Shop talk
If you’ve ever wanted to see your name in print, this may be your chance…
Even as I pen this post, I am heroically engaged in wrestling to the mat by deadline a feature article somewhat grandiloquently titled “Rethinking the Shop” that will run as the cover story of our March print edition.
As it happens, once word of this pending piece got out to trucking’s vast supplier community, I was deluged with offers of information and insights from folks marketing everything from shop software to shop equipment. All good, yes, indeed, as have been the referrals to various state-of-the-art shop operations I received from those contacts or chased down on on my own.
But since you can never have too many good ideas, I am welcoming– OK, seeking– any thoughts on what fleets should do to get the most out of their maintenance shop operations.
Got ideas? Get ‘em printed in FleetOwner…
I am particularly interested in ideas offered up by the truck fleet managers and fleet owners reading this as they make up the primary readership of FleetOwner, the Magazine.
So what do you think today’s shop is all about? Is it saving time and motion? Is it the size of bays and the brightness of the lights? How about service pits or lifts–or maybe both? What about software and how much access should techs have to computers? And what about parts? Etc. Etc. Ect.?
You can send me your thoughts on all this via the nifty comment box below this post or if you prefer not to have everyone reading your words before the magazine comes out, send them in an email to: dcullen@fleetowner.com.
To be quoted in the article, you must include your name, company name, your title, and the city/state where your company is based.
I thank everyone in advance for playing, but alas must close with this disclaimer: Submissions will be used based on whether they are any good (per yours truly) and if space–rather limited in the real world of ink on paper!– is permitting.
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Related Topics: Information Technology, Regulation, OEMs, Management, Equipment, Fuel Economy, Running Green, Heavy Trucks, Midrange Trucks, Engines, David Cullen, Emissions, Freight, Light Trucks, Drivers, Trucking
January 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
In my experience when money cuts need to be made they always look to the shop. Where can we save? Where can we cut? So, in generic terms does that mean the shop is about saving money? Of coarse. Companies run their own shops for just that purpose. So in these changing times how should a shop go about doing this exact thing. In my eyes, computers and software programs are the most important tool in the whole picture. Without information, tracking and analysis of the information what do you have? Lost Warranty =Lost Money. Lost Productivity= Lost Money. Lost Parts = Lost Money.
Technicians need to use computer technology to stay sharp and be included in the big picture. Programs like Paccar’s “Connect System” do an excellent job of managing repairs, parts and people. Companies need to implement and stay on top of preventative maintenance programs due to ever changing engine advancements,tire compounds, and electronic upgrades. Other shop upgrades like lifts and pits will need comparisons between money paid and time saved. In these economic times the payoff may not be worth the expense.
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