Webfleet

{{Infobox company | name = Webfleet | logo = | type = Subsidiary | industry = Fleet management, Telematics | founded = 1999 | founder = Thomas Schmidt<br>Thomas Becher | hq_location = Amsterdam, Netherlands | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Jan-Maarten De Vries (President, Fleet Management Solutions) | parent = Bridgestone | num_employees = 1,000+ | website = {{URL|https://www.webfleet.com}} }} '''Webfleet''' is a fleet management and vehicle telematics company. Originally established as '''Datafactory''', the start-up developed one of the first web-based fleet management solutions under the name Webfleet. The company later became part of TomTom and, since 2019, operates under Bridgestone as a provider of data-driven mobility{{Buzzword inline|date=May 2026}} and fleet digitization services.<ref name="nyt-2005">{{cite news |date=25 August 2005 |title=TechBrief: Net doubles at Telekom Austria |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/25/technology/techbrief-net-doubles-at-telekom-austria.html |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="spiegel-2002">{{cite news |last=Gongolsky |first=Mario |date=16 September 2002 |title=Alles nach Plan: "Flottenbrett" im Internet |url=https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/tech/alles-nach-plan-flottenbrett-im-internet-a-213168.html |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349 |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="tc-clearly">{{cite web |last=Butcher |first=Mike |date=13 August 2024 |title=She grew up a gearhead - now her startup, Clearly, has raised $4.3M to cut CO2 from trucking |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/13/she-grew-up-a-gearhead-now-her-startup-has-raised-4m-to-cut-co2-from-trucking/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="encyclopedia-tomtom">{{cite encyclopedia |title=TomTom N.V. |encyclopedia=International Directory of Company Histories |publisher=St. James Press |via=Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/tomtom-n-v |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg-2019">{{cite news |last1=Vergauwen |first1=Wout |last2=Jie |first2=Ma |date=22 January 2019 |title=TomTom Sells Telematics Business to Bridgestone for $1 Billion |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-22/tomtom-sells-telematics-business-to-bridgestone-for-1-billion |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> == History == Webfleet was founded in 1999 as Datafactory in Leipzig, Germany.<ref name="tm-yvens">{{cite web |last=Yvens |first=Claude |date=11 June 2024 |title=Webfleet : 25 ans et un avenir boosté à l'IA |url=https://transportmedia.be/fr/2024/06/webfleet-25-ans-et-un-avenir-booste-a-lia/ |website=Transportmedia |language=fr |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="sachsen-jungmann">{{cite web |last=Jungmann |first=Jens |date=28 November 2022 |title=Thomas Schmidt ist Deutschlands Business Angel 2022 |url=https://www.smwa.sachsen.de/blog/2022/11/28/thomas-schmidt-ist-deutschlands-business-angel-2022/ |publisher=Sächsisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Verkehr |language=de |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> Its founders, Thomas Schmidt and Thomas Becher, developed one of the early web-based fleet management platforms, branded Webfleet.<ref name="fw-middleton-2024">{{cite web |last=Middleton |first=Natalie |date=14 June 2024 |title=Webfleet fleet management solution celebrates 25th anniversary |url=https://fleetworld.co.uk/webfleet-fleet-management-solution-celebrates-25th-anniversary/ |website=Fleet World |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="spiegel-2002" /><ref name="ctb-baxter-2024">{{cite news |last=Baxter |first=Cam |date=18 September 2024 |title=Webfleet: 25 Years of Fleet Innovation |url=https://www.commercialtyrebusiness.com/webfleet-25-years-of-fleet-innovation/ |work=Commercial Tyre Business |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> In 2005, TomTom acquired Datafactory.<ref name="ruta">{{cite web |title=Webfleet cumple 25 años con más de 60.000 clientes que dan servicio en 180 países |url=https://www.rutadeltransporte.com/servicios/webfleet-aniversario-clientes_0_1884411548.html |website=Ruta del Transporte |language=es |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="vr-2005">{{cite news |date=24 August 2005 |title=TomTom kauft Telematik-Anbieter Datafactory |url=https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/transport-logistik/tomtom-kauft-telematik-anbieter-datafactory-3035930 |work=VerkehrsRundschau |language=de |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="encyclopedia-tomtom" /> Under TomTom's ownership, the business expanded across Europe and other international markets.