What a Fleet Should Look for in a Fleet Management Company

By Bryan Steele

While there are many factors to consider when your company is looking for the right fleet management partner, the key component is ensuring they have the capability to provide the services you require and the financial stability to fund your vehicles. However, there are many other elements to take into account, such as offering:

• A variety of innovative leasing, funding and acquisition options 
• The ability to provide, understand and measure your costs using analytics – and then from this, provide proactive cost saving and process improvement recommendations 
  
• Flexibility and agility, specifically in regard to funding and the ability to offer services a la carte 
• Responsiveness to requests and issues in a timely manner
• A trained, certified and dedicated account management team – CAFMs on staff are always a plus
• The use of online fleet management tools to promote efficient operations 
• Consultation on your fleet policy in order to create a cohesive risk mitigation policy 
• Expertise in vehicle upfitting in order to spec a vehicle that’s right for the required work application 
• The financial stability and resources to absorb additional vehicles from a company merger or acquisition
• A global footprint in order to provide fleet management to multi-national companies 
• Strategic planning that entails understanding your company’s key objectives and partners with you to meet your milestone objectives 
• A "green" program to help you track, trend and reduce carbon emissions 
• The ability to present your true total cost of ownership through data flow and data integration from multiple sources 
• A solid and consistent track record with remarketing performance 
• A live call center available 24/7/365 to quickly respond to your drivers' needs 
• A staff of experienced and knowledgeable maintenance and repair technicians that negotiate with vendors to actively avoid unnecessary costs 
• Different degrees of support, such as a driver contact center 
• An easy transition process

Bryan Steele serves as national vice president, client relations, for LeasePlan USA , a leading fleet and vehicle management company. As a subsidiary of LeasePlan Corp. N.V. with offices in 30 countries around the world, multi-national companies can easily manage their fleet on a global level through LeasePlan. LeasePlan offers a broad range of vehicle acquisition options including open-end leasing, closed-end leasing, purchase and disposal and a budgeted lease/maintenance product. The company also offers a comprehensive suite of fleet management services such as maintenance and repair management, accident management, fuel, emergency roadside services, license and title, remarketing and more. To complement its service offerings, LeasePlan provides clients with access to ePlan®, an online fleet management tool, developed with strategic and tactical management capabilities to increase the efficiencies of corporate fleets. Each client is supported by a dedicated account management team that utilizes a multi-layer team approach to make sure clients are always taken care of.

National Conference of State Fleet Administrators To Co-Locate Annual Conference With NAFA in 2011

The National Conference of State Fleet Administrators (NCSFA) is proud to announce that it will co-locate its annual conference with the NAFA 2011 Institute & Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina.

NCSFA recently cancelled its 2010 conference due to the downturn in the nation’s economy and the related travel restrictions placed on state government attendees.

"For over twenty-five years NCSFA provided a unique forum where state fleet administrators could network and share best management practices," said Chris Hoffman, CAFM, NCSFA President and Transportation Manager for the Oklahoma State University. "By partnering with NAFA and joining their annual event, NCSFA can be a part of the largest fleet gathering in the world and provide our members with even more value than before."

NAFA’s 2011 Institute & Expo (I&E) takes place April 9-12, 2011 at the Charlotte Convention Center. I&E is regularly attended by nearly 2,000 fleet professionals and features more than 60 hours of education and training, abundant networking and social opportunities, and an exhibit floor unmatched in the industry in both size and scope. "We are very pleased to welcome NCSFA into NAFA’s big tent," said Chris Amos, CAFM, NAFA President and Commissioner of Equipment Services for the City of Saint Louis, Missouri. "I&E has something for everyone, regardless of the type of fleet you manage or who you manage it for, so NCSFA will fit very naturally. I hope we can grow this partnership into a long-lasting tradition."

Kbb.com Editors Detail 'First to Worst' as They Rank Five Full-Size New Pickup Trucks

The Ford F-150 took the top spot in an all-new full-size pickup comparison test, 'First to Worst: Kbb.com Ranks Five Full-Size Pickups,' by the expert editors from Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information. The kbb.com editors lauded the F-150 not only because it was outstanding in all areas, but because it offered a well-rounded, thoroughly developed package that does everything to a high standard, saying "If you can't find something here to suit your fancy, you need to look again." In addition to winning high marks in driving dynamics due to its enhanced level of ride and handling, the kbb.com editors praised the F-150 for both its exterior and interior styling, noting that it strikes "a nice blend of the style and function that should define a pickup." The F-150 also scored well because it is the only pickup in the segment to offer Roll Stability Control as standard, coupled with its AdvanceTrac electronic stability control. Read more