Chasing savings in depot fuel management

S M Davies Transport decided to implement Merridale depot fuel management after its managers visited the Commercial Vehicle Show in 2011. They were looking for an affordable self-serve solution that would work with the existing storage tank and pump dispenser set up at their Welshpool facilities.

“We wanted greater flexibility for fuelling,” explains transport manager, Phil Evans. With our previous set up, a company key-holder had to be present to supervise fuelling and this was becoming inconvenient for drivers that needed to fuel out of normal office hours. In addition to better security, the Merridale Auditor unit has automated the process, enabling drivers to access fuel as required.  The new system has also reduced administrative workload and provided more efficient fuel usage records.

Phil Evans is happy with the support he has received from Merridale,  whenever they have had any queries. Phil runs the back office admin with help from Megan Davies, daughter of the firm’s founder Steve Davies. Meg uses the Merridale FuelSite reports to track usage and for cost accounting.

“Over a fleet of 24 vehicles, we know that at today’s fuel prices, if we can save one mile per gallon on the road, that would be equivalent to the 12 months interest paid on financing a new vehicle.”

Davies Transport provides general haulage for a number of customers, including a long standing account with a local manufacturer of timber based products, distributed nationwide. The company's first diesel storage tank was installed on moving to its current premises 10 years ago. Since then, the transport fleet has grown from six to 24 vehicles, mostly attics and trailers, as the business has developed.

Fleet fuel consumption is currently running at around 50,000 litres a month. External fuelling, using key cards, is kept to a minimum, by specifying long range tanks. The normal routine is for drivers to fill up on return to the depot. In addition to his role as transport manager, Phil Evans is also a qualified HGV driver instructor, so he understands the need for effective fuel management.

Phil Evans continues. “Over a fleet of 24 vehicles, we know that at today’s fuel prices, if we can save one mile per gallon on the road, that would be equivalent to the 12 months interest paid on financing a new vehicle.”

“To do this our fleet is equipped with on-board telematics tracking. This highlights driving style and any issues such as unnecessary idling. These economy performance charts are printed out for the drivers to see and discuss. Anything we can do to save on fuel is beneficial to us and the environment.

“Merridale provides complementary usage reports. We are looking at integrating external fuelling transactions into the Merridale system. We have also made enquiries about updating the system to provide storage tank status and re-order level alerts.”