Farrall’s saves £100,000 pa with Volvo Dyafleet telematics 17 July 2014

National haulage firm Farrall's Transport says it has successfully reduced its carbon footprint and grown the business since spending £1.5 million on 13 new Volvo trucks, and 10 new Lawrence David and Montracon Tautliner trailers, all with tail-lifts – as well as Volvo's Dynafleet telematics.

The operator now runs an all-Volvo fleet comprising nine FH12s (420s and 460s), 21 FH13s (460s, 480s and one 500) and eight FM trucks (seven 450s and one 380). It also runs a total of 60 semi-trailers nationally.

According to general manager Phill Brooks, all 13 new truck purchases were Euro 5s, yielding an estimated 16—18% fuel saving, compared to the outgoing models and enabling the firm to operate distribution in and around London's Low Emission Zone, without penalty.

Importantly, he adds that Dynafleet has helped the entire Volvo fleet improve average mpg from a fleet average of 8.6 to 9.6 mpg, "which adds up to a very satisfying £100,000 a year saving on fuel [per truck]".

Says Brooks: "Given that our fuel bill amounts to over £1 million a year – our biggest bill after wages – this represents a substantial saving. It means that Dynafleet not only pays for itself, but it also helps to fund other key investments, such as IT systems, and helps perpetuate improved efficiency through a driver performance bonus scheme."

Brooks explains that, for Farrall's, Dynafleet not only gives the operational team a real-time view of fuel consumption, but also service intervals, driver times and current vehicle locations.

"This means the transport manager has the clear and accurate information needed to make the right decisions," he continues, adding that much of the data covers drivers' driving styles.

"The system's functionality also includes metrics on activities that can put pressure on the engine – such as the amount of time the vehicle is left idling time, being driven in the 'green band' on revs, coasting on the automatic gearbox, using cruise control, or is in top gear."

And that data not only leads driver training, but also delivers a reward-based league table, based on how the drivers are performing.

"Each area has a weighting, and this correlates to a fuel incentive bonus, which is essentially a fuel-saving share scheme to focus the driver to continually deliver on efficient driving style," explains Brooks.

"Drivers at the top of the league table are also called in to review their figures and the telematics are used for quarterly reviews for all drivers," he says.

"Our drivers have access to the Dynafleet App to see their real-time performance against set criteria. They can also access their own trends," he continues.

"Meanwhile, our management team gains an overview of the fleet through this app. This enables proactive feedback and coaching from our transport manager and driver trainer."

Incidentally, Brooks also indicates that direct fuel-saving interventions have also made a difference. He cites Spraydown mud flaps, lift axles on trailers and aerodynamic aids, including wind deflectors and diffusers on the front and back of all trailers.

"The rewards of all of these measures are considerable, both in terms of the financial savings to the company and the improvement in environmental performance of our business," states Brooks.

"We believe that achieving this aim puts us ahead of the curve for medium sized logistics companies."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Lawrence David Ltd
Montracon Ltd
Volvo Group UK Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.