How trailer telematics fuel efficiency and sustainability at Pultrum
How trailer telematics fuel efficiency and sustainability at Pultrum
Imagine you could save 1 minute per day per trailer while enhancing customer services, fleet performance and road safety? With a fleet of 340 trailers the Dutch logistics expert Pultrum saves up to 6 hours per day! This is one of the many benefits Pultrum is enjoying since integrating ZF's trailer telematic solutions with a Battery trailer management system. In fact, the solution has become simply indispensable for the Dutch carrier.
From The Netherlands to every corner of Europe, Pultrum delivers top-notch logistics services, spanning general cargo to exceptional transport and construction logistics. Whatever the job, Pultrum ensures high-quality logistics, with a focus on customer service, transparency, and sustainability. While their roots go back to 1963, Pultrum has its eye on the future. The company’s dedication to sustainability and continuous investment in technology earned them the prestigious Lean & Green star in 2016.
Integration and continuity
That’s why, in 2021, Pultrum decided to digitize their trailers. As a long-term WABCO customer and a ZF-Transics customer since 2019, they promptly turned to ZF''s trailer telematic solutions. “We love ZF WABCO’s Trailer Electronically controlled Braking system (EBS),” says Bertus Wichers, Transport Material and Workshop Manager, MT member, “and wanted to use that as a hub. ZF’s trailer telematic solutions seamlessly integrate into that trailer platform. Moreover, ZF is a market leader, which ensures continuity: we are confident that they will continue to support our solutions for many years to come. That’s a key argument for us."
4 crystal-clear benefits
A three-month pilot of ZF's trailer telematic solutions with a rechargeable battery confirmed Pultrum’s initial trust in the trailer management solution. The battery-powered version of the device proved easy to install, with just a few cables, and connecting it with Pultrum’s trailer EBS systems and many sensors was a breeze. Most notably, Pultrum witnessed the swift resolution of all their existing challenges.
Here are four ways Pultrum benefits from the trailer telematics solution, including EBS data, engine hours for shifts, GPS, and tire pressure monitoring features:
- Improved planning and decision-making: thanks to access to real-time, accurate GPS data, Pultrum can now pinpoint the exact location of every asset. Moreover, Pultrum also connected the system to MS Power BI. The information helps optimize their planning process, including charter rides, and maximize the utilization of their trailers. This optimization not only helps to cut costs but also reduces the overall distance traveled.
- Enhanced customer experience: As Pultrum exactly knows the whereabouts of every trailer, they can minimize delivery times, reduce downtime, and inform clients of the estimated time of arrival.
- Fleet performance optimization: The workshop gets real-time insights into engine hours, shifts, and TPMS (tire pressure monitoring). The up-to-date view on the performance and health of the trailers helps them to efficiently schedule maintenance and repairs and thus optimize trailer usage and reduce maintenance costs.
- Increased safety: The telematics data can help identify potential safety issues and reduce the risk of accidents and incidents involving trailers.
Time and cost savings explained
“From management to dispatchers, workshop personnel, and drivers; everybody is very enthusiastic about ZF's trailer telematic solutions because of all the benefits,” says Ate Pultrum, CEO.
He illustrates a series of tangible benefits: “By optimizing planning and fleet performance, we save 1 minute a day per trailer. With 340 trailers in our fleet, that’s 340 minutes or almost 6 hours in total. That’s impressive. More than trimming maintenance and fuel costs, we also expect to be able to reduce our capital investments in new trailers. Because we now know exactly where every trailer is located, it’s easier to raise the fleet utilization rate too! Overall, the system has become indispensable.”
“From management to dispatchers, workshop personnel, and drivers; everybody is very enthusiastic about ZF's trailer telematic solutions because of all the benefits.”
Supporting Pultrum’s sustainability strategy
Last but not least, Pultrum is happy to see that ZF’s trailer telematics also supports their ambitious sustainability strategy. Our solutions are another step-up in fleet digitization: Pultrum now uses digital consignment notes, which helps them save paper too. More importantly, by optimizing fleet utilization, Pultrum can cut the number of kilometers driven, which reduces CO2 emissions.
“Pultrum believes that sustainable business is good business. We have a responsibility towards future generations, and we recognize the increasing importance customers and employees place on sustainable business practices.
“We’ve been investing in sustainable solutions for over 10 years now and we’re happy to see how ZF’s trailer telematics support our commitment.”
Jille Pultrum, co-owner, Pultrum