Ogilvie Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Ogilvie Group is 60 years old and the company has taken delivery of a uniquely liveried 40-strong fleet of Ford vans that also marks the diamond jubilee landmark of its business relationship with the ‘blue oval’.

Ogilvie Group started life as a construction company in Scotland. However, an on-going diversification strategy has seen the Stirling-headquartered company transformed into an organisation with a turnover of more than £200 million with six divisions, including Ogilvie Fleet.

The new Ford Transit Custom 2.0 TDCi 125 Trend models, a mix of panel vans and double cabs, feature Ogilvie Group’s new corporate livery as well as special 60th anniversary logos. They join a Group fleet containing some 65 light commercial vehicles.

The Ogilvie Group also includes Ogilvie Construction, Ogilvie Homes, Ogilvie Communications, Ogilvie Geomatics and Ogilvie Net-Defence, and while most of the new fleet will be operated by the construction division unique delivery on the rear doors promotes each of the six businesses.

Furthermore, to mark the launch of the new fleet a Ford 1912 Model T one ton pick-up truck, which was driven by current chief executive Duncan Ogilvie’s grandfather when he launched the business, has been restored to its former glory. Ogilvie Group’s Jim Penman sourced the parts and undertook the restoration work over two years.

The Ogilvie Group has been steered by three generation of the Ogilvie family. To mark the 60th anniversary one of the new Transit Custom vans displays the company’s original amber and claret livery, the organisation’s corporate identity until the 1980s, in recognition of the founder’s - also called Duncan Ogilvie - time as a player with Motherwell Football Club in Scotland.

The new fleet of Transit Customs will be operated for up to four years and they replace Ford Transit models.

Ian Mills, National Manager Contract Hire and Leasing for Ford Fleet Operations, said: “We at Ford are proud of our long and successful partnership with the Ogilvie Group, and we are delighted by the confidence shown by the company in our products over the remarkable period of 60 years.

“We feel sure that Ford’s new Transit Custom, which set the benchmark for technology, fuel efficiency and load space in this market sector to secure International Van of the Year in 2013, will prove safe, reliable and hardworking in service. We look forward to many more years of collaboration with Ogilvie Group.”

Ogilvie Fleet purchasing manager Nick Geldart, who negotiated the deal, said: “The new fleet marks the start of a new era for Ogilvie Group with a refreshed corporate livery and a bright future.

“We have forged a very strong relationship with Ford over 60 years and have every confidence in their products. Over the years the Ford vans we have operated have proved themselves to be reliable, fit for purpose with excellent whole life operating costs and strong residual values. Furthermore, the Transit Custom is new to the sector and is a step up in class.”

Group marketing director Nick Hardy, who is also sales and marketing director at Ogilvie Fleet, which has well over 11,000 company cars and vans on its books, said: “Whilst the Ogilvie Group has traditional values, it has survived and flourished over six decades and a number of recessions, constantly adapting its business model and commercial approach to remain profitable and able to reinvest. The company’s diversified portfolio enjoys a solid financial foundation, providing stability and security for staff and clients alike.”

He added: “We have refreshed the brand to introduce a more contemporary look that retains the recognisable Group identity and uses colour and modern graphics to promote each company. As a result the Ogilvie Fleet branding has evolved.”

Ogilvie Fleet anticipates further expansion and is forecasting 10% organic growth in 2014/15 which will result in it operating around 12,000 vehicles on behalf of clients.

Chief executive Duncan Ogilvie added: “All of the businesses are performing well and we expect to continue our 60-year track record of growth and expansion. Much of that success is the result of our people and their unstinting commitment to delivering the highest standards of customer service with integrity, accountability and professionalism.”

The new vans were wrapped by fleet livery and branding specialists Mediafleet, of Witney, Oxfordshire.