Editorial – Page 3 – Utility Fleet Professional

Managing Assets, Leading People

Written by Sean M. Lyden on July 30, 2015. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

As I meet with utility fleet managers, a common thread keeps emerging from our conversations – that highly effective fleet professionals are also great leaders.

This is because the job is about more than managing assets; you also have to work with people to get things done.

Take telematics, for instance. From strictly an asset management perspective, telematics can be a powerful tool to reduce fuel costs by tracking driver performance. But if drivers perceive the technology as Big Brother to catch them doing something wrong, this negatively impacts their morale and productivity. So, how do you manage a telematics deployment in such a way that operators become more receptive to the technology?

That takes listening to drivers, understanding their concerns and building consensus among all stakeholders. That’s leadership.

Anytime there’s change – whether it’s a new technology, new safety policy or new rightsizing initiative – employees will naturally be concerned about the impact on their jobs. They’re looking for a fleet manager who will be candid, yet understanding, and walk them through what to expect.

In short, they’re looking for a leader.

And that’s why we’ve included leadership seminars at our Utility Fleet Conference, a new three-day educational program that will take place September 28-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. Highlights include “Awakening the Leader in You” led by Bob McCall, general manager of fleet services for Duke Energy, and “Expanding Your Influence: How to Garner Senior Management Support for Fleet” led by Matt Gilliland, fleet services manager for Nebraska Public Power District.

UFC seminars like these are designed to equip you to grow as a leader so you can get big things done in your fleet – and become indispensable to your organization.

To get more details on the educational agenda and reserve your seat, visit the UFC website at www.utilityfleetprofessional.com/conference.

Thank you for the privilege to serve you. We look forward to seeing you at UFC!

Sean M. Lyden
Editor

Introducing the All-New Utility Fleet Conference at ICUEE

Written by Sean M. Lyden on May 25, 2015. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

Are you seeking to grow your fleet knowledge and skills to become more valuable to your employer? Looking to expand your influence with senior management to get more done for your fleet? Searching for new ideas about how to do more with less, whether it’s money, resources, time or all three?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, we at Utility Fleet Professional magazine have created a must-attend conference for you – the Utility Fleet Conference (UFC).

UFC is a new three-day educational event, scheduled to take place September 28-30, that drills down into best practices, strategies and trends that address the unique needs and challenges of utility fleets. Co-located with the popular International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition in Louisville, Ky., UFC offers an exclusive forum for you to exchange ideas with peers and industry experts, so that you come away with actionable tips to apply in your own fleet and career.

The conference kicks off with a dynamic opening keynote from Ken Sheridan, director of safety and technical training for Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, titled “Applying a Culture of Safety to Your Fleet Operations,” followed by a series of utility fleet-focused seminars, networking lunches and panel discussions.

Our expert presenters and panelists will go deep on a wide range of topics, including equipment specification strategies, fleet technologies and trends, fleet maintenance best practices and leadership development.

Interested in learning more?

Check out the 2015 UFC brochure that was mailed with this issue of the magazine. Then visit the conference website at www.utilityfleetprofessional.com/conference, where you can find more details on the conference agenda and register to reserve your seat.

We’re excited for this privilege to build upon the value of our magazine’s content by taking utility fleet education to a more in-depth and personal level.

We look forward to seeing you and helping you grow at UFC!

Sean M. Lyden
Editor

New Design with Your Success in Mind

Written by Sean M. Lyden on February 19, 2015. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

When you work in fleet operations in the utility industry, you’re under intense pressure to juggle multiple roles – and to do them all well. You’re expected to be an engineer (to spec vehicles for maximum uptime and efficiency), a chief negotiator (to drive the lowest acquisition costs), a financial analyst (to squeeze more profit from operations), an organizational psychologist (to boost driver morale and productivity) and a risk manager (to improve safety and minimize exposure).

Yet there is only so much time in the day. When your attention is spread across various responsibilities, where do you find the time to gather the information you need to grow and excel in your work?

That’s what we seek to help you with through our redesign of Utility Fleet Professional magazine.

We understand that your time is precious and have structured the magazine accordingly, with shorter reads, insightful infographics and easier navigation. You’ll notice that we have added new departments, offering you more utility fleet news, advice and best practices in a more digestible format, so you can immediately apply all that you have learned.

