Outsourcing fleet maintenance with Amerit can reduce costs, improve uptime and increase the efficiency of your fleet.
At Amerit, we have found that even fleets with well-run maintenance programs have areas that are problematic. Challenges may stem from growth into new markets, poor services from 3rd party vendors or difficulties in recruiting qualified technicians. Amerit’s ability to nimbly create solutions that solve these problem areas has become a hallmark of our approach to keeping your fleet rolling.
The following case study outlines how we have done just that- made significant improvements for a distribution fleet that was facing severe challenges in select locations.
The Situation: The Deadly Duo- Poor Quality and High Costs.
As is common for many large fleets, part of our client’s maintenance program included outsourced locations. And as is also common, some locations ran well but in one region our client faced serious issues that crippled their fleet and profitability. The situation included:
- Local 3rd party provider had significant outsourced spend.
- Provider significantly behind on PMs creating DOT compliance concerns.
- High costs from current supplier outsourcing a large percentage of work.
- Under 75% equipment availability causing strain on remaining units and creating logistics route planning and customer service concerns.
- High costs due to low in-house technician productivity and high outsourced spend.
The Amerit Solution: Workforce Upgrade.
After thorough on-site reviews, Amerit felt confident that our expertise in right-sizing, recruiting, training and managing on-site workforces would deliver significant improvements to our client’s fleet operations. Our solution included:
- Reducing outsourced spend by staffing with technicians who were trained and qualified to perform all required maintenance and repairs, only outsourcing highly specialized work.
- Increases in productivity and quality through better management and training, tracked to targets and reported monthly.
- Staffing levels suited to fleet’s operating schedules, including the 24/7 demands of the identified locations.
The Result: A Safe and Reliable Fleet That Is Up and Running.
Our team of recruiters and managers went to work and quickly recruited, trained and deployed 19 technicians, who’s initial directive was to triage the fleet, covering the basics of DOT compliance to ensure that each unit was operating safely and reliably.
After securing the safety of the fleet, the team turned their attention to implementing a PM schedule and other best-in-class processes to address the ongoing, and future, maintenance needs of the fleet. Within a few short months the team posted these results:
- Over 35% cost reduction
- Over $1.2M annual savings in outsourced work
- 32% reduction in Total Cost Per Mile
- Raised equipment availability to 95%
- 40% increase in PM currency
- Improved tech productivity from 80% to over 100% by beating SRTs, greater efficiency and organization of shop and comprehensive in-house services.
Now that we’ve reviewed the case study, let’s review how Amerit can reduce costs, improve uptime and increase the efficiency of your fleet.
Reduce Costs
When it comes to outsourcing fleet maintenance, there are several ways to reduce costs. Whether it’s hiring talented technicians to make expert repairs, or saving money on parts and equipment, look for a supplier who has the experience and the expertise to make it happen. Another way to reduce costs is to implement proactive PMs (Preventative Maintenance).
Proactive PMs
Outsourcing fleet maintenance is an effective way to reduce expenses for your fleet operations. A great partner will provide expert technicians, who are trained to spot developing, potentially costly, issues before they become large problems.
By being proactive and noting potential issues down the line, Amerit’s fleet maintenance programs result in the fleet being able to reduce expenses by avoiding unscheduled downtime and serious repairs.
Avoiding costly repairs and potential breakdowns means increasing uptime and decreasing costs.
Talented Technicians
Another benefit to outsourcing fleet maintenance is the third-party management of technicians. Next to drivers, technicians are the hardest to fund, hire and keep. And the nature of the work with changing regulations and evolving technologies, also means that technicians require on-going and thorough training.
Amerit has become the employer of choice for today’s best technicians. We have a team dedicated to recruiting, hiring, training and managing the best technicians for your fleet maintenance needs.
Day or night, specialized equipment or standard equipment, small town or booming metropolis, we will find the right techs for your job.
Parts and Equipment
Outsourcing fleet maintenance can improve the way your fleet orders parts and equipment, ultimately saving you money by leveraging the larger footprint and volume of fleet vehicles they support. Amerit works with nationwide suppliers, and because of our established relationships, size and experience we are in a better position to negotiate price.
When it comes to aftermarket parts versus Original Manufacturer Equipment (OEM) – is the extra cost worth is? The short answer is that it depends.
When procuring replacement parts for your fleet, Amerit has found that using a blended approach to parts acquisition is key to success. By creating a strategic national supplier network, Amerit’s parts and tire program allows several benefits including:
- Cost reduction
- Less vehicle downtime
- Greater access to parts availability
Improving Uptime with 3 Custom, Amerit Solutions
Every fleet has its own unique challenges, operations and vehicles. At Amerit, we know that a solution for one vehicle may not warrant success for another vehicle. Which is why we offer several different service solutions.
It’s like having your own garage, but better. This outsourcing fleet maintenance plan is focused on rapid turnaround and comprehensive, high quality services for a small number of fleets – acting as your home garage, minus the hassle.
Think of it as a garage on wheels. Developed to provide the highest quality maintenance and repair services on location, this outsourcing fleet maintenance plan can be deployed anytime and anywhere in the country.
Your garage. Our technicians. No hassle.
Our on-site fleet maintenance acts as an extension of your team, adding expert technical value, while reducing headaches so you can focus on your business.
Conclusion
As the most trusted and respected team of fleet maintenance professionals in the country, we leverage our nationwide infrastructure to create maintenance service solutions wherever you need them.
For more information please call 855-832-9922 or visit www.ameritfleetsolutions.com.