United Utilities has revealed how it’s overhauled its SMR procedures with the help of telematics data provided by Vodafone Business Fleet Analytics and powered by GBFE 2023 and 2024 exhibitor Geotab.
The group, which manages the regulated water and waste water network in North West England, has moved away from a costly reactive maintenance model and is now using a predictive maintenance solution with real-time vehicle diagnostics for its entire 2,300+ vehicle fleet.
In Geotab’s second Brunch Hub, held in September, United Utilities shared how it’s targeting a 20% reduction in repair costs and vehicle downtime from the new solution.
As revealed in a blog here, United Utilities has installed Geotab’s GO9 devices in all its cars, LCVs and HGVs and is using MyGeotab fleet maintenance software to monitor live vehicle health. Real-time vehicle diagnostics insights are now sent straight to United Utilities’ maintenance garages, potentially saving substantial costs that would have arisen from vehicle downtime and third-party contractor services.
United Utilities is also taking the solution beyond road vehicles, implementing GO9 Rugged into 40 JCB Telehandlers and Tractors to better utilise assets and spread operational wear across the fleet.
The move from a reactive to a predictive maintenance programme means United Utilities is now able to monitor vehicles in real-time and make informed decisions to resolve problems before they happen. It’s able to implement proactive maintenance based on engine hours, improve its operator defect process, get real-time visibility on fault codes and receive instant high-temperature alerts. This proactive approach not only improves safety but also ensures that spending on repairs is planned and budgeted for. And it avoids customer impact due to missed jobs. Meanwhile, its drivers can now rely on their vehicles with confidence.
Carl Doyle, green fleet business lead at United Utilities, said: “This was another great brunch session, hosted by Geotab. The operational and financial savings related to implementing a predictive maintenance schedule are considerable and I enjoyed sharing the strategies we’re implementing with the support of Geotab’s fleet management platform. It was also great to learn how other fleet operators are using the platform.”
Geotab’s next Brunch Hub event will bring further insights on how businesses are seeing major benefits from fleet management and will share best practices to solve some of the greatest challenges facing the UK fleet industry.
To register your interest in the next event, click here.