In a sense, think of us at UFP as your research and education team. We save you time by pulling together the fleet management information and strategies you need to make your job more productive and less stressful.

So, what are the most pressing challenges impacting you and your fleet? Chances are, there are many others in the utility fleet community who are dealing with the same issues, and who could also benefit by learning practical tips and best practices from peers and industry experts. I encourage you to share your thoughts, challenges and concerns with me at sean@utilityfleetprofessional.com. The UFP staff strive to make your job easier by reaching out to the right experts, uncovering the best solutions and providing you with the most relevant, actionable information.

As your new editor of UFP, I am excited about where the magazine is headed and the opportunity to be a part of an amazing team. My passion is to ensure our content – both in print and online at www.utilityfleetprofessional.com – becomes indispensable to your success.

Sean M. Lyden
Editor

Getting Involved

Written by Seth Skydel on October 6, 2014. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

Regulatory issues continue to dominate legislative agendas. In his annual regulatory and legislative update during this year’s Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference, Pat O’Connor, legislative counsel for the NAFA Fleet Management Association, covered a range of topics for fleet executives to consider.

“Phase 2 greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards for work trucks are an opportunity to get involved,” O’Connor said. “That includes while EPA and NHTSA are drafting proposed rules, during the comment period and as Congress exercises its oversight authority. A notice of proposed rulemaking is now expected by March 2015, and a final rule should be in place by March 2016.

“As EPA sets GHG standards, it needs data for finer segmentation of the vocational vehicle market,” O’Connor continued. “There is a lack of data on segments where there is significant idle time, and how best to define categories of idle time on a time- or fuel-consumed basis.”

Another opportunity to offer input is in regard to new clean car and fuel standards issued by the EPA. Starting in 2017, the Tier 3 new vehicle emissions standards will lower the sulfur content of gasoline, considering the vehicle and its fuel as an integrated system. Tier 3 will reduce volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide tailpipe standards by 80 percent over today’s fleet, establish a 70 percent tighter particulate matter standard and reduce fuel vapor emissions to zero level.

Safety is also on legislative agendas. “For example,” O’Connor reported, “the National Transportation Safety Board studied the safety record of single-unit trucks in an attempt to identify appropriate countermeasures for these vehicles. In response to the findings of the study, the NTSB made nine recommendations to NHTSA and four recommendations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

“However,” O’Connor said, “while FMCSA has little credible data with respect to the safety performance of managed fleets that include single-unit trucks, in the future it will be exploring options for setting different regulatory requirements for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. One option mentioned was to make a distinction for mandated fleets in the federal motor vehicle safety regulations.”

On March 31 of this year, O’Connor also told EUFMC attendees, NHTSA issued a final rule that, by May 2018, all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds GVWR must be equipped with rear-visibility technology. Approved systems will expand the field of view to enable the driver to detect areas behind the vehicle in an effort to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from backing incidents. Manufacturers have petitioned to allow cameras as an option to the conventional side-view and rearview mirrors.

For utility fleets, according to O’Connor, getting involved in these issues can help avoid having technology forced upon them when new standards are implemented, and can help legislators and regulators consider incentives that will lead to true fuel-saving and safety solutions. By bringing data into the decision-making process, including information on diverse and unique vehicle duty cycles, fleets will also be better positioned to address life-cycle and capital budget challenges and serve as a more valuable resource to senior management.

“Public policy includes legislation, regulations, implementation and enforcement activity, and administrative actions,” O’Connor said. “Engagement by fleet managers can inform and influence public policy.”

Seth Skydel
Editor

Moving the Needle

Written by Seth Skydel on August 1, 2014. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

Wherever we turn these days, it seems that CNG is one topic on everyone’s mind. At the 2014 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference held in June, for example, CNG was the subject of the first technical session, including a report by Nina Kisch, manager, fleet administration, transportation services at PG&E. Among the more than 3,300 on-road alternative-fueled and high-efficiency vehicles in the PG&E fleet, she reported, there are more than 720 natural gas units.

“CNG has a lower equivalent cost than gasoline or diesel, and lower carbon intensity than biodiesel, LNG, ultra-low-sulfur diesel, ethanol and reformulated gasoline,” Kisch reported. “CNG is also considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. In addition, while the number of light-duty natural gas vehicles from OEMs are limited but growing, a wide variety of heavy-duty natural gas vehicles are available from manufacturers, and CNG conversions are readily available.

