business’ operations, coupled with a considerable focus on providing exceptional levels of customer service, we are confident that our customers will have experienced many positive changes which we will continue to build on in 2010 and beyond.”