Posted by Jack Lee
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 08:36
How do you choose the right fuel supplier?
Summer is over. The kids are back in school, vacations are done and with fewer distractions now you can focus on making some improvements to your business.
If you are fuel-reliant this could be the time to find a new supplier. Why? There are a number of reasons. Most companies who upgrade have become tired of the hassles associated with refuelling, like fuel shortages, wasted time and production and all the associated risks.
If you aren’t happy with your current supplier this article will point you in the right direction.
First of all, if you are doing your own fuel acquisition there is a better way. We’ve talked about this before. All the time and hassle compounds your costs giving you your true cost of refuelling.
It is a lot more than the price at the pumps. Is it worth the effort? The best solution is finding the right fuel supplier. But how do you decide?
Here is an easy to follow TEN POINT CHECKLIST to help you make the right decision…
1) Reliability. Does the supplier guarantee fuel delivery regardless of regional fuel shortages? Check their track history.
2) Convenience. Can they deliver 24/7, 365 days a year?
3) Professional staff. Are their people well trained and certified?
4) ISO Certification. Do they adhere to standardized operations and procedures?
5) Service guarantee. Can they grow and adapt with your changing fuel needs?
6) Data capture capabilities. Are they on top of current technology to supply you with detailed fuel data, online reporting, docket review and all the information you need?
7) Reconciliation. Do they have a committed support staff available to answer your questions fast?
8) Theft Prevention. Can the supplier provide anti-theft security, tank monitoring with remote service?
9) Environmentally responsible. How do they ensure safety in the workplace? What is their incident rate? Are they 100% accountable? If a spill occurs will they do the clean up?
10) National network. Are they capable of fleet refuelling between regions with data support for all your equipment and can give you support for business expansion?
Whew, that’s a long list, but if you invest some time now and choose the right fuel supplier you won’t be left high and dry. There will come a day this winter when your competitors are lining up for fuel while you go on with your business.
In fact, if you’ve got the right supplier you won’t even know there’s a problem.
Jack Lee,
President CEO
4Refuel Inc.
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Freight trucking needs fuel economy standards
Freight trucking is a sector that does not have existing fuel economy standards but could benefit significantly from fuel efficiency improvements given the tens of thousands of kilometers and miles each truck travels every year.
This can be done in various ways:
- Reduce engine idle time by not allowing drivers to leave engines running while parked for extended periods
- Reduce congestion by improving highways, if necessary by raising the fuels tax.
- Use more productive truck combinations.
- Support national fuel economy standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks.
- Trade in trucks with low fuel efficiency for those with higher fuel efficiency.
Right now would be a good time for Canadian and US truck and car owners to consider trading in their ten year and older vehicles for one of the new models.
The US “Cash for Clunkers” program was an example of that.
Although its primary purpose was economic stimulus, according to figures released by the Department of Transportation, it will also have real fuel-efficiency benefits:
- The average fuel efficiency of trade-ins was 15.8 mpg.
- The average fuel efficiency of new vehicles purchased was 25.4 mpg.
- 83 percent of the trade-ins were trucks.
- 60 percent of the new vehicles purchased were cars.
By trading up to a more energy-efficient vehicle will have the additional benefit of spewing out fewer carbon emissions into the environment.