“While the current generation of equipment is much more reliable than first generation,” Kisch continued, “CNG vehicles aren’t available in large quantities, there are range limitations due to storage and density, and fuel storage space on the vehicle is an issue, so CNG often requires us to build a bigger, less fuel-efficient truck than diesel. There is also still a significant premium on purchases of $5,000 to $8,000 for light-duty models and $15,000 to $30,000 or more for a heavy-duty vehicle, depending on the size of the fuel system and technology, higher maintenance costs due to durability and parts availability, and in some cases a lack of qualified technicians and service centers.”

Werner J. Schweiger, Northeast Utilities president, electric distribution, delivered the keynote address at EUFMC, and CNG was also on his agenda. “The utility industry is addressing how efficiently it manages its energy portfolio,” he said, “and sustainability is a fleet issue as well. As a result, the debate about alternative fuels is a challenge in the Northeast Utilities fleet of more than 5,000 assets.

“Idling has become a significant issue,” Schweiger went on to explain. “Along with fostering a culture of more responsible operational practices, we also need to adopt technological solutions that promote environmental responsibility and enhance the image we portray in our communities.”

Increasingly in use at Northeast Utilities, Schweiger noted, are alternatives to gas and diesel vehicles and equipment. In particular, CNG-powered units are being added to the utility’s light-duty fleet. However, there does remain the challenge posed by a fuel supply infrastructure for natural gas vehicles.

“Fueling infrastructure is one of the largest limitations on CNG vehicle adoption,” Schweiger said. “With respect to the solution, expansion of more fill stations must be driven by a larger demand that has to come from more CNG-enabled fleets and more progress in cost-effective solutions among the choices available for CNG models. Other partners in finding a solution can be local, state and federal agencies that promote conversion of fleets to alternative fuels such as CNG through grants and other programs.”

Schweiger encourages dialogue among industry stakeholders. “Forums such as the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference are ideal for the collaboration that is needed to bridge the requirements of utilities with the gas industry and automotive vendors,” he stated.

“As an operations executive, I have always valued the role of fleet,” Schweiger continued. “While fleet was once viewed merely as a cost center, it is now a strategic asset as utilities work to effectively manage their fuel costs and to enhance a culture that is environmentally responsible. The theme of this conference – driving fleet value and performance – is timely as the industry continues to focus on fuel diversity, a challenge that will grow. The amount of progress you have already made is impressive, and the collaboration between fleet professionals and vendors has moved the needle with respect to the transportation needs of the utility industry.”

For more information about EUFMC, visit www.eufmc.com.

Seth Skydel
Editor

Growing Support

Written by Seth Skydel on May 29, 2014. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

In his State of the Union address delivered earlier this year, President Obama, speaking about the important role natural gas has played in his “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, urged Congress to support construction of natural gas fueling stations. NGVAmerica, an organization that represents more than 200 companies, environmental groups, and government organizations interested in the use of natural gas and biomethane as transportation fuels, was quick to applaud his remarks.

“We are pleased to hear the president encourage the use of clean and affordable domestically produced natural gas in our cars and trucks,” said Richard Kolodziej, president of NGVAmerica. “The natural gas vehicle market is growing, but the support of Congress would help accelerate the transition to a transportation fuel that is clean, abundant and domestic.”

Kolodziej went on to point out ways Congress can help accelerate the development of a natural gas fueling infrastructure. On his list were reinstating natural gas fuel and infrastructure tax credits that recently expired. Congress, he added, can also accelerate the transition to natural gas by passing legislation to improve federal excise taxes on the sale of liquefied natural gas and the incremental cost of natural gas trucks.

While legislative issues are considered, fleet managers at the recent NTEA Green Truck Summit and Work Truck Show were able to test-drive a lineup of propane autogas vehicles at a dedicated ride and drive sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Manufacturers and PERC experts also demonstrated the ease of refueling with propane autogas.

For the event, ROUSH CleanTech, a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier, General Motors, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. in partnership with CleanFUEL USA, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc., and Icom North America made Class 1 through 6 propane-autogas-fueled trucks and vans available for test drives.

