A new "Supplier Group" has been formed for daily rental companies that supply fleet customers through epyx's 1link Hire Network e-commerce platform.
The group is set to gather for regular meetings at epyx's head offices, with the first already having taken place, to share their thoughts and ideas on best use of 1link Hire Network.
Major fleets that use the platform are also welcome at the meetings, creating a forum that is thought to be unique in the hire sector for customers and suppliers to open new dialogues.
Ken Trinder, head of business development at epyx, said: "There is a strong community ethos designed into all our 1link platforms and Hire Network is no exception.
"The Supplier Group provides a platform where the key parties within the daily rental supply chain can meet and discuss positively how to balance the needs of both the demand side fleets and the supply side rental companies."
Trinder said that the tone of the initial meeting had been very positive, with several worthwhile ideas for enhancements to the platform being discussed.
He added: "A face-to-face meeting remains the best way to generate and examine new ideas, and we believe that the Supplier Group will lead to suppliers and fleets both getting more out of the platform."
For purchasers of daily rental services such as major fleets, 1link Hire Network enables online easy comparison of multi-supplier quotations and subsequent booking. For daily rental suppliers, it provides access to new customers as well as electronically validating bookings and other major process improvements. As with other 1link platforms, a major benefit for all parties is the massive reduction in telephone traffic to manage bookings.