Landscaping companies need fleets of vehicles to deliver services and products to a demanding, yet appreciative, clientele. Whether it’s a new project or scheduled maintenance, sending the right vehicle is essential in making money in this competitive business.
There is also a seasonal urgency that may translate to stress and client impatience. If one landscape company can’t deliver as expected, quite often the client just picks up the phone and calls the next company on the list. But smart landscape operators have long figured this out and manage their teams with an accuracy that makes them the envy of the fleet management world.
The challenges that face the landscape industry are not that uncommon to many industries. It’s how they have responded that makes this knowledge worth sharing. What are some of the tricks leaders in this industry have embraced to make them more efficient and high producers?
And how can others benefit from what they have learned? The following tips are a good place to start.
TOP 4 LANDSCAPE FLEET VEHICLE MANAGEMENT TIPS
1. Deploy Purpose Built Vehicles
The analogy of “using the right tool for the job” is amplified in this example. Landscape operators know with accuracy what tools will be required for a particular assignment. Each vehicle is should be properly upfitted and equipped to deal with 95% of the potential issues that arise, with enough supplies on-board to last a day or two. Together these items allow for a smaller, more nimble fleet. And all the supplies are at the fingertips of the drivers. So spec’ing the right vehicle is an essential step in making crews more efficient.
2. Use Fuel and Maintenance Cards
A single fleet card that is accepted at nearly all fuel and maintenance facilities makes drivers more efficient. When they need to “fill-up” they can do so in the most efficient way: along the route to the next call.
3. Install Telematics
Dispatching the right vehicle requires knowing where all drivers are currently located. With fleet telematics, a single screen advises the dispatcher of the most available and nearest driver. Shorter trips make the fleet more efficient. This translates to more visits per day, happier clients, and increased revenue.
4. Drive Branded Vehicles
Sure it's about service and attention to details, but knowing who landscaped your neighbour’s property will ensure that the business is at the top of the list when additional landscape opportunities arise.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the tactics that smart landscape companies embrace to ensure a competitive advantage in their crowded marketplace. And the bonus is: this knowledge is also highly transferable to other industries.
So no matter which sector you are in, you can always learn from the effective fleet management tactics of others. Don’t hesitate to follow the lead of successful landscaping companies who have taken steps to streamline and improve their processes. Start with the above tips, and enjoy more fleet efficiency, less headaches, and a healthier bottom line.
Get to Know the Author
Ryan joined the Foss National Leasing team in 2014. Though the son of our president, no special treatment is at play here! He really is a chip off the old block; Ryan is a hard worker, and in fact was the recipient of the 2016 Employee of the Year award. Starting in our Operations department, he received a promotion shortly thereafter to the Client Service department, and most recently was promoted to the Sales department. As a Sales Executive, Ryan is excited to work with small businesses, helping them find solutions to better manage and organize their commercial fleets. Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys skiing, cycling and staying active.
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