The new partnership will be based in the capital, Bucharest, where Globexpert already has offices with nine full time staff. The company currently manages more than 400 vehicles for around 30 national and international clients, generally with small and medium-sized fleets in a variety business sectors, such as IT, distribution, insurance, banking and consultancy. 

The company, which has been operating for six years, typically provides fleet management solutions to clients who prefer to self-finance or outright purchase, rather than lease, their vehicles. 

Separate pilot projects have already been established for two existing international fleet clients with operating divisions in the country. 

Simon Spremberg, business development director at Fleet Logistics, said the strategic partnership with Globexpert made sound financial and business sense. 

‘The Romanian car market is small – in 2012 there were 87,505 new registered vehicles, down 20.9% compared to 2011. And with volumes at lower levels than we would normally find, we could not justify opening new offices in the country. 

‘This new partnership will allow us to offer our full range of fleet management solutions to existing and new fleet clients via a local expert with considerable experience and expertise in the local fleet environment,’ he said. 

Marius Chetreanu, general manager of Globexpert, added: ‘We are delighted to be partnering with an eminent European fleet management provider such as Fleet Logistics and to help provide the full range of fleet management services for its existing customers in the region. 

‘Globexpert is one of the first domestically financed fleet management companies in Romania and we have chosen an organic growth route for the company, which is completely self-financed. 

‘We have also invested heavily in our products, so that they meet clients’ requirements, and less on promotion and believe we offer a service offering very close to that offered by Fleet Logistics,’ he said. 

Although the Romanian fleet market was still small, Mr Chetreanu said that he believed there was considerable room for development, especially within the operational leasing sector. 

‘Last year, the operational leasing market in Romania increased by 11%, reaching just over 41,500 units, and the expectations for this year are for a further increase of around 10%.

‘But, with only 8,500 vehicles registered through operating leases, this represents just 13% of the total registrations of all vehicles. Typically, this type of funding would apply to 40-60% of the fleet market in other Western European countries, so we believe there is ample room for growth.’ 

He added: ‘We are convinced that the Fleet Logistics fleet management offering in Romania will meet a latent demand, which currently exists in the market but which is not being satisfied at this time. 

‘I am optimistic about the positive evolution of the Romanian fleet market and am convinced that Fleet Logistics’ presence will further help its development,’ Mr Chetreanu concluded.