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Keeping South Africa's automotive manufacturing and assembly plants suitably stocked with the necessary components is an exacting logistics discipline where any slip-ups could halt production lines, resulting in big money losses to the OEM. Keeping its cross-country freight trucks on schedule, one of SA's leading auto-component logistics companies finds its Fleet Management and vehicle tracking system, an invaluable part of its day-to-day operations.
Paul Collings discovers why.
Based in Rosslyn, north of Pretoria, Consolidated Freight runs a fleet of some 100 vehicles, moving automotive components between Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and Gauteng. "We are essentially a collection and delivery operation servicing several vehicle OEMs in the country including Ford SA, DaimlerChrysler SA and Nissan Diesel amongst others," says Adriaan Theron, operations supervisor at Consolidated Freight. "Our fleet is a combination of short and long haul trucks, from Nissan UD 70s and 80s to Scania and Freightliner interlinks."
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Adriaan Theron receives
an alarm from Digicore on his cell phone. Lucky for Consolidated
Freight, it’s just a call from a Digicore technician servicing a
unit in a Scania located in the yard.
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The company was started in 1999 by managing director Lance Robertson and operations director Jerome Kotze, both of whom have transport and logistics qualifications and a firm belief in the power of hi-technology to enhance business performance.
"We use Digicore's C-track system, which has been a part of our operations since day one," says Theron. "We run it off our own server with terminals in all our five business regions. It is an indispensable operations tool, allowing us to determine real-time vehicle location, monitor driver performance as well as prevent illegal stopping and hijacking of trucks. From a customer service point of view, we are able to deliver precise ETAs (estimated time of arrival) of components we are delivering to OEMs, so important in the vehicle assembly business."
The C-track system also assists in streamlining driver time and attendance. "It really proves its value when it comes to wage queries," adds Theron. "Drivers know and trust the system's accuracy regarding their time spent behind the wheel and at loading depots."
As a planning tool, C-track also helps with vehicle licencing, tyre management and service scheduling, says Theron. "Using the ETA function, coupled with odometer readings and flagging functionality, we can get our vehicles serviced with minimal downtime and licenced in good time."
The company employs over 130 drivers who are as committed to the 48-hour delivery guarantee as management is. "C-track gives us and our drivers peace-of-mind on the long haul trips," Theron says. "It takes 20 hours driving to get to Port Elizabeth but we have a firm rule on drivers resting for 5-6 hours on the trip, stopping only at specific, approved truck stops, something C-track manages for us using ring-fencing technology."
Drivers are equipped with cell phones that act as a complimentary communications tool to C-track, explains Theron. "Whether it's speeding or excessive idling that triggers an alarm SMS on my cell phone, the system provides us with accurate information about the truck and its driver without us having to use voice communications. Having GPRS carry the vital data means we only need to speak to our drivers in emergency or danger situations. Apart from the savings on fuel and maintenance costs, C-track also helps us save on phone calls as well."
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Angeline
Engelbrecht,
Consolidated Freight’s maintenance clerk is adept at navigating
C-track’s functionality. |
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Discipline, trucker style
- Clean rigs help keep a tidy balance sheet at Consolidated
Freight.
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