Vehicle tracking on screen
One of the North West's leading concrete and aggregate suppliers has revealed it is using fleet management technology to boost productivity, customer service and win new business.
Stockport-based Aardvark Concrete, which operates a fleet of 14 vehicles supplying concrete and aggregate to DIY and trade contractors, has improved its customer response times and is now able to offer 30 minute delivery slots thanks to Navman Wireless vehicle tracking.
The technology provides managers with real-time information on the exact position and speed of vehicles while generating data on journey times, driving speeds and fuel consumption. It also enables two-way messaging and integrated routing via business-specific in-cab satellite navigation units.
"Many companies are unable to narrow down the time of deliveries beyond open-ended mornings or afternoons," said John Kilroe, Aardvark Concrete's Managing Director.
"With vehicle tracking software on our computer screens, we can see at a glance exactly where all our trucks are in real time, making us more efficient in allocating new jobs and being able to match jobs to the most appropriate vehicles.
"This, in turn, has enabled us to offer the more precise half hour delivery slots and secure new business on the back of marked operational improvements.
These have led to us increasing the number of jobs our drivers complete each day."
"If a customer calls wanting to know the whereabouts of their delivery, rather than us calling the driver then calling the customer back, we look on screen and tell them exactly where he is and what time he will arrive."
Aardvark's entire fleet has also been fitted with ConEx devices - units that capture other vehicle-related activities. These enable the company to see exactly when a truck starts and stops pouring concrete, meaning no delay in despatching the driver to his next job.
With the help of Navman Wireless vehicle tracking, Aardvark aims to increase turnover by £1 million over the coming year by targeting new customers, from utility companies and local government organisations.
"The system has improved efficiency in many areas of our business and has given us a vital competitive advantage," John added.