OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2015. Ford has won a tender to supply the UK’s largest water and wastewater services provider with around 900 new vans over the next three years.

The single-badge deal with Ford will see Thames Water taking vehicles from across the Ford commercial vehicle range – Fiesta Van, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger.

The first batch of 223 vans has been delivered to the company’s bases in London and south-east England, and will play a vital role in Thames Water’s provision of water services to its nine million customers.

The van fleet – consisting of Transit Custom, Transit Connect, Transit, Fiesta Van and Ford Ranger – is equipped and liveried at the Southall workshops of Bri-Stor Systems.

The tender process was measured by whole-life costs, with Ford meeting all Thames Water’s vehicle requirements. Stephen Gafson, Ford direct sales manager, said: “We are delighted to have won this new contract with Thames Water, and to have come out on top in the company’s very thorough review and tender process.”

Michelle Nasr, Thames Water’s fleet and transportation manager, said: “Our fleet of 1,300 commercial vehicles is absolutely vital to the smooth running of our operations, and in maintaining the flow of 2,600 million litres of drinking water every day to our customers.”