On behalf of all of Schooley Mitchell, we’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Matt Denburg on receiving several awards in 2022, including Highest Telecom Implemented Savings, and Highest Billings 2nd Runner Up. Thank you for all your hard work this past year!
Acara Glass & Aluminum LTD is a full service glass and aluminum company specializing in sales, service and installations in and around the province of Saskatchewan. With over 30 years of experience, they have the expertise to produce quality craftsmanship and follow up with the best customer service.
Anyone whose livelihood depends on them being on the road for extended periods knows the costs associated with being away from home can add up quickly. Food, lodging, and especially fuel are significant expenses. Indeed, fuel is the top variable expense for any fleet — often equating to more than 75 percent of a fleet’s variable expenses.
A fleet of 500 vehicles, each driving 24,000 miles per year, accumulates 12 million total miles annually. With numbers this large, even a small change can mean big savings. In fact, if they could reduce their bills by a mere quarter of a cent per mile, this fleet would save $30,000 next year.
Due to the volatile nature of fuel prices, getting your costs as low as they can and keeping them there is very important to any trucking company. Here are some ways you can do just that:
Fuel Management Tools and Cards
Understanding your fueling patterns is important and can allow you to properly address your fuel efficiency. Often paired with traditional electronic logging devices, fuel management software can help you track how fuel is purchased, how to schedule your maintenance, and how to plan the most efficient routes. Plus, you can use them to highlight areas of high fuel consumption or difficult track, as well as fight potential theft.
Fuel cards are also excellent tools to stop abuse in its tracks, allowing managers to track fuel purchases and eliminate non-fuel purchases if they need to. They can even be used to specify the types of fuel drivers can put in their vehicles, cutting fuel costs and saving on maintenance down the line.
Driver Behavior and Practices
There are plenty of ways that a driver can save money on fuel, simply by how they choose to operate the vehicle. Taking advantage of fuel-saving options like cruise control, cutting out unnecessary time spent idling, and reducing top-end speed can all impact your bottom line.
Driver coaching programs can teach your drivers how to avoid jackrabbit starts and anticipate stops in advance. Many companies even provide driver incentive programs to reward those who focus on implementing best practices to cut costs down the line.
Equipment and Proper Maintenance
There are tons of options you can invest in if your goal is to save your fleet cash in the long run. Aerodynamic-focused equipment such as wheel covers, gap reducers, and trailer wings can increase your fuel efficiency at relatively low cost, while a focus on fuel-efficient truck designs, high-efficiency alternators and the latest safety technologies can be more expensive, but even more impactful.
When it comes to regular maintenance, even the simplest checks can help reduce your overall fuel costs. Ensuring you keep accurate tire pressure as well as proper rotation frequency and position on your vehicles reduces the chance of bad tires hurting your fuel economy. Additionally, keeping your air filters clean will both limit exhaust emissions and overall increase your fuel efficiency.
If you’re really looking to save cash on your fuel expenses and you have the time and expertise required, fuel rebates and proper fleet card and service negotiations can grow your bottom line before any of your drivers even turn over the engine.
I recently got my vehicle’s oil changed at locally owned Lubrication Station for the first time. What a great experience! The attendant checked my cabin air filter – no other quick lube shop has ever taken the time to do that. The friendly staff provided valuable insight and did not upsell. I have found my new go to spot!
If you’ve ever had a loved one who needed end-of-life care, then you know how important it is to find a place that offers the compassion and attention needed at this time, and also feels like home. That’s where Crater Community Hospice comes in.
Established in 1995, Crater Community Hospice is a locally owned non-profit organization that provides hospice services to the community of Central Virginia.
Crater Community Hospice’s mission is to educate the community on serious illness and end-of-life concerns as well as provide patients and families with quality care and supportive services.
As Chief Executive Officer, Zach Holt has a passion for helping those who need it.
“Crater has given me the opportunity to do right by the patients. I’m the guy who will look for money so we can spend it on our patients,” he said.
As such, Crater Community Hospice offers various programs unique to the industry, like in-home respite, which is contracted with a third-party company. It also offers music and massage therapy, and support programs for caregivers and family members.
Zach believes that being small gives Crater Community Hospice an advantage. It can make decisions as they go because there is no need to go up the corporate ladder.
His experience comes from working with larger corporate hospices, where there’s always a challenge being able to spend money on patients.
To help with funding, Crater Community Hospice owns two thrift stores, with no personal ownership in the organization so any extra funds go directly toward patient care.
Because Crater Community Hospice recognizes that not everyone can afford quality, comfortable end-of-life care, it will often cover costs for patients who may not have insurance, helping with expensive medications and additional therapies. Patients are never turned away based on their ability to pay.
Zach said, “the reality is that it’s helping that one family that needs our support. Anyone who’s facing end-of-life challenges, they have a lot of questions and need a lot of support.”
Being connected to, and supporting the community is extremely important to Crater Community Hospice. It is involved with We Honor Veterans, where it empowers hospices and community organizations to meet the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families by offering guidance and resources.
Zach also stresses that it’s important to pursue care for your loved one as soon as it is apparent that they are in need of hospice.
“When it comes to contacting hospice, it’s important to not delay the conversation – no one wants to talk about death or dying – but it’s an important conversation to have so don’t hesitate,” he said.
To learn more about hospice care, volunteer opportunities or ways to donate, you can reach Crater Community Hospice by phone (804) 526-4300, email [email protected] online at https://cratercommunityhospice.org/
