Automotive fleet management improves efficiency in agribusinesses

We know that preventive vehicle mechanics are more effective than corrective mechanics, because by anticipating a replacement part that would cause a defect, greater damage can be avoided, as this could even compromise other components. With agro-industries, care with the automotive fleet needs to be even more careful, after all, a planter stopped at the beginning of the harvest or a fully loaded truck breaking down in the middle of the field, the damage can be incalculable.

To help in the management of this department that is so important to companies, plants and industries, but which still receives little attention from managers today, GAtec, a consultancy, training, development and systems integration company for the agribusiness, offers consultancy services in which its clients have the opportunity to improve processes. The main objective is to help them get the most out of what their tools offer based on the analysis of performance indicators and reducing fleet repair and maintenance costs.

According to chemical engineer, Carlos César Balbino, specialist maintenance consultant at GAtec, in this type of service, the problems encountered are explained to managers, giving a technical opinion on the importance of each item and suggesting changes in operational procedures that result in confidence. in the indicators. There are also improvements in fleet maintenance contributing to cost reduction, for some cases in the short term and for others in the medium term. “The immediate benefit is the quality of information on performance indicators and maintenance expenses. With good quality information, decision-making regarding fleet maintenance procedures becomes more reliable and efficient”, he adds.

The consultancy process includes all motorized automotive equipment, agricultural and road implements involved in agribusiness operations. In addition, it also includes maintenance areas such as mechanical workshop, washer, oil change station, steering wheel workshop trucks, among others. According to the consultant, this project model is recommended to companies when maintenance management is not obtaining reliable responses from performance and cost indicators or when it detects underutilization of the fleet management system's functionalities.

Standardized units

For the business of a large company as a whole to run well, it is essential that the actions of its subsidiaries are aligned with the metrics of the headquarters. With this objective, an important group from the Uberaba region, in the Minas Gerais triangle, decided to expand the management of its fleet. In 2018, GAtec carried out training and provided automotive consultancy at the Minas Gerais unit.

As a result of the good results, there is now great interest among them in sharing this knowledge in the company's other units. “In a group with several production units, the leadership is interested in standardizing and leveling results, allowing comparisons of fleet performance and repair and maintenance costs”, highlights Balbino.

During this survey of this client's specific data, the consultants understood some conflicting points. After that, they carried out a strategy alignment by selecting some indicators. The survey showed how the system was usable in relation to what GAtec recommended during implementation and good fleet maintenance practices. After recognizing that the results could be improved, the client started to use the indicators as a reference for some areas.

The goals presented by the consultancy were based on the experience of professionals and the results of the sector in general. “The client, after analyzing the results, proposes an adaptation to their reality. Every year the goals are analyzed and if necessary they are adjusted”, reinforces the chemical engineer.

According to the consultant, it is important to emphasize that during this consultancy process the client's management team can and should monitor the indicators that are made available in reports. “The company's management monitors the results in relation to the goals and demands justifications when it receives a low grade. This also generates a type of competition between those responsible for the production units and also generates justifications for investments in improving equipment, processes and training maintenance teams”, concludes the specialist.