One of Europe’s leading commercial vehicle brands, FIAT Professional, has come on board as sponsors of the newly created Best Van Fleet Award in the annual Fleet Transport Awards 2015.

"This new award sets out to recognise companies which operate a number of light commercial vehicles and consistently demonstrates best practice in their day-to-day operation. As the van sector includes a large number of companies which are not primarily engaged in transport, there is great scope to include these SMEs in this competition which use light commercials to provide services to their customers or end users,” said Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport magazine.

Five companies operating a fleet of vans around the country have been shortlisted for this inaugural prize namely; Colkar Transport (Dublin), DPD Galway (Deavey Transport), Homecare Medical (Mayo), Sligo Haulage & Distribution Ltd (Sligo) and Thermodial (Dublin). Representatives from each company were invited to make a presentation to an expert panel of adjudicators last week with the overall winner announced at the Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner to be held at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on 2 October next.

Over 800 representatives from the Irish transport industry and commercial vehicle sector are expected to attend this high profile event compered by Today FM’s Bob Conway and RTE Radio 1’s Brenda Donohue with entertainment provided by Galway based Arcana.

FIAT Professional, the brand name for FIAT Group Automobile’s Light Commercial Vehicles subsidiary, manufactures and markets a broad range of vans from the Fiorino, Doblo Cargo, Scudo & Ducato.

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Tim Cronin, FIAT Professional’s newly appointed Brand Manager in Ireland, noted: “We were very keen to be present at Fleet Transport Awards as each year is attended by the most successful transport businesses in the country. Being able to sponsor the new “Best Van Fleet Award” was a perfect opportunity to not only have the FIAT Professional brand represented at this important event, but also showcase our full range of vehicles including the new, six-generation FIAT Ducato.”