Challenge:
Timing is everything during a large concrete pour. If trucks arrive too early, they waste fuel idling, while if they arrive too late, the previously poured concrete may begin to harden. Virgin Concrete, based in Whangarei and servicing all of Northland since 2008, needed to improve the timing and efficiency of their fleet to meet the high demands of both residential and commercial projects.
The primary issues included:
- Ensuring concrete trucks arrive at job sites exactly when needed to prevent costly delays.
- Maintaining safety standards and legal compliance for a fleet of large trucks.
- Simplifying the process of reclaiming Road User Charges (RUC) for off-road usage.
- Keeping the fleet in tip-top condition with timely servicing, certifications and registrations.
Teletrac Navman has allowed us to be very accurate in getting concrete trucks to sites exactly when they are needed, and that makes our customers happy.
- Suzy Fisher, Managing Director
Solution:
Virgin Concrete implemented Teletrac Navman’s fleet management system in 2012, starting with five trucks and eventually rolling it out to the entire fleet of 19. This comprehensive solution provided real-time visibility into fleet operations and significantly improved their efficiency. Key features and uses included:
- Real-time fleet tracking: Teletrac Navman’s GPS tracking allowed Virgin Concrete to monitor the exact location of its trucks. This enabled precise scheduling and coordination. Virgin Concrete can also tell its customers exactly where the truck is and when it will reach them.
- Enhanced safety and compliance: The system provided critical data for monitoring driver behaviour, including speed alerts, which helped Virgin Concrete maintain safe driving practices. In one instance, one of its drivers was stopped by the police and his logbook wasn’t up to date. The GPS data helped prove to local police that a driver had taken the required rest break, preventing a potential compliance issue.
- Automated RUC management: Previously, reclaiming RUC for off-road usage was complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive time spent going through logbooks. With Teletrac Navman, Virgin Concrete could easily calculate and submit claims, saving time and money. This was particularly beneficial during an LTSA audit, where the system’s “replay a day” function provided proof of off-road activity.
- Streamlined maintenance scheduling: The system enabled efficient scheduling of vehicle servicing, COFs and registrations. Virgin Concrete no longer had to manually track each vehicle’s needs, reducing the risk of missed maintenance and improving overall fleet reliability.
Results:
Since implementing Teletrac Navman, Virgin Concrete has seen substantial improvements in their operations:
- Increased efficiency: Real-time tracking has allowed Virgin Concrete to get trucks to job sites exactly when they are needed, reducing idle time and ensuring smoother project execution.
- Improved safety and compliance: The ability to monitor driver behaviour and provide proof of compliance has helped maintain safety standards and avoid legal issues.
- Cost savings on RUC: Automating the RUC reclaim process has saved significant administrative time and provided financial benefits by accurately claiming for off-road use.
- Optimised maintenance: The streamlined maintenance scheduling has ensured that all vehicles are serviced on time, reducing unexpected breakdowns and extending vehicle lifespan.
Overall, Teletrac Navman has enhanced the efficiency and safety of Virgin Concrete’s operations and has paid for itself through improved customer satisfaction and operational cost savings.
About Virgin Concrete:
Since 2008, Virgin Concrete has built a reputation for exceptional service and quality. A well-established and respected business within the Whangarei and Northland concrete market, Virgin Concrete specialises in certified normal and special-grade concrete (up to 50MPa) that meets NZS3014 standards. With a fleet of 18 trucks, the company handles projects of all sizes, supplying ready-mix concrete to commercial, residential, industrial and farming projects throughout Whangarei, from the Bay of Islands to Bream Bay and beyond.