Food Logistics

NOV-DEC 2013

Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.

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customer delivery and a modern, efficient trucking fleet makes that possible. • Capitalizing on the latest technology. One reason FSL companies can offer an efficient fleet is because they regularly update the types, ages and specs of the vehicles. Leasing companies try to balance out the vehicle mix so that they have a proportionate number of new and late model used vehicles, which can provide flexibility to a lessee. A customer might want to try out leasing for a short term and in that case, it might make more financial sense to choose a late model used vehicle before committing to a long-term lease arrangement. Because leasing companies are always balancing their fleet mix, they usually have strong relationships with vehicle and engine manufacturers and therefore, the best access to the newest technologies. Many of these upgraded features are enabling trucks to save fuel and decrease costly downtime, using such technologies as remote diagnostics and telematics. These features enable trucks to "talk" to service managers and diagnose problems before they get worse or before the vehicle enters the shop for repair. Some safety advancements, such as advance colli- sion avoidance systems or anti-rollover brake systems, are often available on leased vehicles, as well. • Avoiding maintenance headaches. One of the biggest reasons more companies are turning to the FSL option is to avoid the compliance headaches associated with CSA (the federal Compliance, Safety, Accountability program), or the latest hours-of-service regulations that came into effect in 2013, which also affects vehicle maintenance as well as drivers. In addition, many companies can no longer support the expensive infrastructure necessary for a maintenance shop, including staffing it with technicians, keeping it stocked with needed parts, and staying abreast of the latest technology. No company in the food supply chain can afford having idle or inoperable vehicles or missed deliveries. A regularly scheduled preventive maintenance program keeps this situation to a minimum. And while trucks are on the road, a FSL arrangement provides breakdown service and roadside repair when necessary to keep businesses rolling. • Easy access to rental vehicles. Most FSL companies maintain a rental fleet of substitute vehicles to fill in for leased vehicles under repair or to supplement its core leased fleet. This is particularly advantageous in the food industry, which typically has variations in demand patterns, with peak seasons occurring several times a year. In this scenario, lessees can lease a fleet of vehicles at the minimum, "water-line" level, but still have easy access to rental vehicles, usually available for just a small premium to lease rates. • Purchasing power of a larger company. Small- to medium-sized fleets typically lack the purchasing leverage of larger fleets when it comes to procuring parts and supplies. FSL companies, though, often operate as part of a larger organization that leverages the substantial purchasing power created by the combined fleets that make up the network. To the lessee, this means more competitive pricing on parts, all aspects of lifecycle maintenance, warranty recovery, and even fuel, since many leasing companies purchase fuel in large quantities and pass savings along to their customers. • Budgeting and financing advantage. Among the top reasons why businesses consider leasing is that it provides an alternative form of financing the equipment they need. With capital being a limited resource, the investment needed for equipment is huge. Those funds often can earn a better return in another investment vehicle vs. spending upwards of $110,000 for a day cab or $115,000 to $130,000 for a sleeper tractor. The leasing entity assumes the market risk of the asset, leaving the lessee off the hook if there are fluctuations affecting the resale value of the equipment as it ages and depreciates. Rather than apply working capital to the purchase of vehicles, or tie it up in long-term loans that reduce borrowing reserves, an FSL agreement allows customers to put their money to work towards their core businesses. With an FSL, or a finance lease co-joined with programmed maintenance, the business owner knows their exact monthly transportation expenses, which is a considerable budgeting and bookkeeping advantage. Furthermore, an FSL firm stays on top of tax changes and understands their impact on vehicle replacement and lease vs. buy decisions. Finally, FSL companies are at the forefront of providing the most technologically advanced vehicles currently available, which is increasingly important when assuring food safety from farm to fork. ◆ Joseph Gallick is Vice President of Dedicated Services for NationaLease, the North American organization of full service truck leasing companies, online at www.nationalease.com. 48 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com

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