A Boldon based company which offers state of the art technology in the latest vehicle tracking systems is celebrating its achievements as a successful first year in business comes to a close.
Fleetm8 is made up of a team of specialists offering clients intelligent transport management solutions. With a range of sister companies based on site at the Hi-Tech Village in Boldon, the business is at the forefront of cutting edge technologies and innovations.
Marketing director, Neil Herron, 46, said: “This is an exciting time for the company. We have recently won a high profile contract with Arriva buses in Glasgow, we’re currently trialing with some major transport companies in the capital and we have a number of new inventions in the pipeline.
“The new contract with Arriva has been tailored to monitor buses by the second, ensuring that they are staggered – all your buses coming at once will become a thing of the past.”
Fleetm8 was founded in autumn 2008 by Neil Herron and his business partner, Dr Phillip Tann, 47.
Dr Tann, a former Sunderland University lecturer, hit the headlines when his invention successfully proved in court that he had not been speeding. He was caught doing 42mph in a 30mph zone but data from his cutting edge vehicle tracking device showed he was actually only traveling at 29.18mph. Combining Dr Tann’s invention with the skills of Sunderland businessman, Neil, a high profile campaigner and leading expert in traffic and parking matters, the business was born.
Neil said: “This is a very busy time for the company. Following the invention of the vehicle tracking systems, which offer clients the opportunity to track the exact location of their fleet in real time, we’ve also been working on a range of brand new products.
“It really is awe inspiring stuff. We can now offer clients virtual loading bays, the latest in anti-theft technology and we’re currently developing highly visible traffic signs – lollipop sticks – to make the walk to school safer for children.
“We hope to offer complete customer satisfaction, with bespoke solutions that provide a range of benefits to our clients, including improved accuracy, cheaper fuel costs and greener alternatives.”
The company has also recently received a grant from South Tyneside Council to help with capital expenditure.
Neil said: “The help we have had from South Tyneside Council has been fantastic. It has been great to work with a forward thinking organisation that is passionate about the region and we hope to continue working with the team in the future.
“The workforce at Fleetm8 currently stands at 15 staff but over the next 18 months as we take our new products to market, we hope to expand and take on up to 50 people generating more jobs in the region and bringing prosperity to the North East.”
Councillor Michael Clare, Lead Member Jobs, Enterprise and Regeneration for South Tyneside Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see this company flying the flag for business in South Tyneside.
“In taking their products worldwide Fleetm8 is showcasing all that the borough has to offer in terms of technology and innovation. It’s just incredible that the world’s most accurate commercial vehicle tracking system is based right here in South Tyneside.”
Advice and funding to support individuals and groups wishing to start a business in South Tyneside is available from South Tyneside Means Business. To find out more contact South Tyneside Means Business on 0845 460 3333 or visit www.southtynesidemeansbusiness.co.uk
Tracking success: Neil Herron, left, and Dr Philip Tann (above right) of FleetM8 who have made it possible to track vehicles anywhere in the world
