For many companies, when recession begins to bite one of the first areas to focus on for business savings is travel.
Company car fleets may be reduced, while drivers are told to keep their mileage to a minimum – but for van fleet operators, this option doesn’t exist.
A van fleet is the lifeblood of most businesses, the final part of the delivery chain for everything from goods to services.
Mileage is dictated by customers and by business demands, so how can a van fleet help a company to reduce costs without having affecting on the core business?
According to expert fleet operators, who will be speaking at the Fleet Van Conference on December 2, it is possible to make a fleet more efficient without damaging its effectiveness.
Lessons can be learned among fleets of all sizes.
At Tesco.com, the home shopping service drivers will make up to 70,000 deliveries a day.
The 2,000 vehicles, used by 6,000 drivers on mainly urban drops, cover an estimated 60 million miles a year.
This is a perfect illustration of how vehicle use is dictated by customer demand, but that doesn’t mean that changes can’t be made, according to Dino Papas, fleet and equipment operations manager at Tesco.com
His challenges have ranged from vehicle design and specification through to ensuring drivers are skilled enough to cope with their daily driving conditions.
An accident review board monitors incidents and ensures best practice is used at all times.
He said: “Managing drivers properly, driver training and the accident review board are all part of the toolkit we use to keep the fleet efficient.”
Tesco.com has invested in trials of alternative fuel vehicles that have provided feedback to help manufacturers develop the next generation of clean vehicles.
Tesco was one of the first fleet operators to introduce the Modec electric van for urban deliveries.
Mr Papas added: “We have also had investment in telematics that has impacted on fuel economy and how our drivers behave.”
Telematics is also having a significant impact at AREVA Transmission and Distribution.
Reduced mileage, improved fuel consumption and compliance with tax rules are three of the benefits Russell Whalley is enjoying from telematics technology.
Mr Whalley, UK transport manager for the power distributor, said: “Complying with the new HMRC rules for company vans was a key factor in the decision to roll out the telematics solution.
"It offers us other benefits, including improving our duty of care by managing our fleet more effectively, simplifying timesheet administration and reducing overtime costs with more accurate driver records.
“The system has also helped to further improve our overall driving standards resulting in reduced fuel costs, lower fleet maintenance costs and a reduction in vehicle downtime.”
Improving driving standards is a focus for TNT Express as part of a zero tolerance policy for loss of lives among employees, contractors and third-parties.
It seems bizarre that it even needs to be stated, but according to Kevin Cook, HSE manager for TNT Express, the company focuses relentlessly on this and it filters down to every aspect of the fleet operation.
Its road safety management system covers driver, road safety and vehicle management and these are supported with more specific standards and guidance.
Road safety charters have been launched at all levels while employees have access to a library of safety information.
TNT Express’s driver guidance is aimed at developing a positive road safety culture and promoting safe driving behaviour.
In the case of CitySprint, changes are also intended to be good for the environment.
According to Am Pall, fleet and specialist services director at the courier firm, fleet operators must investigate and test the latest vehicle technologies to help the market develop and find the right vehicles for their van fleet.
His 1,500-vehicle fleet has been at the forefront of testing new technologies that could cut emissions and potentially cut costs.
Among the vehicles available are hybrid stop-start technologies and electric vans.
Mr Pall admits the process of testing can be challenging and there is not one ‘silver bullet’ that is perfect for every fleet.
CitySprint looks for new vehicle options and innovative solutions that are both environmentally friendly and commercially viable.
These respected fleet operators form part of the expert speakers programme at the Fleet Van Conference on December 2.
Join them at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, to learn how you can improve the efficiency of your fleet.