Food Logistics

JAN-FEB 2015

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

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www.foodlogistics.com FOOD LOGISTICS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 31 lenge with 89 percent claiming the average age of their driving force is over 40 years old, and 11 percent are over 50 years old, on average." Langley also observes that, "In 2014, dedicat- ed/private fleet tractor costs per mile averaged $.11—a penny less than that of over-the-road trucking fleets. Overall, fleet ages appear to be trending downwards somewhat as organizations look to benefit more from warranties in a mar- ket of rising expenses. However, over 73 percent of organizations report visibility to fleet mainte- nance information is not comprehensive." On a more positive note, "In the realm of fuel management, the majority of fleets are running between 6 and 7 miles per gallon, but almost 19 percent are now achieving over 7 miles per gallon in fuel economy. Contributors to the improvements are 81 percent of fleets leveraging idle reduction technologies and other fuel saving measures, while stories of leverag- ing analytics to alter new equipment specs and achieve 1 to 2 miles more per gallon are getting more attention," says Langley. Raymond Zujus, business development for food and beverage at Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based Telogis, also mentions the impact of market- place trends. "The explosion of new food and beverage products and innovative packaging is affecting the business in many areas. Most notably, more complex orders and heightened customer expec- tations around service quality and responsive- ness are driving up delivery costs to record-high levels, while eroding productivity." The result is that "companies are being chal- lenged to find ways to meet—and exceed— these expectations and still maintain profitabil- ity," says Zujus. "More often, they are turning to connected technology for answers. Connected solutions provide visibility to fleet performance and asset utilization, accountability to driver performance and driving habits, and real-time knowledge sharing between drivers, managers, sales, mer- chandisers and customers, enabling operators to see where the opportunities are and where to focus improvement efforts. Leveraging connect- ed technology and intelligent location, there are unlimited opportunities to reduce miles, man- age engine idling, route more efficiently, elimi- nate wasted time, reduce redundant tasks, and decrease accidents and related insurance costs." Zujus also says more companies are begin- ning to explore different vehicle designs and applications as a way to gain flexibility and ver- satility in their fleets and still meet government guidelines and environmental standards. Admittedly, "These vehicles can be more expensive, as well as complex, and it is the wise fleet manager who understands that diligent monitoring and maintenance is the key to get- ting the most value from them," he says. "Many of the manufacturers that provide vehicles to this business—Isuzu, Hino, Freightliner and Volvo—have partnered with Telogis to provide connected intelligence from the factory than can be 'turned on' in an instant and provide detailed information and diagnostics. Real-time alerts empower fleet managers to assess a vehicle's problem, repair it and get it back on the road as soon as possible." The responses Isuzu's Brian Tabel, director of marketing at Anaheim, Calif.-based Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., would likely agree that the latest vehicle designs and capabilities offer multiple benefits to fleet managers. "We continue to see customers right siz- ing their trucks to have the correct truck for the route, and in some cases that means moving up in class or moving down in class." For example, "The Isuzu N-Series diesel trucks come standard with an on-board health report, which an Isuzu dealer can review for fuel economy, braking, accelera- tion and a number of other important items that can lower the total cost of ownership." Fortunately, there are financing options that Save-A-Load ® "IQR 200" BAR 800-728-5623 www.saveaload.com World's BEST Load Bars The load bar preferred by the foodservice industry Custom sizes and colors now available. • 8.8 lbs. — lightest and strongest available • Hydraulics tested over 30,000 uses • No trailer damage • Will not freeze up • Safe & easy to use Visit our booth #126 at IFDA Conference in Indianapolis Oct. 21-23

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