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Specialist equine vehicle manufacturer Foxy Horseboxes needs a stable supply of van chassis to build on – step forward independent supplier Van Sales UK.
Director Hannah Gould explained: “We build vehicles to order, to our customers’ own design briefs – every one is different or personalised in some way.
“But we’re not a huge operation. We don’t have space to store a huge number of base vehicles, so to keep the business operating efficiently we rely on a supplier who can provide a regular flow.
“We’ve dealt with several, including manufacturers’ franchised main dealers – but Van Sales UK seems to be able to move the quickest whenever we need to arrange a delivery. This was the 17th vehicle they’ve supplied to us – they can invariably source what we want, when we want it, and the people are very honest, helpful and trustworthy. Dealing with Van Sales UK is always a very positive experience.”
She continued: “When we took our latest order from a customer, for a horsebox based on a 3.5-tonne van chassis, I contacted Sales Executive Jamie-George Marsh who was able to give us a highly competitive quote, and the order was processed quickly and smoothly. Everything was done by email and mobile phone, with the minimum of hassle.
“The vehicle was delivered to our bodyshop, exactly as ordered, less than two weeks from my initial inquiry, so we were able to start work without delay and assure our customer that the build was on schedule,” she added.
The base vehicle is a Citroen Relay 35 with Bluehdi turbo-diesel engine, rated at 140ps, which drives through a six-speed manual gearbox and incorporates a stop-start system. Its Stallion bodywork is one of four models in the Foxy range, each of which can be extensively customised to the buyer’s individual needs.
In addition to the standard list of features including a luxury upholstered cab, heavy-duty rubber-coated loading ramp, two full-height stalls with padded partitions and CCTV cameras to the horse area and for reversing, customers can pick from a range of options such as extra windows, storage, extended groom area and even a sleeping compartment.
The range-topping Foxy Weekender model, meanwhile, boasts a comfortable living and sleeping area for two people with fridge, gas hob and sink.
Family-owned Foxy Horseboxes was founded by Neil Savage in 2004. Today the company is split into North and South Divisions in Tadcaster, Yorkshire and Kirdford, West Sussex, run respectively by Neil’s daughters Hannah and her son-in-law Craig.
Van Sales UK, a division of parent company Vanaways, is an internet-based business. With no shiny showroom or yard full of vans waiting to be sold, overheads are kept to a minimum. Its sales experts work over phone and email networks, taking inquiries and orders and matching customers up with their perfect vehicle selections without ever needing to have contact with either. The company has been trading since 2017 and now supplies an average of 250 vans per month to customers across Britain.
Director Chris Jakeways said: “We can source any vehicle a customer wants, but for many people these days the brand of their new van is not a primary concern – especially as, under the skin, in some cases two or even three models from different manufacturers can be nearly identical.
“What’s more important is to make the process of getting that new van on the road as painless as possible. That’s where we score, by cutting the number of steps a vehicle takes between rolling off the production line and arriving at the customer’s premises, and by slashing time-consuming paperwork.”
Horses for courses: Hannah Gould of Foxy Horseboxes says Van Sales UK is her vehicle supplier of choice
Family values: Hannah with husband Andrew Gould – an international dressage rider – and their daughter Ophelia
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