BROKERS should encourage their fleet customers to take inspiration from Premier League football clubs for boosting operational performance as it could unlock millions of pounds worth of savings.
It’s an approach taken by Poole-based fleet management provider i247 Group. It recommends its fleet customers embrace a data-led fleet management strategy, mirroring top division clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester City.
According to David Legg, a Director at i247 Group, “Fleets can learn a lot from the Premier League. Over the last decade, fleet data has become infinitely more sophisticated. Part of our fleet management approach is to provide support, a bit like a data coach, so we can help customers interpret their data to make smarter decisions and unlock real efficiencies – from selecting optimal tyres through to predictive maintenance planning.”
Building the right team - smarter vehicle selection
Liverpool FC uses analytics-based recruitment to pinpoint undervalued players with the potential to outperform expectations. i247 Group says brokers can help fleets to do the same. Recent analysis by i247 Group revealed that switching a fleet of 100 electric vans to those with the best total cost of ownership (TCO) could save over £2.5 million in TCO over five years, with no compromise in delivery performance as in the example below.
Van Model | TCO Advantage | Key Strengths |
Vehicle A | ★★★★☆ | Low running costs, strong medium van capability, good range and payload |
Vehicle B | ★★★★☆ | High cargo capacity, strong brand support, good charging infrastructure |
Vehicle C | ★★★☆☆ | Large van format, decent range, competitive pricing
|
Vehicle D | ★★★☆☆ | Reliable, slightly higher upfront cost
|
Vehicle E | ★★☆☆☆ | Premium build, but higher TCO due to servicing and parts costs
|
Fitting the right boots - getting tyre strategy right
Manchester City was among the pioneers in utilising 3D foot scanning technology to ensure perfectly tailored boots that enhance player performance and reduce injury risk. The equivalent for fleets are tyres. The correct tyres on fleet vehicles improve safety and performance and also deliver tangible cost benefits.
Last year, i247 Group identified over £1 million in savings for one customer alone by fitting optimal tyres based on its fleet data profile.
Movement optimisation
Almost all Premier League clubs now track every movement on the pitch using GPS tracking and aerial camera technology – with clubs like Leicester City among the early adopters. Similarly, fleets can harness real-time and historical telematic data to optimise routes and drive efficiencies.
Data is fast becoming the defining factor in fleet performance according to i247 Group.
“Like elite football clubs, successful fleets of the future will be those that act on insight, not instinct.”
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Sarah Tooze has been an automotive journalist for more than 15 years, specialising in the fleet and transport sectors. She has held senior positions at industry-leading B2B titles Fleet News and Smart Transport, and led campaigns championing motorists as consumer editor for online used car marketplace Heycar and motoring advice website HonestJohn.co.uk. In 2017 she won the Newspress Automotive Business Journalist award.
