By Jean Sealey
Northeast Florida Builders Association
NEFBA has partnered with First Coast Energy and First Source Leasing to bring members two money-saving benefits related to transportation costs.
First Coast Energy offers a fuel-management solution to members which allows them to purchase Shell fuel at a discounted price. First Source Leasing offers members and their employees the opportunity to purchase or lease a vehicle at fleet pricing. Both programs are offered to all NEFBA members - regardless of size, number of vehicles or product consumption rate.
“Under a traditional program, only companies consuming more than $10,000 of gasoline per month are eligible for a 3 percent discount,” said Enza Lobusta, Fleet Services manager. “However, due to the great number of NEFBA members, Citicorp Credit Services, the owner and administrator of the Shell credit card portfolio, can offer the maximum discount of 3 percent to each member, relying on the association as a whole to meet the required volume.”
Lobusta said the program for NEFBA members earns the member company a flat 3 percent discount on fuel costs, regardless of the size of the company, the number of fleet vehicles or the amount of fuel the company purchases per month.
Unauthorized purchases such as convenience store items, higher-grade gasoline purchases and personal vehicle fueling can increase fleet fuel expenses by up to 15 percent. The Shell plan has built-in security features designed to reduce and control costs associated with fuel purchases. And if time is money, this program goes even further with its efficient, timesaving reporting.
Shell Fleet PLUS Reporting supplies expanded program management capabilities with reliable and detailed reporting documentation. Easy-to-read monthly reports present detailed transactions organized in categories including exceptions, expense summaries, service station activity, invoice, discounts, product purchasing summary and more. It provides all the documentation needed to manage the program, while making the reporting process easier for employees and reducing costs in handling these reports.
Lobusta said the program also offers online access.
“Online account management provides greater control by allowing you to monitor your fleet account activity on an ongoing basis,” she said. “You can update your account profile, add or delete drivers and vehicles, download statements and unbilled transactions, and e-mail questions to Shell Customer Services, all at www.shellfleetcard.accountonline.com”
The card is welcome at nearly 200 Shell locations operated by First Coast Energy and at thousands of Shell stations nationwide.
Another key element of the transportation benefit provides NEFBA members savings, selection and service on commercial and personal vehicles and equipment.
“Not only does the NEFBA member company have the advantage of fleet pricing for all commercial and personal vehicles and equipment, but the employees of NEFBA member companies can take advantage of fleet pricing and leasing on their individual vehicles,” said Bill Frandsen, account manager with First Source Leasing. “NEFBA members who take advantage of this benefit can rely on the stability of First Source Leasing by Autolease.”
First Source Leasing, serving Northeast Florida since 1952, is a member of the Scott-McRae Group, a trusted Jacksonville institution since 1916. For more information about the company, visit online at www.firstsourceleasing.com.
Frandsen also pointed out that new NEFBA members receive a one-time $500 gift coupon redeemable upon the lease or purchase of a new vehicle through First Source Leasing - a great incentive for joining the association.
“Our high-volume purchasing power and low operating cost mean you always get the best price,” Frandsen said. “And, you will receive the highest resale value for vehicles you already own.”