Many benefits can be achieved by optimizing one’s fleet and integrating safety into vehicles. These include improved efficiency, decreased costs, less downtime, more productivity, and reduced fleet risk.
A key to achieving an optimized fleet is understanding the crucial role of telematics technology for fleet management and vehicle tracking," says Rob Troxel, CEO and Co-Owner of Premier Truck Rental (PTR).
Incorporating telematics into fleet management practices allows a fleet to continually glean insights into its fleet productivity and efficiency.
By tracking fleet productivity, monitoring trends, and ensuring alignment with goals, a fleet can determine if it is maximizing its assets and resources, he points out. When you have the appropriate tools available for the job, it decreases potential downtime and increases productivity.
There are many benefits to renting work trucks, adds Troxel. Firstly, renting can be more affordable than purchasing. You pay a fixed cost for the specific unit needed for your project and can keep the truck for the exact length of the specific project. Secondly, you get the newest models with the extra benefits and features with customization that’s done in-house. Lastly, there’s minimal commitment since fleets are rented on a monthly basis, and have limited damage and maintenance programs to facilitate more up time with less hassle.
He says integrating upfits that focus on safety on fleet vehicles – for example strobe lights for safety, additional storage for tools, and the correct size crane for the job – help keep crews safe while on the jobsite. One unique perk of renting your fleet is that most rental units have GPS included in them, providing you with instant access to your fleet performance.
Monitor and track
A fleet can determine if it is maximizing its assets and resources by regularly monitoring trends and ensuring the alignment of equipment with organizational and project-specific goals, explains Troxel. Maximizing assets and resources stems from tracking fleet productivity and incorporating upfits to boost efficiency. By intentionally maximizing assets and resources you should anticipate increases in crew productivity and efficiency.
He notes that a key challenge for fleets is to stay well-informed of technology as it is continually evolving and improving. Therefore, fleets need to stay abreast of the tools available that can help streamline costs and better manage their fleet.
About the speaker
Troxel has spent his entire career in equipment rentals, starting NESCO in 1987 with his father, brother, and a family friend. NESCO grew rapidly over the years. Troxel exited the organization in 2013 after selling the company.
In 2014, Troxel and his daughter, Adriene Horn, started PTR (Premier Truck Rental) with the goal of providing custom trucks and trailers to construction companies across the U.S. Over nine years, Troxel says PTR has established credibility in the industry as fleet experts and partners that will do what it takes to help customers.
PTR has undergone three expansions and is now opening a state-of-the-art facility in Fort Worth, TX.
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