Industry leaders unite to create New Zealand’s first super fleet
Friday, 26 June 2009
One of New Zealand’s most successful companies, PGG Wrightson (PGW), and leading fleet solutions company, FleetPartners, have joined forces to create one of the country’s largest and most efficient fleet partnerships.
Under the new fleet policy, developed in consultation with FleetPartners, PGW will slash its leasing costs by 30 per cent over time, while a move to diesel powered vehicles will see PGW’s carbon emissions reduce by a third.
PGW’s 850-strong vehicle fleet, one of the largest in New Zealand, will also be one of the most fuel efficient, with moves to reduce fuel consumption. By progressively updating the fleet and switching to more fuel efficient vehicles, PGW hopes to reduce its fuel consumption and costs by nearly 30 per cent.
 | Pictured in the photograph is Robert Janssen, PGG Wrightson Fleet Manager and Debbie Phillipson, FleetPartners Fleet Partnership Manager |
PGW’s decision to appoint FleetPartners as its strategic fleet partner was driven by the goal of moving PGW to a “best practice” approach to vehicle acquisition process and fleet management.
“As a company we are always constantly looking at sustainability and operating expenses issues and identified that there was room for improvement in our fleet,” said PGW spokesperson and fleet manager, Robert Janssen.
FleetPartners was appointed to partner with PGW following a competitive bidding process based on their enthusiasm for the PGW business and their ability to deliver a sound commercial solution.
FleetPartners Managing Director, Dennis Kelly, said one of the key challenges of the project was finding a way to streamline the PGW fleet and make it more efficient.
“PGW had over 45 different types of vehicles from a wide selection of different manufacturers. We needed to find a solution to streamline, standardise, reduce cost and lower carbon emissions,” Mr Kelly said.
To achieve this, FleetPartners used their ‘FIT’ model – FleetPartners Integration and Transition Programme. This process offered a consulting service and mapped needs (current and future, taking into consideration internal and external issues). The resulting FleetPartners solution focused on reducing the PGW carbon footprint and emission levels and selecting ‘fit for purpose’, environmentally friendly vehicles.
“An important part of the process was an internal review process across the PGW team that included much consultation and involvement from those who would be impacted by the policy to ensure a smooth transition. The new policy will be implemented in stages and will see staff moved to the new, agreed range of vehicles as existing leases expire,” Mr Kelly said.
In the months since finalising the fleet agreement, PGW has reached the first major project milestone –vehicle selection – and is on its way to achieving what will be one of New Zealand’s most efficient and sustainable fleets.
Mr Kelly says the partnership with PGW set new benchmarks for best practice within New Zealand’s fleet industry.
“Companies in New Zealand are really starting to look at their fleet performance and environmental impact. FleetPartners is committed to working with our clients to help achieve these goals and getting their fleets working more efficiently with less impact on the environment.
Fleets account for around 50% of all new vehicles purchased in New Zealand. As PGW and FleetPartners have shown, it is possible to make a significant positive impact on our environment, yet still make significant cost savings,” Mr Kelly said.
According to Mr Kelly, the role of companies like FleetPartners was changing, with a greater emphasis on strategic partnership between fleet companies and their clients.
“At FleetPartners we partner with clients to achieve integrated fleet outcomes that deliver real bottom-line benefits. Our focus is on strategic, efficient, fleet management, which also encompasses meeting and exceeding environmental targets and building a fleet management solution that is tailored to our client’s needs,” Mr Kelly said.
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