GE has announced a $10-million investment to help trucking firms analyze and better control their maintenance cost on leased and customer-owned trailers. The news came during the American Trucking Associations annual Management Exhibition & Conference,
held this week near Dallas.
“Trailer Maintenance is a crucial yet controllable variable cost,” said Joe Artuso, CEO of GE’s Trailer Fleet Services business, “but you can’t manage what you don’t know. With the help of feedback from our customers and the latest technology, we have made a serious investment in our 100 branches in North America. This will give trucking companies better access to their maintenance cost data, tools to analyze it, and practical help in resolving long-standing issues that drive higher cost.”
To create this new maintenance cost control model, GE has made major financial investments in technology, mechanic recruiting and training, and core business process improvements.
The largest investment by GE has been in technology systems. During 2006, GE has increased network bandwidth across its entire branch infrastructure, installed hundreds of new computers and peripherals, and erected local wireless networks. The technology supports the deployment of a new software-loaded handheld device from Symbol Technologies that will be used by all GE trailer mechanics to gather and transmit – almost in real-time – repair data, photographs of damage, and even billing approval requests to customers. The device will be used both in the branch yard and out on the road at customer sites with GE’s Mobile Maintenance Service vans.
“Technology is terrific, but accurate analysis starts with the collection of data in real-time out in the field,” Artuso noted. “Skilled and dedicated mechanics are key. A career with GE as a trailer mechanic can be rewarding and fulfilling for the right individual, and we’re proud of the team we have and the opportunities we provide them.”
GE launched a national recruiting program for qualified trailer mechanics in August, and has announced the founding of GE Trailer Mechanic University, a multi-level training program to support ongoing mechanic retention, skills, and career paths. All GE branches have counter card information with mechanic employment detail, and branch managers are invited to speak at local school career fairs. GE’s website also has a special page and video devoted to trailer mechanics at www.trailerservices.com/mechanics.
Finally, GE has used feedback from its Client Advisory Board, a small group of strategic customers, to improve nearly every business process that supports maintenance analytics. This includes inbound and outbound inspections, billing processes, and consistent rate setting and other practices across the GE branch network.
“When our plan is fully implemented, the combination of skilled mechanics, accurate and real-time data, faster cycle times and new analytical tools will be a powerful tool for our customers to better understand their maintenance spend,” Artuso added. “Armed with reliable and dependable knowledge, they can then make the decisions necessary to manage their costs and optimize their fleet.”