NetJets Europe has stepped up its "vendor relations" programme aimed at identifying and recruiting preferred suppliers to support its continued expansion. Charter operators, FBOs, maintenance repair, caterers and transport companies (eg chauffeur-driven limousines) are being sought to support its 240-strong fleet across Europe, the US and the Middle East. The programme is being trumpeted by NetJets as a new initiative, although the department was in fact first set up in 1997. EBAN asked director of vendor relations Paul Schweitzer exactly what had changed: \r"We have increased the demands on the vendors due to our growth and requests from the NetJets owners. We implemented broader standards encompassing other vendors as the need developed. The department started with US Charter operators and now encompasses catering, ground transportation, FBO's both in the US & Europe.\r"Safety is also a major concern, and all the more reason why we need to ensure the validity and reliability of the people with whom we do business."\rLast year, the company arranged 25,000 cars and limousines, spent US$10 million on pilot training, and required 325,000 maintenance hours. Candidates are being invited to visit NetJet's new website at www.NetJets.com/vendors. Meanwhile, London Biggin Hill FBO was visited by Schweitzer and Europe product quality manager Stefan Ludwig at the start of October to undertake a handler standards check for NetJets. Ludwig commented: "Biggin Hill provides the level of service and facility that NetJets demands and we are glad to recommend them to our customers travelling into London." Biggin Hill marketing manager Julie Black said she was "surprised by the length and extent of Stefan's audit, but of course delighted that we passed so easily."