Fleet or transport managers have the task of making sure that all vehicles are looked after so that they are safe and clean for the drivers and public. Regular procedures are put in place as a prevention programme to ensure that vehicles are in top condition. Part of this process includes regular fleet cleans that contribute to the lifespan of the vehicle. This activity can be either outsourced to a third party, completed inhouse or a combination of both.
Depending on a variety of factors, you may decide that you want to hire another company to take care of the cleaning responsibility, or you may wish to take the job on yourself. Before making this decision it’s important to look at the picture as a whole.
A few questions you should ask yourself before making your decision are….
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Can you afford it?
You should take into consideration how large the company is and how many vehicles there are in total. This will allow you to estimate whether it will be worth investing money into all the equipment and staff needed for the process. The equipment is rather expensive but can save you lots of money in the long run if it suits your business size. In contrast, if you have calculated your costs and find that an inhouse fleet cleaning system doesn’t benefit you financially, hiring out a fleet cleaning service can be beneficial as you don’t have to invest in all the expensive equipment. Fleet cleaning companies already have all the equipment and as it is their core business, they are able to provide you with great prices.
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Do you have time?
Fleet cleaning takes up a substantial amount of time to manage. Depending on how busy your staff are, you would need to schedule time out of the core of the business activities and invest it in the maintenance of your fleet. In house fleet cleaning is a great option if you have the time and the additional work won’t affect your employees. If employees are overloaded with work, it could affect productivity levels or result in poor cleaning habits that could leave your vehicles worse off. Having an external party handle your fleet cleaning would mean that more time can be consumed in the business and your vehicles will be left squeaky clean every time.
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Who will be taking on the task?
It’s important to have a team in place that will handle the physical aspect of cleaning each vehicle. In house management can either employ more individuals or add to the current employee’s task list. Either one will require more time and finances as more work will need to be handled. Expanding a team can also lead to more payroll expenses, so make sure you figure out whether you will be able to afford the employee benefits for all your workers. If you’re hiring out fleet cleaning services, they will be in charge of dealing with their employees which will take some stress of your hands.
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How experienced is the team?
Fleet cleaning is not as simple as cleaning a car. There are procedures put in place, special equipment and chemicals used in the process. If not carried out correctly it can lead to more damage in the long run. In house management would mean that training would need to be scheduled in so that all the staff understand all the technicalities. Outsourcing your fleet clean would mean that you let the professionals do their work, which will ensure that the job gets done properly every time.
If you’re interested in hiring out a team to help you with your fleet cleaning maintenance, get in contact with SSC on 01923549029 for a quote. We are specialists in mobile fleet cleaning and cover areas in South East England such as Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire as well as South Oxfordshire.