KelleyAmerit Fleet Services Wins Industry's Largest Vehicle Maintenance Contract
LAFAYETTE, Calif.--KelleyAmerit Fleet Services, Inc. – a strategic partnership of Kelley Fleet Services and Amerit Consulting – announced today that it has been awarded the telecommunication industry’s largest-ever contract for vehicle repair and maintenance services by AT&T.*
“We believe that a sole-source, singularly focused fleet maintenance and repair solution makes great sense for large operators. We’re very excited by this news and we’re eager to get to work on behalf of our newest customer.”
“This contract underscores the appeal of our strategic partnership with KelleyAmerit and the Kelley Fleet Services approach,�?? said Don Kelley, founder of Kelley Fleet Services and president of KelleyAmerit. “We believe that a sole-source, singularly focused fleet maintenance and repair solution makes great sense for large operators. We’re very excited by this news and we’re eager to get to work on behalf of our newest customer.�??
With today’s announcement, KelleyAmerit, combined with Kelley Fleet Services, provides fleet maintenance and repair services to three of the five largest utility/ telecommunications providers in the country.
“We were seeking an innovative and comprehensive approach to our fleet repair and maintenance needs. KelleyAmerit Fleet Services met that challenge.�?? said Jerome Webber, AT&T’s vice president for fleet operations.
Kelley said the partnership’s approach to the RFP process mirrored its overall approach to business. “We set out to be a game changer in a traditional industry. Today’s announcement is an important milestone in that effort and today we appreciate AT&T’s confidence in awarding us this contract.�??
Under the terms of the contract, the majority of AT&T’s 76,000 vehicles, the largest private fleet in the country, will be maintained and repaired at a network of approximately 250 dedicated service facilities throughout the United States. KelleyAmerit expects to hire as many as 800 managers, mechanics, repair technicians, and other personnel in connection with the contract.
The KelleyAmerit joint venture brings together the experience and skills of two leading service providers with deep experience in fleet service and the telecommunications industry. The partnership blends the best of a high-quality value provider of fleet maintenance with an organization steeped in business process outsourcing expertise and deep, industry-specific knowledge of the telecom industry.
AT&T said that another factor that worked in the joint venture’s favor was a shared commitment between the two companies in the area of supplier diversity.
“Supplier Diversity has always been a cornerstone of our inclusive culture at AT&T,�?? said Marianne Strobel, executive director of AT&T Global Supplier Diversity. “It’s important for us as a source of innovation and as a vital element in staying connected to our diverse customers. We look for those values in our suppliers as well and are particularly pleased that KelleyAmerit’s leadership team has a special focus on helping Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). Last year AT&T spent $82 million dollars with DVBEs and this relationship is helping us continue to increase our spending with DVBE firms.�?? In May this year AT&T launched Operation Hand Salute, a DVBE mentoring program designed to assist certified DVBE firms in improving their businesses and winning more corporate contracts. For more information about Operation Hand Salute visit http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=17206.
Amerit Consulting founder and Chief Executive Officer Gary Herbold, who also serves as CEO of the KelleyAmerit Fleet Services, was a decorated medical corpsman in the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps. He is actively involved in outreach to veteran entrepreneurs through the California Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise Alliance.
“Many in my generation faced terrible challenges coming back from Vietnam in terms of reconnecting to life at home,�?? said Herbold. “Those same pressures – and more – face a new generation that has been fighting on our behalf in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. We owe them a debt that can be partially repaid by helping them return to their everyday lives, but – just as important – their skills and experiences are valuable additions to any company or organization.�??
About KelleyAmerit
KelleyAmerit is a leading provider of fleet maintenance for large-scale private and public sector fleets, offering customizable, single-source vendor solutions to corporations managing large fleets nationwide. KelleyAmerit is a strategic partnership of two companies – Kelley Fleet Services and Amerit Consulting – that share a rich tradition of service excellence and customer focus.
Enriched by their proud past and energized by their bright future, KelleyAmerit positions their clients to be forerunners on the road ahead. Gary Herbold serves as chief executive officer of KelleyAmerit and Don Kelley, president and CEO of Kelley Fleet Services, serves as president of KelleyAmerit.
For more information on KelleyAmerit, visit www.kelleyamerit.com.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.
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