When creating a strategy to optimize your fleet and transport, you need to appreciate that there isn't a one-size-fits-all. You need to feel confident that your fleet options are the best for your business and allow you to optimize your process efficiently.
Fleet Management Systems
How much time do you spend making sure everyone is where they need to be and are there on time? A fleet management system can automatically optimize the best routes and timings for your fleet and utilize them where needed to cut down on labor costs and transport times.
Vehicle Maintenance
Having an efficient maintenance system in place can reduce the cost of breakdowns or emergency repairs. While keeping maintenance staff on the books might seem an expense, allowing them to take charge of repairs and inspections can identify any issues and get them fixed before your fleet hits the road. This cuts down emergency breakdowns or damage from poorly maintained vehicles.
Optimal Vehicles
No longer do you need to put up with older vehicles for your company. It is a better investment to allow your fleet to be upgraded regularly over letting them be driven until they are no longer roadworthy. Newer models can use less fuel, incur fewer breakdowns, and need less maintenance than their older counterparts.
Leasing vehicles from Transport Resources can afford you the best transportation regularly instead of purchasing a fleet that you then need to replace every few years as required.
Driver Analysis
Driver monitoring can afford you more insight into what happens when your drivers are on the road. You can see how, such fuel they used, typical routes are taken and other factors such as driving styles, speeds and congestion on the road. With this information, you can look at ways to optimize their working hours, reduce fuel consumption and find a better way for your good to get from A to B.
Load Management
How much are you transporting, and are you overloading to reduce shipping times? Overloading your fleet, underloading, or even uneven loading can increase inefficiencies and lead to more damages, longer lead times, and increased fuel consumption. If you are regularly overloading your vehicles, you may need to assess your routes or increase your fleet to allow for a bigger capacity for shipping.
Driver Training
An experienced driver may be fully aware of their requirements. However, they may also be subject to falling into bad habits. Regular training and skills updates can reinforce company standards to your drivers and allow them to tweak their skills, learn new methods, or get to grips with newer technology.
Remove Sub-Fleets
Sub fleets are where part of your fleet is reserved for use by one department or specific staff members. You may need to look at car shares or reroute specific delivery options, but failing to utilize all of your fleets can be increasing inefficiencies and costs. Avoid this by having all of your available fleet for use by everyone as and when required.