Chosen strategy

Choosing the right repair and maintenance (R&M) solution for an operator’s fleet is a crucial decision to get right, and remains a moot point for them, as our survey reveals.

Two-thirds of operators taking part in our survey preferred to outsource R&M work – 35% to a main dealership and 31% to a third-party workshop – whereas 31% keep maintenance in-house, and the rest a mixture of approaches.

There were noticeable differences in approach between third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and own-account operators. Some 26% of 3PLs

Primary method for repair and maintenance of fleet

31%

In-house R&M facility

Outsource to main dealership

35% 35% 31%

22%

Outsource to third-party provider

3% 1%

Other

42%

2022 2021

have in-house R&M facilities compared with 32% of own-account operators. Of the threequarters of 3PLs that preferred to outsource, this was evenly split between main dealerships at 37% and independent garages at 36%. Ownaccount operators outsourcing were more likely to opt for a main dealership (41%) over a third party workshop (32%).

The survey also suggested that larger fleets were more likely to have an in-house workshop function, with 39% of those running 50-plus trucks opting to do so compared with only 28% of those running between one and 50 vehicles.

When it comes to sourcing and purchasing spare parts for fleets, just under half (46%) of operators went directly to a manufacturer, with a third preferring to use third-party suppliers.

In a question posed by sponsor Jaama, respondents were asked what they found the most time-consuming area when it came to R&M: document management (31%) and scheduling of maintenance (30%) topped the list of functions cited by operators, followed by 18% suggesting capturing of defects being the most time-consuming.

Method of most frequently sourcing parts and supplies

Direct from manufacturer/vendor Direct from third-party supplier Website (commercialmotor. com; eBay; Gumtree etc) Other

Not applicable/ we do not source parts

4% 3% 3% 3%

7% 14% 33%

2022 2021

41% 46% 46%

0 10 20 30 40 50

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