Based in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, Coast to Coast Travel is an expanding commercial travel business committed to supplying comfortable and economical coach transport. Established in 2012 having incorporated Ardrossan Mini Coaches, its drivers travel ‘coast to coast’, providing solutions to groups travelling all over Scotland and further afield.
Coast to Coast Travel operates corporate excursions for the likes of BAE Systems, where they help shuttle personnel to nearby HM Naval Base Clyde, while also transporting school and tour groups throughout the UK and across mainland Europe. Its fleet of 30 coaches regularly travel to France, Belgium and Germany with school parties, as well as visiting Austria and Italy with ski groups during the winter months. The company’s total fleet comprises 45 vehicles, including coaches, minibuses and cars for smaller contract work.
With Coast to Coast Travel’s fleet seen on UK and Continental roads thousands of times a day, it’s essential they appear clean to project a professional image to members of the public. In early 2022, the company’s management team, led by Director and Co-owner Barry Angus and fellow Co-owner Terry Erskine, made the decision to re-evaluate vehicle maintenance processes. They identified that the firm’s two-man valeting team sometimes struggled to provide vehicles with a high-quality shine, notably because the products being used required significant manual intervention to deliver the desired result.
Angus initially engaged in a consultation with Autoglym Connect through LinkedIn. After a positive introduction to the Letchworth-based company’s range of premium vehicle care products, Coast to Coast Travel switched to using Autoglym Connect in September 2022. Since then, the company has reported a significant improvement in the appearance of its fleet. Each vehicle benefits from a superior shine that creates an unforgettable first impression out on the road, while the interiors remain clean and fresh for longer. While the valeters continue to clean the vehicle interiors after each job, the exteriors twice a week, and the windows weekly, the fleet now benefits from a clean that is also more weather-resistant. What’s more, each clean is made easier due to the added protection and gloss delivered by Autoglym’s products.
The Coast to Coast Travel team use a combination of Autoglym products on a rotation to maximise results. The company regularly uses Autoglym Advanced TFR for vehicle exteriors – a high foaming detergent that’s enriched with a rinse aid to facilitate an efficient and thorough cleaning process, effectively removing traffic film, grease and grime. Autoglym Coat-It is also used to protect exterior surfaces, enhance gloss and make future cleaning easier. Finally, for interiors and windows, Coast to Coast Travel turns to Autoglym Express Wash. A range of Autoglym accessories are used to support the time-efficient application of products.
Another benefit of the Autoglym Connect products is their value for money. Coast to Coast Travel has seen a reduction in overall operational cleaning costs, with Angus praising the diluted product formulation that delivers impressive results even when small volumes are dispensed. Coast to Coast Travel has seen over a 70% reduction in chemical use compared to the products it previously used. The high concentration of the chemicals and the Autoglym-supplied dilution meter ensures only the required volume of chemical is used, and not a drop more. As well as controlling costs, this process also reduces manual handling for Coast to Coast Travel employees, minimising risk in the work place.
Across the fleet, Coast to Coast Travel’s vehicles are now left with a better-quality gloss finish. Employees also report a preference for the Autoglym products, with no risk of skin irritation even after repeated daily use. Employees also celebrate the products as better for the environment in comparison to the more caustic products used in the past.
Angus said of choosing Autoglym Connect: “I immediately felt they understood the demands of our business. My initial consultation and all communication thereafter has filled me with confidence. I believe the products we use are the best defence against the challenges we face and consistently deliver a superior shine and added protection. I’m 100% positive that we will continue to use Autoglym Connect products going forward.”
Ayshea Brooks, Key Account Manager at Autoglym Connect, added: “We take the time to understand the needs of our customers. It was clear that the team at Coast to Coast Travel required cleaning products that would leave a lasting gloss, deliver superior protection, and provide exceptional value for money. After listening to their requirements and providing the most suitable products, it’s great to see such positive results.”
For more information about Autoglym Connect’s range of products, please visit www.autoglymconnect.com, or contact Ayshea Brooks on LinkedIn