A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
We recently spoke to its customers within the construction industry in order to discover the types of challenges businesses face today. Information given reveals that safety of drivers and reducing fuel costs are still a priority. Unauthorised usage of vehicles was also a big talking point, as were topics such as delivery to site and insurance costs.
1. Safety
The number one concern expressed in our survey was fleet safety, and it's no surprise considering that Health & Safety, Duty of Care and the Corporate Manslaughter Act are now leading to more prosecutions for UK businesses.
Recently, a UK building firm became the eleventh company to be convicted for corporate manslaughter. The company in question was fined ??200,000 for the offence which fell directly under the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act of 2007.
Such cases highlight the importance of fleet safety and many of our customers have been able control this by implementing simple policies to improve road safety, one of the most effective is a simple over-speed alerting system - knowing your manager is seeing alerts every time you speed can quickly change mind-sets.
2. Co2/Fuel
Fuel prices and CO2 impact were highlighted as the second largest concern. Although fuel prices may have dropped in recent months, given the volatility of international markets, there is a fear that we will start to see prices reach the heights of 2014 in the not too distant future.
Many also believe carbon reporting will become mandatory for companies in the sector, and fleets will need to be aware of their emissions and give insight into their reduction targets. With pressure building on Government to deliver on its 2050 carbon reduction targets, it is easy to see this soon becoming a reality.
Numerous representatives of companies we spoke with said that monitoring CO2 output and fuel usage is more important than ever, with more companies opting for eco-friendly equipment, measuring their carbon footprint and realising the cost savings associated with being green.
3. Unauthorised Usage
Number three on the list is managing unauthorised vehicle use. With operational costs so high it is easy to understand why the industry believes that taking steps to remove any unnecessary waste is a top priority. Customers also highlighted concerns relating to tax compliance and the potential consequences of un-authorised usage, which can effect both the company and its staff.
By utilising our vehicle tracking and telematics systems our customers are able to instantly identify any out of hours usage helping them keep it down to a minimum.
4. Delivery to Site
Whether material delivery is managed through a third party or in house, the consequences of a late delivery are the same. Slowing down on-site progress, project delays and customer frustration are all results of delayed distribution. Our respondents highlighted that delays caused by not having the right materials on site are a constant concern and identified that the use of telematics within their own logistics wing, or by the third parties they use, has reduced the number of late deliveries. We were told that because material prices are rising there is more pressure to not lose anymore more revenue by delays in materials getting to the required destination.
5. Insurance Costs
Our customers highlighted that they are seeing insurance costs increase, and as fleet dependant businesses, controlling the cost of fleet insurance policies is key. It appears there really are no quick wins when it comes to managing fleet insurance but our customers believe that the use of telematics is a great way of monitoring driver behaviour. Many have seen safety records, claims histories and premiums improve as a result.
Contact us today and see if our technology can help solve some of your businesses biggest challenges.