Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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Sponsored information by Shell Rotella® MAINTENANCE MATTERS Q&A WITH BUD BAILEY, DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE FOR MARTIN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS B ud Bailey, Director of Maintenance for Martin Transportation Services located in Byron Center, Michigan, has been in the maintenance business since 1970 and with MTS for 12 years. He manages the 650-truck fleet's 11 terminals and 87 mechanics and says the profession is like a puzzle you are always putting together and taking apart. "The biggest variable is how the driver influences fuel economy. We track every aspect of the process in order to constantly improve the bottom line. Our driver reward program has made a huge difference in motivating best driving practices," Bailey says. How do you manage fuel economy for your drivers? First, you have to track the data. We receive extensive driver information that allows us to track everything a driver does to influence fuel economy. Once you have the information, you can manage it. How do you motivate drivers to drive more fuel efficiently? We started a fuel bonus program last year to encourage drivers to keep reasonable speeds and idle times. Drivers have to get over 6.5 mpg and less than 40 percent idle time to qualify and are rewarded an additional $100 a month bonus. ShellAdvertorial_CCJ0313_PG031.indd 1 What have the results been? Idle times have dropped immensely and we've seen an increase in fuelefficient driving. What are the top fuel saving tips you emphasize for drivers? We coach them to choose progressive shifting and patient driving. They check tire pressure on their pre-trip inspections and work to reduce idling time on every trip. How do you handle the less efficient drivers? We retrain drivers by pairing them with more efficient drivers who can show them how to reduce their rpm's, idle time and model patient driving. We use data from our satellite partner to exactly pinpoint the drivers who qualify for the bonus and those who need more training. How does Shell Rotella® help you run an efficient maintenance program? We use the Shell Rotella T5 10w30 engine oil to protect and provide durability for our hard-running fleet. Rotella T is a good durable reliable product that has been in the Shell family for as long as I can remember and is a very good value for the price. We depend on Spirax Driveline lubricants to protect the transmissions and axles and have used this product in units that ran over a million miles with no other repair done to them except changing the oil at 500,000 miles. 2/22/13 1:33 PM