In 2013, noted Michael Taylor, director of propane autogas at PERC, propane autogas sales reached an all-time high as OEMs produced record numbers of dedicated propane vehicles. “Fleet managers can find more state-of-the-art propane vehicles today than at any point in the history of the fuel,” he said.

Events like the PERC test drive can help utility fleet managers determine if propane autogas is a good fit for their operations. While support for natural gas vehicles is clearly on the rise, and manufacturers are ready to supply vehicles, it is up to our legislators to lend a helping hand as well.

Seth Skydel
Editor

How to Measure Performance

Written by Seth Skydel on February 28, 2014. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

Informed, effective decisions are rooted in accurate data. That was precisely the goal behind a survey on Key Process Indicators (KPIs) conducted by the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference. At its 2013 gathering, EUFMC presented results of that survey, which was completed by more than 100 utility companies. The findings provide a helpful list of valuable KPIs:

Availability: Vehicle Downtime, Mean Time between Repair, Ratio of Time in Shop to Time in Service, and Total Hours Available are used to prioritize engineering focus, make decisions about overtime and staffing levels, and address service level commitments by identifying hiring needs as well as areas for outsourcing specific repairs and services.

Budget Compliance: YTD Budget and Spend Comparison, Capital Budget Compliance, and Actual vs. Budget Financial Reports are used to adjust business plans, spend rates and purchase plans, and for controlling expenses for overtime, outside services and staffing. This metric is viewed as a primary driver for overall fleet direction.

Cost Per Customer: Fleet Cost Per Retail Customer, Total Cost Per Internal Customer, and Fleet Cost Per Customer – External all help target improvement goals and more efficient purchasing for specific departments, as well as help reduce overall fleet size based on underutilization findings. Management decisions based on this KPI have led to new vehicle standards, increased utilization by right-sizing fleets and streamlined processes.

Fuel Consumption: Average MPG, Fuel Consumed Per 100 Mile/KM, and Fuel Usage Comparison measures are used for defining areas of focus for driver performance improvement, forecasting fuel costs and validating fuel purchasing programs, and making vehicle acquisition and technology decisions, including selection of more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Mechanic Time: Indirect vs. Direct Labor Comparisons, Monthly Vehicles Worked On and Work Orders Completed, Technician Billable Hours, and Overtime Report tracking help prioritize work and identify slower times that can be used for employee training, determine staffing levels and fleet size by location, and perform cost analyses for specific activities.

PM Metrics: PM Completion Rate, Percent of Units Meeting PM Scheduled Deadlines, and PM Average Completion Rate help ensure preventive maintenance program compliance, align the workforce to support locations, develop plans to address overtime and outsourcing, and evaluate PM workload goals.

Safety: Miles Driven without a Controllable Vehicle Accident, Number of OSHA Incidents by Department, and Near Miss Reports are helping with purchasing decisions on type/brand of equipment, addressing workforce shortages, overtime and outsourcing activities, and with the focus on compliance.

Cost Per Mile: Average Total Cost Per Mile and Total Cost Per Mile by Unit Type are eliminating excess idle time and lowering acquisition costs. Operating Cost Per Mile/KM and Operating Cost Per Vehicle enable more effective cost management decisions.

Total Cost Per Unit: Monthly Expense Reports by Unit, Cost Per Unit, and Total Expense by Type of Unit (with a Ten Year Comparison) are helping evaluate operating costs for labor, materials, supplies/tools, outside services and internal shops, and introduce programs to reduce maintenance costs.

Utilization: Fleet Utilization, Projected Miles and Monthly Mileage by Department reports are optimizing fleet size.

Work Order Metrics: PM Mechanic Time vs. Repair Time, Preventive Maintenance, Corrective Work Percentage, and Repair and PM Turnaround Time tracking help focus on education and training, and making shift personnel and workload evaluations.

Across the board, these fleets reported that business decisions made as a result of focusing on measures that gauge the effectiveness of management strategies are an important part of raising performance standards. For more information about EUFMC, visit www.eufmc.com.

Seth Skydel
Editor

Are We Done With Diesel?

Written by Seth Skydel on December 2, 2013. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

Considering all the activity surrounding alternative fuel vehicles and equipment, from natural gas to hybrids to all-electric models, it’s hard not to wonder if diesel fuel might someday become a thing of the past. Those thoughts were easily erased, however, if you attended the 2013 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Washington, D.C., where new technology diesel advancements for trucks and passenger vehicles were showcased by the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF).