<ref name="nyt-2005" /><ref name="vm-bunnagel">{{cite web |last=Bünnagel |first=Claus |date=12 June 2024 |title=Webfleet turns 25 |url=https://vision-mobility.de/en/news/webfleet-turns-25-321709.html |website=vision-mobility.de |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="autoflotte-2003">{{cite news |date=17 July 2003 |title=Datafactory nimmt Schweiz ins Visier |url=https://www.autoflotte.de/nachrichten/fuhrpark/datafactory-nimmt-schweiz-ins-visier-3100110 |work=Autoflotte |language=de |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> By 2018, the telematics division reported revenues of €174 million and a net result of €48 million.<ref name="tomtom-2018">{{cite report |title=TomTom Annual Report and Accounts 2018 |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/t/tomtom_2018.pdf |website=annualreports.com |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> In 2007, the company introduced connected navigation services, integrating live data connectivity into fleet operations. From 2015 onward, it expanded its services to include vehicle data analytics focused on fuel management, eco-driving, and operational efficiency.<ref name="fbi-market">{{cite web |title=Vehicle Telematics Market Size, Value Industry Growth (2034) |url=https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/vehicle-telematics-market-102071 |website=fortunebusinessinsights.com |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="fem-eld">{{cite web |date=24 April 2017 |title=TomTom Telematics launches Webfleet ELD Manager |url=https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/tomtom-telematics-webfleet-eld-manager/ |website=fleetequipmentmag.com |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="fn-2015-optidrive">{{cite news |date=18 March 2015 |title=TomTom Telematics launches new version of WebFleet OptiDrive |url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2015/3/18/tomtom-telematics-launches-new-version-of-webfleet-optidrive/55179/ |work=Fleet News |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="cordis-ecodriver">{{cite web |title=Supporting the driver in conserving energy and reducing emissions |url=https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/288611 |publisher=European Commission, CORDIS |id=FP7 grant 288611 |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="leeds-carsten-2016">{{cite web |last=Carsten |first=Oliver |date=16 March 2016 |title=Using eco-driving support systems in real conditions bring energy saving of up to 6% |url=https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/transport/news/article/235/using-eco-driving-support-systems-in-real-conditions-bring-energy-saving-of-up-to-6 |publisher=University of Leeds, Institute for Transport Studies |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> In 2019, Bridgestone EMEA acquired TomTom Telematics for approximately €910 million.<ref name="ddp-25">{{cite web |title=Webfleet cumple 25 años con la vista puesta en la Inteligencia Artificial para el futuro |url=https://www.diariodelpuerto.com/carretera/webfleet-cumple-25-anos-con-la-vista-puesta-en-la-inteligencia-artificial-para-el-futuro-GA19912765 |website=diariodelpuerto.com |language=es |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg-2019" /><ref name="nikkei-2019">{{cite news |last=Kawakami |first=Soma |date=23 January 2019 |title=Bridgestone polishes data analytics with $1bn Dutch acquisition |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-deals/Bridgestone-polishes-data-analytics-with-1bn-Dutch-acquisition |work=Nikkei Asia |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="nos-2019">{{cite news |date=22 January 2019 |title=TomTom haalt 900 miljoen euro op met verkoop divisie aan Bridgestone |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2268489-tomtom-haalt-900-miljoen-euro-op-met-verkoop-divisie-aan-bridgestone.html |publisher=NOS |language=nl |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ils24ore-paganoni-2019">{{cite news |last=Paganoni |first=Giulia |date=22 January 2019 |title=Bridgestone acquista TomTom telematics per 910 milioni di euro |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/bridgestone-acquista-tomtom-telematics-910-milioni-euro--AE3NOoJH |work=Il Sole 24 Ore |language=it |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> Following the acquisition, the business was renamed Webfleet Solutions, and later simplified to Webfleet.