A Co Antrim vehicle tracking, fleet monitoring and management solutions company has announced plans to double its current workforce as it becomes part of a leading multi-base European business.

Fleet Efficient, based in Antrim, has announced that it has recently merged with GlobalLive - a major European Telematics and solutions Company which has branches across the UK, Spain, Holland and is making in-roads into the USA market.

The new GlobalLive Ireland currently has eight staff and their client list includes companies such as Coca-Cola Northern Ireland, Resource, Thornton Roofing, Farrans Construction and Mulgrew Haulage.

The former owner of Fleet Efficient, Philip Bailie, became Managing Director of GlobalLive Ireland at the beginning of April.

"GlobalLive Ltd was one of our main suppliers of vehicle tracking technology and there was a great synergy already established between the two companies.

"The merger presents obvious opportunities not only for our staff but also for our customers, who can now benefit from even better customer service and - because of greater group buying power and established partnerships with leading technology providers such as Vodafone, T-Mobile and NavTec - can deliver even better value for money," he said.

Director of GlobalLive David Clayton added: "Despite the economic downturn, demand for our products continues to grow at a healthy level because we focus our solutions around excellent return on investment and the opportunity to identify and introduce real operational efficiencies and savings for fleet-based businesses."

Philip Bailie said that the move will enable more input into product development, ongoing customer support and, as part of an international company, better value for money as it now has access to greater buying power.

There are already plans for further expansion with sights set on the Ireland Market and establishing a Dublin Branch.

GlobalLive Ltd sees the deal with Fleet Efficient as an important first step into the all-Ireland Market.

He said GlobalLive Ltd offers 'Realtime Vehicle Tracking & Fleet Monitoring Systems' and that the company is continually developing its portfolio of flexible and sophisticated technology-driven telematics solutions.

These are designed around vehicle tracking and fleet monitoring. GlobalLive Ltd provides whole fleet management tools which operate in real time and are both scalable and future-proof.

The company's NOW! Fleet Monitor offers a multi-vehicle tracking and live fleet monitoring solution.

This is increasingly being recognised as Europe's leading mobile asset tracking system.

Since incorporation in July 2005, GlobalLive Ltd has developed and implemented a growing portfolio of vehicle tracking, fleet monitoring and management solutions. The first leading edge NOW! product was launched in February 2006.

The company has made a significant impact upon a global marketplace, achieving excellent levels of profitability from year one.

GlobalLive can now offer track and trace products which integrate fully with multi-level back office systems.

Combined with job delivery to PDA and signature capture, they provide previously unachievable levels of savings and efficiencies.

(BMcC/JM)