Marcus RichardsIf you have had to acquire a truck fleet in order to support the running and operations of your business, you’ll know that it’s a lot more work than simply buying a car. Trucks are huge and expensive assets and there’s a lot to learn about managing and maintaining them.
Without proper care and considerations, a truck fleet could end up costing you more than what it’s worth, but when they’re essential to your company’s functioning, you’ll need to bite the bullet and get up to speed with the ins and outs of owning a truck fleet. Here are some things to know.
Management
Managing your fleet, as you’ll soon learn, is a full-time job. This is why the best option for you is to hire a truck fleet manager. A manager will be qualified, experienced and able to manage every aspect of your fleet, from buying the actual vehicles to managing daily operations and issues.
Look out for a manager who has a degree (or other qualification) in logistics, accounting or something similar. These individuals need serious organisational skills and some prior experience in the transportation business. You might not have budgeted for another full-time staff member in the acquisition of your fleet, but this investment will save you money in the long run.
The Role
A fleet manager will take on every responsibility pertaining to the truck fleet. They will help decide on the best trucks to suit your business, and negotiate the best possible price for them. Following this they will take charge of daily operations, hiring and working with drivers, collecting and managing data and improving the general practice.
They will also be responsible for sourcing international truck parts, as part of a repairs and maintenance schedule, doing routine inspections and generally keeping a close eye on the fleet and how they’re performing. Any issues that arise will be dealt with by the manager and will be off your plate.
Benefits of Hiring a Manager
Hiring a fleet manager will only assist you and your business and help you to ensure that things are running smoothly without too much stress on your part. A manager should be well-informed and experienced which will leave you feeling confident that your fleet is in good hands.
In hiring someone for this position, you’ll likely be able to keep your business costs lower than if you were trying to manage it all yourself. They’ll be able to use data and statistics to ensure fuel efficiency in your fleet, and manage your expenses in other ways too.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve recently had to acquire a truck fleet or are planning to do so, it’s in your business’s best interests to find a fleet manager to help you stay up to speed and keep up with the industry too. Fleet managers should also take charge of following trends in the industry, such as the push towards EVs and solar semi-trucks.
With so much to think about, it’s best to leave it in the hands of a professional.
