Get more from your fleet
April 1st 2007 Roger Massey from Barloworld Handling looks at how efficiency can be maximised with the help of fleet management The popularity of fleet management in the materials handling industry has been driven by a number of factors including a desire amongst businesses to save resources and concentrate on core business, bringing both added value and greater efficiency to operations. Fleet management is not an off-the-shelf 'one size fits all' package, it's a solution that can and should be tailored according to individual business needs. Any reputable fleet management company should carry out a comprehensive evaluation of your fleet and operational needs of your business before making a recommendation. The positive benefits of fleet management and the flexible approach of providers has encouraged more small to medium sized fleet operators to outsource management issues. Of course, the need for fleet management becomes greater within medium to large sized fleets. However there are many other factors which influence the level of management required. For example: is the fleet located over more than one site? Does the fleet operate multi-shifts? Does the fleet consist of different makes and types of equipment? What is the current and expected future level of fleet utilisation? What are the costs relative to maintenance and damage? Medium to long term A fleet management package can consist of a relatively simple package which includes maintenance, account management and a basic reporting regime to one that includes logistics analysis, funding, continuous performance analysis, 24/7 service cover/ resident engineers, management of tyres, batteries and associated equipment and so on. Users should be careful to check exactly what they are getting as part of the agreement and only compare 'apples with apples'. The major benefits of fleet management are likely to be seen over the medium to long term so it is important to choose a company that is flexible and can fulfil all your needs both now and in the future. As mentioned, one of the strongest arguments for fleet management is the 'core business' focus that it can provide the user. Many companies have tasted the freedom of having the problems associated with running a lift truck fleet lifted from their shoulders by those who have the necessary expertise and resources to run a modern, efficient fleet for them. Expert experience and advice can help cost efficiency in other areas too. By consistently monitoring utilisation, maintenance and damage, it is possible to identify areas of improvement and recommend additional cost saving solutions, whilst the operator is also provided with reports to demonstrate control over costs and productivity. Much of the new electronics now installed in modern lift trucks not only provide improved diagnostics to aid fault finding / repair but also provide useful information for fleet management reports. Barloworld Handling has a great deal of experience in managing fleets over multiple sites and providing centralised contract management. The company's single UK infrastructure and multi-brand service capabilities gives it an edge in controlling and supporting large fleets, something it does for a number of high profile customers, including the MoD, which operates the largest fleet in Europe. Core to the provision of effective fleet management is information of each trucks utilisation and condition. Quick and efficient hour metre reading feeds intelligence back into the programme to aid decision making and asset allocation. What other services are available? In addition to a basic fleet management package a range of bespoke services is available to help users optimise their fleets. Barloworld Handling offers an annual programme of CFTS approved Thorough Examinations to safety check all equipment in the fleet. Thorough Examinations are a statutory requirement for all fleet operators in addition to any preventative maintenance or fleet management agreement the company might have. On-site tyre management, which consists of a number of predetermined site visits, can be scheduled to check on the condition of the fleet's tyres and where necessary, arrange replacements. Tyres are a critical element of lift truck performance and safety, so this service can result in lower operating costs and reduced number of accidents / damage for the fleet. Barloworld's Total battery management service is aimed at electric powered fleet users and consists of a number of predetermined site visits to check on the condition of batteries and arrange top ups as required. The service can also include an annual battery regeneration. Using the award winning MACBAT battery regeneration system Barloworld can maximise the shift life performance of motive batteries and dramatically extend their life span, resulting in reduced truck downtime and less frequent battery replacement. More articles from Barloworld Handling: | 