<ref name="fn-brown-rebrand">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Kenneth |title=Bridgestone rebrands TomTom Telematics as Webfleet Solutions |url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/latest-news/2019/09/11/bridgestone-rebrands-tomtom-telematics-as-webfleet-solutions |website=Fleet News |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="tc-clearly" /><ref name="wto-rename">{{cite web |date=1 October 2019 |title=TomTom Telematics Renamed Webfleet Solutions |url=https://www.worktruckonline.com/341472/tomtom-telematics-renamed-webfleet-solutions |website=Work Truck Online |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> In 2020, Bridgestone identified Webfleet as one of its core mobility products businesses,<ref name="agenzia-brand">{{cite web |date=6 October 2022 |title=Webfleet - Bridgestone Mobility Solutions - Press Office |url=https://www.agenziabrand.it/en/webfleet-bridgestone-mobility-solutions-press-office/ |website=Agenzia Brand |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="tirebiz">{{cite web |title=Bridgestone growth strategy to focus on restructuring, solutions business |url=https://www.tirebusiness.com/news/bridgestone-growth-strategy-focus-restructuring-solutions-business/ |website=Tire Business |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> and appointed Jan-Maarten De Vries as chief executive of Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.<ref name="itweb-malinga-2020">{{cite news |last=Malinga |first=Sibahle |date=8 December 2020 |title=New CEO, COO to lead Bridgestone Mobility Solutions |url=https://www.itweb.co.za/content/4r1ly7Rbp5w7pmda |work=ITWeb |location=Johannesburg |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> In 2023, Bridgestone partnered with the Dutch NGO Justdiggit, a partner of the United Nations Environment Programme, to support the re-greening of 15,378 hectares of land in Tanzania.<ref name="fn-roberts-offsets">{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Gareth |date=23 December 2019 |title=Webfleet Solutions offsets its carbon emissions |url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2019/12/23/webfleet-solutions-offsets-its-carbon-emissions |website=Fleet News |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="justdiggit-5yr">{{cite web |title=Bridgestone and Justdiggit 5 years of Partnership |url=https://justdiggit.org/news/bridgestone-5-year-partnership/ |website=Justdiggit |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> In 2020, Webfleet won the German Telematik Award for its electric vehicle (EV) telematics features.<ref name="gbfe-2020">{{cite web |date=1 October 2020 |title=Webfleet Solutions scoops major telematics award for EV technology |url=https://greatbritishfleetevent.co.uk/webfleet-solutions-scoops-major-telematics-award-for-ev-technology/ |website=Great British Fleet Event |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> In 2021, the company received the Frost & Sullivan award for European Commercial Fleet Telematics Company of the Year,<ref name="tyrepress-2021-fs">{{cite web |date=9 November 2021 |title=Unstoppable power - Webfleet gains Frost & Sullivan award |url=https://www.tyrepress.com/2021/11/unstoppable-power-webfleet-gains-frost-sullivan-award/ |website=Tyrepress |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> a designation that was renewed in 2025.<ref name="tyrepress-2025-fs">{{cite news |date=February 2025 |title=Webfleet gains another Frost & Sullivan honour |url=https://www.tyrepress.com/2025/02/webfleet-gains-another-frost-sullivan-honour/ |work=Tyrepress |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> In July 2024, Webfleet set a Guinness World Record by sponsoring a Ford Mustang Mach-E that traveled 916.74 km on one charge. Supported by Bridgestone and the AA, the production EV beat the previous Chinese record by six miles, continuing for 21 miles after the battery reached 0%.