The Newtonards-based fleet of 29,000-litre milk tankers, which operate in what the firm describes as demanding terrain, is now achieving average fuel usage of 6.5 mpg and in some cases 7mpg, compared with 5.8 mpg before.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing, recalls North Down Grain director Philip Davidson.
“We are now into our second contract with MiX Telematics and have become very satisfied users of the system,” he says.
“We did have some concerns in the early days that led us to question the return on investment value. [But] we were assigned a MiX Telematics fleet consultant who worked closely with us to achieve our goals.”
MiX Telematics senior fleet consultant Dron Kyle worked with North Down Grain transport manager Brendan Given, and set up fuel targets.
“I now have a full set of reports I run on a weekly basis,” states Davidson.
“I have access to information on fuel usage, driver performance and vehicle performance, [which] provides me with the overview I need and allows me to make strategic business decisions.”
North Down Grain now rotates its drivers across routes and vehicles over specific time periods, and Davidson believes this has been instrumental in building fuel savings.
Additionally, he says the system has also helped in protecting North Down Grain against false claims. Since installation, two formal complaints against its trucks have been refuted.
Using Mix Telematics’ historical tracking function, the company was able to prove that its vehicles were not present at the time and place specified.
“The MiX system is an invaluable tool... I have the mobile app installed on my iPhone and it’s the first thing I check when I wake up in the morning,” comments Davidson.
“It allows me to run a smooth and efficient business operation and offers peace of mind when I’m away from the office. I couldn’t imagine trying to work without it,” agrees Given.