Your shout04 September 2012

The goals of a fleet engineer may differ in detail from those of their counterparts in logistics but, ultimately, everyone should be striving to meet the same ends.

So, what should be on a fleet engineer's wish list that woul align with logistics? First, the vehicle specification has to meet all of the requirements of the logistics department, and have the support of the manufacturer.

Secondly, maintenance of the vehicle needs to be simple, brief and cost-effective. If I send my vehicles to a maintenance provider, I want a dedicated technician waiting for my vehicle, ready to work on it. This vehicle must never break down, and if it does, I want an instant replacement – free of charge – to ensure that my delivery is not affected, thus eliminating the need for any compensation battles.

Thirdly, at MOT time, the vehicle is inspected at 06:00, adjustments made between 08:00 and 09:00; the vehicle loaded at 0930 (with our product), presented for test at 10:00 and on its way to the customer to make a delivery at 11:00.

Next, maintenance inspections should be just that; inspections with a few minor adjustments. The vehicle should be available for work after three hours in the workshop. If anything beyond adjustment is required, and the vehicle is to be off road for more than four hours, then the replacement vehicle should again be despatched.

Fifthly, the vehicle combination needs to be constructed of the lightest, but strongest, materials, thereby ensuring maximum carrying capacity. Equally, the vehicle must be fuel-efficient and be able to run on whatever fuel is available, and be easily programmed to run on new, cheaper fuels as and when they are available.

If you can achieve all of these objectives, you will have done your job and the logistics department will be extremely happy.

The reality, however, is, at best, a challenge to the manufacturers.

Author
IRTE

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