Vodafone: over 12 years of successful collaboration with Holman

In this interview, Jens Blankenburg (Head of Facility Management) from Vodafone GmbH explains how trust, service quality and solution orientation shape fleet management.

Mr. Blankenburg, Vodafone and Holman have now been working together for over twelve years. What makes this partnership special to you?

Jens Blankenburg: Our collaboration with Holman is more than just a business relationship – it is a genuine, long-standing partnership. Over the years, we have seen that we can rely on Holman at all times. Of course, as in any partnership, there are ups and downs, but these are always resolved together in a pragmatic way. Whether strategic matters or short-term operational challenges are concerned, Holman approaches us in a fair, transparent, and solution-oriented manner. This mindset, along with the joint development and optimization of processes, has sustainably strengthened the trust between our teams and shaped our long-term cooperation.

Holman is considered a reliable and trustworthy partner. Which experiences have particularly shaped your view?

Jens Blankenburg: What impresses us most is the openness and fairness in our collaboration. For every issue, we find a solution together that is sustainable for both sides. A good example is the ZAG license acquired by Holman, which provides additional regulatory security for us as a publicly listed company. Thanks to this license, we are able to process financial transfer transactions from Vodafone suppliers through Holman – Holman settles the invoices and consolidates them into a monthly collective invoice to Vodafone.

This approach demonstrates not only a high level of professionalism, but also how closely Holman keeps our processes and interests in focus. Holman consistently thinks from Vodafone’s perspective and ensures that our interests remain at the center. This gives us the confidence of having a partner who understands our objectives and actively works to achieve them.

Holman manages numerous fleet-related services for Vodafone. How do you experience this relief in your day-to-day operations?

Jens Blankenburg: Holman enables us to focus on our core business and on managing our service providers. They handle key services for us, including claims management and claims processing. For us, this means less administrative effort, greater efficiency, and clearly structured processes. At the same time, our drivers benefit from a smooth and reliable service that makes their daily work easier.

You emphasize that Holman finds a solution for every issue. Can you share an example that illustrates this approach?

Jens Blankenburg: A good example can be found in the area of claims management. There are often individual challenges that require quick and well-considered decisions. Holman acts proactively, involves the right partners, and works closely with us to develop solutions that are both cost-efficient and driver-friendly. This forward-thinking approach and the close coordination with our internal service management teams make the collaboration particularly valuable.

What role does working with Holman play in optimizing your fleet costs?

Jens Blankenburg: Holman supports us in maintaining full transparency over the total cost of ownership of our fleet at all times. A key factor is Holman’s proprietary fleet management system, Holman Insights, which allows us to centrally analyze all relevant data in a transparent manner. Using KPI dashboards, we can quickly and efficiently respond to trends or deviations from defined parameters.

This data transparency, combined with close coordination at every step, ensures a high level of efficiency and enables us to leverage optimization potential in a targeted way. As a result, our fleet management becomes significantly more effective and allows us to plan budgets more sustainably in the long term.

How do you see the future of the partnership between Vodafone and Holman?

Jens Blankenburg: The past twelve years have shown that we have a reliable partner in Holman – one who understands our objectives and works with us to continuously develop and improve. Looking ahead, we aim to further expand our partnership, particularly in the areas of digitalization, data analytics, and sustainability. Our shared goal is to continue shaping our fleet management in a way that is efficient, transparent, and future-oriented.