Managed services provider de Poel has called for driver agencies that have objections to the way it operates to make themselves known so a dialogue can begin to resolve the issues.

Some agencies have called for de Poel to be boycotted, arguing they are suffering lower rates.

Michael Campbell, director at the Cheshire-based firm, urged those with a grievance to come forward. He told Recruiter: "We would rather they tell us their concerns and talk about them with us. We won't stop using them because ultimately that could harm our service, and we want what is best for our clients.

"We would happily have a forum with them, at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) if they wanted."

One of the main concerns is about the lower margins resulting from de Poel-managed contracts, but Sanders says it just standardises rates. "In some cases rates will be reduced and in some cases they stay the same, but through us agencies have more work available to them," says de Poel managing director Matthew Sanders.

He adds that he believes many complaints are based on emotion.

"They object to being paid by de Poel rather than Sainsbury's, even when they are being paid exactly the same amount, and we pay typically five days faster than clients do, on average."

He adds: "If it was a real problem they would walk away. We trade with 700 agencies every week and it's only a few who have concerns."

Campbell added: "There is a lot of misunderstanding and gossip. People don't like change. There is a resistance to suddenly being told the rates are being changed, but it's also a bit of sour grapes that they didn't think of the idea (to do what de Poel does) first."

Some agencies point to the lack of regulation of de Poel. Since it doesn't supply workers directly, it does not fall under the remit of certain legislation, such as the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment business Regulations of 2003.

Sanders continues: "We want to be recognised by the REC. It's something we are working towards."

REC acting chief executive, Marcia Roberts told Recruiter: "The REC is calling for neutral vendor companies to be regulated. We have had recent examples of some becoming bankrupt and leaving agencies unpaid. This has severely affected the cash flow of such agencies, the majority of which are small companies. It has resulted in some of them becoming insolvent and workers going unpaid."

De Poel also defended its controversial Agency Driver Database. Each agency office has to pay £500 to access it. Sanders says: "This is aimed at reducing costs. It provides details of the training received by drivers, so they don't waste time being trained twice for the same thing. It also details accident information. It doesn't make us money - it's about safety and adding value."

DE POEL HAS EXPANSION PLANS De Poel, which celebrated its fifth birthday this month, says it is looking at launching a Northern Ireland operation. It is also looking to launch Permport, a permanent driving staffing operation modelled on its existing service for temps, and to expand into new sectors.