DLL received the 2021 Vendor Finance Provider Award and Digital Innovation Award from Leasing Life, one of the top leasing industry journals in Europe, during the 17th Leasing Life Conference & Awards event in Barcelona, Spain.

The Leasing Life Awards recognize the most successful asset finance and leasing initiatives over the course of the year. The awards are a highlight in the industry calendar and reflect the latest trends in financing and the noteworthy initiatives that have established a strong foothold in Europe. There are multiple award categories. After an intense selection procedure by a highly qualified jury of experts with longstanding experience in the European asset finance industry, DLL was appointed Vendor Finance Provider Award winner and Digital Innovation Award winner. DLL has made significant investments in digitalization the last few years and has taken a leading role in the equipment finance industry. These efforts have not gone unnoticed and this is the second consecutive year that DLL has won the Digital Innovation Award from Leasing Life.

Vendor Finance Provider Award
This award recognizes an asset finance lessor that has worked in conjunction with a manufacturer to provide tailored asset finance at the point of sale. The essence of success is building strong and successful partnerships that add clear value to both sides: This is not just about the provision of funding but also about creating a strong service and partnership business culture that withstands the ebbs and flows of the external environment. It is the third time in four years that DLL has won this award.

The awards jury cited DLL as "a clear global leader, with a uniquely dedicated focus on the sector, showing not just current capability but a clear eye to future sector needs, and continuously enhancing its value proposition with services such as asset management, stock financing and many other."

Mission of "Partnering for a Better World"
For more than 50 years, DLL has built its business on the core principle of partnership. Combined with global reach, industry specialization, asset knowledge, digital solutions and people, this delivers an amazing customer experience. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, DLL has continued to stand by its partnership promise. Despite most of DLL's employees being forced to work from home, it was able to successfully pivot and run its business on a remote basis, delivering both value and critical support to its vendor partners and their customers. DLL's unwavering commitment and efforts during these challenging times have further strengthened the connections that it has with its vendor partners.

"We are very proud that our efforts and expertise continue to be recognized by both our industry peers and the top leasing publication in Europe," said Mike Janse, COO, DLL. "We truly believe that being close to our partners and customers is what differentiates DLL. Our mission of 'Partnering for a Better World' took on a new and significant meaning during the past two years, and we are proud of the amazing adaptability and resilience displayed by our workforce, as well as their efforts to help support our vendor partners and customers. Our vendor finance model continues its successful journey and has proven to be sustainable thanks to long-term and mutually beneficial commitments with our partners."

Digital Innovation Award
The Digital Innovation Award is meant to recognize a policy, product or leasing-related site or application that pushes the envelope on how commercial lessors relate to their customers. Not designed simply for the "e-signatures" or a back-room platform change, this award had to impress the judges with its technological expertise and its novelty.

This is what the jury stated: "DLL showed to the judges their efforts are now far more than 'under development' or 'planned for the future,' but were already ahead of the market with their first online scoring some 25 years ago, as well as being a pioneer at developing an e-commerce platform."

DLL Anticipating Changing Customer Needs
"Dynamic markets are driving change in customers' needs, which is the focal point of our efforts," said Rafe Rosato, chief innovation officer, DLL. "Thorough customer assessment taught us that, to remain an industry leader in a fast-paced and ever-changing digital world, we needed to do things differently. Even if it means changing the way we have done business for over 50 years. DLL is disrupting and transforming its business, and helping to enable the success of our partners and their customers."

DLL’s redefined go-to-market strategy moves away from hyperlocalized digital solutions to personalization at scale, benefiting the customer experience and the speed and quality of doing business. It is DLL's ambition to make financing a driver for its partners' businesses by simplifying the process and enhancing the experience for both their salespeople as well as their customers.