The ACT Expo (www.actexpo.com), according to its organizer, is North America’s largest alternative fuel and clean vehicle technology conference and exposition and the site of many displays of electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas, propane autogas and renewable fuels. The DTF (www.dieselforum.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about diesel engines, fuel and technology.

According to the DTF, all indications are that diesel fuel is here to stay. Consider, for example, that more than 95 percent of all heavy-duty trucks and a majority of medium-duty trucks are diesel-powered. Today as well, the forum points out that most diesel engines can run on biodiesel blends with little modification as well as next-generation renewable diesel fuels, which are under development by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program and by companies in the private sector.

More than 28 percent of all trucks registered in the U.S. are now equipped with advanced new technology clean diesel engines, according to data compiled by R.L. Polk & Co. for the DTF. The Polk data includes registration information on Class 3 through 8 trucks from 2007 through 2012 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“The fact that many trucks on U.S. roads today are equipped with new technology diesel engines with near zero emissions is significant for the environment,” said Allen Schaeffer, DTF executive director. “Emissions from today’s diesel trucks are near zero thanks to more efficient engines, more effective emissions control technology and the nationwide availability of ultralow sulfur diesel fuel.”

DTF points out that new clean diesel technology has reduced emissions from heavy-duty trucks by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides and 98 percent for particulate emissions, and that new ultralow sulfur diesel fuel has reduced sulfur emissions by 97 percent. In addition, new emissions control technology and ultralow sulfur diesel are benefiting many of the older diesel trucks built before 2007. “Through the use of retrofit upgrades, older diesel engines can improve their performance and reduce key emissions by as much as 90 percent,” Schaeffer said.

“What makes new diesel technology even more remarkable is that model year 2010 and later trucks are experiencing an average of 3 to 5 percent improvement in fuel economy,” Schaeffer continued. “Additionally, diesel also provides a unique technology platform suitable for expanded hybrid powertrains and lower-carbon renewable fuels, both of which are very viable strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the future.”

The new generation of clean diesel technology, ultralow sulfur diesel fuel, cleaner engines and advanced emissions control technology provides both environmental and economic benefits to the U.S.

To answer the question “Are we done with diesel?” with anything but a resounding “no” would be premature. Diesel remains a driving force behind the trucks that power utility fleets and continues to play a central role in the effort to reduce fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years.

Seth Skydel
Editor

Record Pace

Written by Seth Skydel on September 20, 2013. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

At press time, ICUEE 2013 is on track to set new records. Strong exhibitor demand is pushing exhibit space to capacity, attendee registrations continue to outpace the last two shows and a new education program lineup is attracting near-record sales.

“We certainly hope these positive ICUEE trends reflect a more sustained industry recovery,” said Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the owner and producer of ICUEE.

ICUEE, known as The Demo Expo, brings electric, phone/cable, sewer/water, gas, general construction, landscaping and public works professionals together with experts from manufacturers and service providers to discuss and compare the latest product innovations and to operate equipment in job-like conditions.

More than 16,000 attendees are expected at the event where they will find 800+ exhibitors and more than 25 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits and product demonstrations. New for 2013 is an indoor exhibitor demo stage where attendees will have opportunities for a firsthand look at new technologies.

Expanded, upgraded education programming at ICUEE 2013 will give attendees a more comprehensive understanding of key industry topics of interest. A record number of industry organizations are co-locating events and education sessions at ICUEE this year.

Included are the Association of Equipment Management Professionals Asset Management Symposium; the Fluid Power Conference, produced and managed by Hydraulics & Pneumatics, which will feature a full day of technical sessions highlighting basic fluid power and troubleshooting for utility vehicles; and the National Rural Water Association’s H2O-XPO for decision-makers and buyers in the water and wastewater industries.

Other educational events being held in conjunction with ICUEE this year include a CALSTART education conference focused on sustainable solutions for fleets and NAFA professional development programs on risk management for fleet managers. The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators will host several exams and its new Service Truck Crane Operator Course and Certification program.

Additionally at ICUEE 2013, the North American Society for Trenchless Technology is co-locating its Cured-in-Place Pipe Good Practices course for trenchless professionals, Underground Construction Technology is holding educational programming relating to the underground construction and rehabilitation infrastructure, and the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo, produced by UFP’s sister publication, Incident Prevention, will hold its education event for safety, training and operations professionals.

