Fleet Management Consulting: The Power of People + Meaningful Data

Fleet Consulting

A true partner to tackle your key challenges

The Merchants Fleet consulting team combines industry experience, analytical skills, big data, and the latest fleet technologies to provide tailored solutions across the entire fleet lifecycle. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, improve efficiency, enhance corporate sustainability, upgrade your fleet policies, or improve driver behavior, we are ready to devise the most effective strategies to meet your goals.

Industry Leading Expertise for Deeper Insights

Our fleet management consultants average over a decade of experience in the fleet industry, and utilize deep industry knowledge to identify critical factors that will have the greatest impact on your fleet operations.

Depending on your fleet and business goals, we will provide a tailored selection of the following fleet consulting services:

  • Benchmark Analyses
  • Electric Vehicle Analyses
  • Fuel Cost and Price Predictions
  • Lifecycle Optimization
  • Business Scorecard Processes
  • Budgeting and Finance
  • Driver Behavior Analyses
  • Total Cost of Ownership Analyses
  • Asset Management Optimization
  • Alternative Fuel Analyses
  • Preventative and Non-Preventative Maintenance Predictions

Big Data & Fleet Technology

Using TotalView fleet management software, insights from existing clients, telematics, third-party sources, and other reporting avenues, our consultants put big data to work to help our clients better manage their fleets.

TotalView equips us with real-time, actionable, fleet data, presented visually for sharp analyses. Before recommending a more cost-effective fleet management solution, we evaluate advanced analytics and data relating to your:

  • Fuel Spend
  • Trip Data
  • Driver Behaviors
  • Maintenance Trends
  • Vehicle-Specific Details

Our fleet consultants are focused on thoroughly understanding your fleet, processes, and organizational culture to make tailored recommendations that take the broader context of your business into account. By pairing data with experience and a collaborative, client-centered approach, we can help make a significant impact on your fleet operations and your bottom line.

Cost Savings from Fleet Consulting

With telematics, we are able to create a Fleet Scorecard, which is a business review of your fleet and driver performance.

While reviewing your Fleet Scorecards and quantifying goals on an annual basis and by cost-per-mile, we determine exactly where your business can save on maintenance, fuel, and vehicle costs.

Our Fleet Scorecards have been proven to lead to significant cost savings. In one instance, they resulted in a 10% overall improvement in driver behavior and a 15% decrease in accidents.

3-Step Fleet Consulting Process

Step 1: Research and Analyze

First, our fleet consultants begin by reviewing:

  • Lifecycle Cost Analyses
  • Vehicle Optimization
  • Fleet Cycling and Replacement Strategies
  • Resale Market Optimization
  • Safety Best Practices

With data from TotalView, we work with you to identify opportunities for improvement and use predictive analytics to deliver data-driven solutions that lead to meaningful change.

Step 2: Develop and Implement Strategies

Once we have discussed opportunities and a tailored strategy is in place, we provide tools to monitor and manage fleet costs and trends. Our consultants use Fleet Scorecards to examine fleet costs and performance throughout the lifecycle of your vehicles, along with industry knowledge to deliver actionable information and targeted recommendations for improvement. We analyze major fleet costs, performance, behaviors, and sustainability goals to create benchmarks and target new opportunities.

Step 3: Continually Optimize

Strategic fleet consulting is an ongoing, collaborative process. Our consultants will continually work with you to ensure that your goals are achieved and gains are maintained over time. We will work with you to maintain an open dialogue about your fleet strategy, and we will examine your fleet’s performance at a regular interval that makes sense for your business — quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

We then offer proactive recommendations to drive continuous improvement, best practices, and superior performance. Together, we will help keep your vehicles and drivers operating at maximum performance while lowering your total cost of ownership.

“Since partnering with Merchants Fleet last year, their professional team members have provided excellent service and offered innovative solutions to address our unique needs.  Merchants has proven to be a top-tier fleet management company, exceeding our expectations on all levels.”

Jim Collins
Support Services Manager, Royal Cup Coffee

“My experience has been one of overwhelming delight. Merchants facilitates the expansion of Novus Ag business possibilities with their experienced professional staff by engaging in supporting activities. Allowing Novus Ag to lease short term vehicles while factory ordering enables us to save tens of thousands while immediately placing the employee in a high-quality truck. From permitting Novus to lease agricultural, material handling assets, to fuel and maintenance programs, we consider them a valuable partner.”

Michael Gates
Corporate Services - Fleet, Novus Ag, LLC

“Floor Coverings International is proud to partner with Merchants Fleet.  Their responsiveness and consultative approach has been beneficial to us and our franchise partners.”

Neil Daley
Director of Merchandising, Floor Coverings International

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you pick up the vehicles?

Yes. Our team will arrange the pickup and transportation of your vehicles.

What is included in your fleet remarketing services?

We take over all risk and handle the entire process for you, including, market research and outreach, resale strategies, pricing and transfer of ownership. There are certain fees associated with our OpenTrac third-party remarketing option. Under GuaranteeTRAC, all fees are covered by Merchants Fleet.

How long does the fleet vehicle remarketing process take?

With our GuaranteeTRAC fleet remarketing program, you can receive payment for your vehicles in less than one business week. Our OpenTRAC program can take a few extra days (vehicles sell in an average of 18 days), but will give you the highest return for your vehicles.

What if I want to extend the term on my vehicle?

If you need to extend the term on your vehicle, you have options! We offer month-to-month terms if you need to extend for a short period, or you also have the option to change your vehicle over to a long-term lease if you need a more permanent arrangement.

Do I need to purchase insurance for my delivery vehicles?

Yes. Our vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.

How do I return the vehicles at the end of my contract?

We will arrange for the transportation of your vehicle when you are ready to return them. When you are approaching the end of your contract, please notify your Merchants account manager via phone or email correspondence at least 7 days prior to your anticipated end date. This allows our logistics team to arrange and schedule the pickup, and transport of your vans from where they are located.
You will need to remove all magnets, stickers, or other cosmetic changes made to the vehicle, sweep the cargo area and cabin, and clean out any trash from the inside of the van. You will also need to complete a digital condition report prior to releasing your vehicles to the transporter.

Did you know that light trucks typically spend 12% of their operation time idling?

Let the Merchants Fleet strategic consulting team find opportunities to drive meaningful change for your fleet.

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