construction, Dubai--BETTER FLEET MANAGEMENT CAN SAVE CONSTRUCTION FIRMS MILLIONS OF DIRHAMS, SAY INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Dubai, UAE, 20th October 2010:  UAE and Middle East construction firms still trying to shrug off the effects of the economic downturn can save millions of dirhams through more effective management of their plant and vehicle fleets, an industry expert says.

Australian fleet management specialist and author Grant Andrews warns that fleet managers who focus on delivering results for infrastructure projects often fall into the trap of disregarding fleet operating costs, which can represent up to 30% of the total project outlay.

Andrews will tell fleet managers at the Big 5 PMV exhibition in Dubai next month that they can cut operating costs by up to 10% by implementing procedures which can also lead to big savings in other areas.

“The biggest savings can be made by having more effective management reporting systems which, in turn, can kick-start more efficient asset use and cost savings,” said Andrews, Managing Director of Uniqco International Vehicle Management in Australia. “Savings can also be made by optimizing the use of each plant item and having a carefully managed maintenance and repair process.”

The author of the acknowledged “Best Practice Plant & Vehicle Management Manual”, he teams up with the book’s editor, Ross Moody, to stage one of the key workshops during the Big 5 PMV, taking place at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 22-25.

“We would expect savings in fleet operating costs of between 5-10% when the principles detailed in the key performance indicators are applied,” said Moody, National Executive Officer at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia.

He cited the example of an Australian local government agency client burdened by excessive operating costs for its fleet of 435 plant and vehicles and urgently needing to increase workshop productivity.

A five-year plan developed for all heavy vehicles and mobile plant and equipment, which included process changes and carefully managed fleet size reductions, brought estimated repeat annual savings of USD700,000.

The Big 5 PMV, now in its fourth year, will be staged at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside the Big 5, from 22-25 November, 2010.

The two-day Plant and Vehicle Management Best Practice Workshop will be run on November 23-24 during the Big 5 PMV, organised by Streamline Marketing Group and taking place at The Arena, Sheikh Saeed Halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The workshop covers key areas of fleet management, including calculating the extent that plant, machinery and vehicles are used as well as the most economical time to bring in replacements, preventative maintenance, recording failures, and downtime costs when a vehicle is out of action.

Part of the Big 5, the Middle East’s largest and most influential construction industry event, the Big 5 PMV allows key buyers from across the region and oversees to meet face-to-face with leading manufacturers and suppliers and to experience the latest innovations and technology first-hand.

Source: Resale Weekly