While industry professionals continue to view ICUEE as a valuable venue, as many as 16 industry groups have signed on as official supporting organizations. A full list of these organizations can be found at http://icuee.com/about/supportedby/orgs/.

ICUEE traces its roots to an Illinois farm in the summer of 1966 where Illinois Bell invited 12 trencher manufacturers to demonstrate equipment in the same field on the same day. The event was such a success that it was repeated in 1969 and 1972 as a three-day utility equipment show. By the late 1970s, ICUEE had become a biennial event.

Today, ICUEE is setting new attendance and participation records for its growing education programs and its equipment demonstrations that allow attendees to make effective competitive comparisons.

Seth Skydel
Editor

Sharing Ideas

Written by Seth Skydel on July 25, 2013. Posted in Editor's Perspective.

Industry events are all about sharing information and ideas and this year’s Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (www.eufmc.com) was no exception. Held in June, the annual conference celebrated its 60th anniversary with a mix of networking opportunities and a host of technical sessions that focused on the latest utility fleet management techniques and technologies.

The keynote address at EUFMC this year was delivered by Greg Pruett, senior vice president of corporate affairs for PG&E Corp. and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. In his remarks, Pruett focused in large part on electric vehicles, a subject we continue to follow at UFP as well.

PG&E, which has a long history of incorporating efficient and sustainable transportation technologies, today has more than 3,400 alternative fuel models in its fleet. Included are electric, natural gas and hybrid vehicles. The company is also working with aerial device suppliers to develop and test plug-in battery-powered systems and is deploying extended-range electric trucks, plug-in hybrid material handlers and all-electric service body units. To support these new vehicles, PG&E has installed more than 80 electric vehicle charging stations.

“We have also worked to develop customized lease terms that take into account the life cycle of electric vehicles,” Pruett noted. “We believe that other utilities can take advantage of these opportunities as well. Collectively, when it comes to the electrification of transportation, the utility industry has an incredible opportunity to be a game changer across the U.S.”

Among the topics on the 2013 EUFMC agenda were electric PTOs, a regulatory update, safety, fuel, boom inspections and technology in fleet garages. In addition, roundtable sessions for fleet managers and suppliers covered common challenges and the sharing of best practices.

One presentation at EUFMC that attracted a lot of attention was a report regarding a recently concluded survey on key process indicators (KPI). Mike Allison, director at Duke Energy, provided an overview of results; full details will be available in the future.

The KPI Survey, conducted in April by Utilimarc, is the second annual survey commissioned by EUFMC. In 2012, the conference presented results of its PM Practices & Technician Training Survey. For 2013, the focus was on the measures fleets are using to gauge the effectiveness of their management strategies.

Included were metrics in place to monitor vehicle availability, such as downtime and mean time between repairs, budget compliance, costs, fuel consumption, mechanic time, preventive maintenance, safety and a number of other areas. In each case, survey respondents ranked individual KPIs in different categories and reported on how the metrics help make more effective business decisions.

A new idea introduced at EUFMC that also promotes the sharing of information was the recently unveiled MechanicsQA. Offered by FleetAnswers, the forum allows technicians to “reach out to other fleet mechanics at a job specific level to ask questions and provide answers” in a collaborative setting. The forum, which has been undergoing testing at fleets, will eventually include a searchable database and other capabilities. Access to the free forum is available at www.mechanicsqa.com.

“Fleet is the backbone of our industry,” Pruett told the more than 100 fleet professionals at EUFMC. “We cannot serve our customers without it and in many cases our fleet is the main contact our customers have with us. It’s essential that we field vehicles that are as safe, clean and reliable as the electricity we provide. Your role as leaders is not static. It is rapidly changing and increasingly important.”

For the 2013 EUFMC audience, that message was not a surprise. Founded in 1953, the association has been educating fleet professionals for six decades, proving that there is no better venue for sharing ideas and best practices.

Seth Skydel
Editor

Tag: Editorial

Managing Assets, Leading People

Introducing the All-New Utility Fleet Conference at ICUEE

New Design with Your Success in Mind

Getting Involved

Moving the Needle

Growing Support

How to Measure Performance

Are We Done With Diesel?

Record Pace

Sharing Ideas

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