In the UK, mobile bartender Lewis Spindlove is well-known at weddings and festivals thanks to his specially designed Ford Transit van. With a £15,000 specially-made pop-up bar, Lewis provides a wide selection of drinks and cocktails at events hosted in non-traditional locations. When his vehicle, which was loaded with priceless equipment, was taken from his house outside of Bristol, his business suffered a serious blow.
Lewis was scheduled to bartend at a wedding that day, so the theft was a major problem. The couple had especially reserved him and his custom gold pop-up bar, so his first concern was for them. In addition to losing the van that had thousands of pounds' worth of product, Lewis was afraid he would have to miss his commitment to cater their wedding.
Fortunately, quick thinking and technology saved the day. To make sure the wedding would run smoothly, Lewis managed to get a borrowed bar with a gold finish. He used Ford Pro Telematics, which makes use of integrated car tracking technology, after informing the police about the theft. The van's location, hundreds of miles away in Nottingham, was promptly picked up by the system. The vehicle and its belongings were found by the police, and two weeks after the theft, it was operational again following repairs.
Lewis expressed relief at the situation, stating, “The bride and groom had ordered a bespoke bar complete with gold mirrors and bar tops. It absolutely looked the business, but when I came to drive to the venue, the van was gone. I was so relieved that my Transit has a built-in tracker that played a key role in me getting my van back.”
This event highlights how car theft is becoming a bigger issue, especially for van-based enterprises. These companies contributed to the economies of the UK and the EU by about a trillion euros in 2023. Addressing auto theft is a primary concern for Ford Pro. To help safeguard the livelihoods of diligent business owners, the corporation provides a variety of security tools and notifications for questionable activities.
Hans Schep, General Manager of Ford Pro Europe, said, “We want Lewis, and all our van customers, to have complete confidence in their vehicles' security. But, if the worst happens, we’re happy to be here to support the hardworking people who drive our communities and economies.”
Lewis's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of vehicle security for small businesses and the critical role that technology can play in operations and in recovery. Lewis was able to safely return his vehicle and resume his business with the aid of Ford Pro's cutting-edge technology!