<ref name="tim-mache">{{cite news |last=Lewis-Stempel |first=Freda |title=New world record set for longest journey by an EV on a single charge |url=https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/electriccars/article-13714983/Guinness-World-Record-longest-journey-EV-single-charge-broken-Ford-Mustang-Mach-E-heres-far-went.html |work=This is Money |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="calcalist-mache">{{cite web |last=Hadar |first=Tomer |date=7 August 2024 |title=שיא עולמי לרכב חשמלי: מעל 900 קילומטרים בין טעינות |url=https://www.calcalist.co.il/local_news/car/article/rjgmqsx50 |website=Calcalist |language=he |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="express-mache">{{cite web |last=Mortimer |first=Jack |date=8 August 2024 |title=Popular electric family car breaks Guinness World Record for the longest range |url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1933518/electric-vehicle-ford-mustang-range-record |website=Express.co.uk |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="ca-25">{{cite web |title=Webfleet celebra su 25º aniversario con innovaciones para flotas más inteligentes y sostenibles |url=https://www.camionactualidad.es/noticias-industria-auxiliar/componentes-recambios-camiones-furgonetas/item/10671-webfleet-celebra-su-25-aniversario-con-innovaciones-para-flotas-mas-inteligentes-y-sostenibles |website=camionactualidad.es |language=es |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> == Activities == Webfleet operates in Australia, the Americas, Europe and South Africa.<ref name="gulfnews-2024">{{cite news |date=16 February 2024 |title=Bridgestone launches Webfleet, its fleet management solution in UAE |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/corporate-news/bridgestone-launches-webfleet-its-fleet-management-solution-in-uae-1.1708073421392 |work=Gulf News |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="itweb-africa-2023">{{cite news |date=26 April 2023 |title=Bridgestone's Webfleet debuts in Botswana in expansion drive |url=https://itweb.africa/article/bridgestones-webfleet-debuts-in-botswana-in-expansion-drive/PmxVE7KErwZqQY85 |work=ITWeb Africa |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="fhv-tca-2024">{{cite news |date=15 February 2024 |title=Webfleet receives TCA certification |url=https://fleethvnews.com.au/webfleet-receives-tca-certification/ |work=Fleet HV News |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> It provides subscription-based fleet management and telematics services, including vehicle tracking, connected navigation, data analytics, fuel management, and tyre-related services.<ref name="gettransport-en-miller">{{cite web |last=Miller |first=James |date=15 January 2026 |title=Webfleet European Awards Showcase Leadership in Fleet Innovation and Sustainability |url=https://blog.gettransport.com/news/excellence-across-europe-awards/ |website=Transportation News and Trends |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> As of 2025, the company serves around 50,000 customers, with vehicles monitored in over 150 countries. Its platform tracks daily distances of over 130 million kilometers and more than 3.2 million hours of driving. Webfleet also monitors fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for its clients.<ref name="fan-falls">{{cite web |last=Falls |first=Caroline |date=30 September 2024 |title=Webfleet growth and focus on the future |url=https://fleetautonews.com.au/webfleet-growth-and-focus-on-the-future/ |website=Fleet Auto News |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref> Industry analysts at Berg Insight have ranked Webfleet as the second-largest provider of fleet management solutions in Europe, with an installed base of about 735,000 units at the end of 2023.<ref name="berg-2025">{{cite report |publisher=Berg Insight |title=Fleet Management in Europe |edition=20th |date=November 2025 |url=https://www.giiresearch.com/report/ber1880929-fleet-management-europe-20th-edition.html |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="iotbn-2024">{{cite news |date=2 December 2024 |title=The installed base of fleet management systems in Europe will reach 27.6 million by 2028 |url=https://iotbusinessnews.com/2024/12/02/31010-the-installed-base-of-fleet-management-systems-in-europe-will-reach-27-6-million-by-2028/ |work=IoT Business News |access-date=7 May 2026}}</ref> == References == {{reflist}}

Category:Companies based in Amsterdam Category:Companies established in 1999