Balancing Fleet Maintenance – In-House vs Outsource

For large vocational fleet operators, there is often a consideration as to whether it is more beneficial to leverage external vendors to support their fleet maintenance or if they should invest in an in-house repair facility. As fleet operators navigate this choice, there are a variety of factors to consider – capacity, capability, and infrastructure, etc. – and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for this complex decision.

In a recent article from Utility Fleet Professional, Holman’s Dave Broadwater explored the topic and offered his advice for determining whether outsourced maintenance, an in-house repair facility, or a combination of both, is the best strategy for your fleet. In the article, Dave noted that capacity – both in terms of technicians and vehicles – is one of the key factors to consider .

Dave also explained that technician expertise and training is another critical factor in the equation. He further pointed out the importance of having a facility that is capable of supporting the needs of your fleet operations, which is often the biggest challenge for those considering an in-house maintenance solution.

To close out the article, Dave shared that outsourcing fleet maintenance to an external, national account vendor allows fleet mangers to focus on strategic initiatives that make a meaningful contribution to the success of their business rather than dealing with the day-to-day administration of operating an in-house facility. Through strong, strategic partnerships, your maintenance vendors become familiar with your vehicles and operating parameters, helping get vehicles back on the road quickly to minimize downtime.

To read the entire article, please visit UtilityFleetProfessional.com. For more information on emerging industry trends, be sure to subscribe to Holman’s Morning Brake newsletter to have the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.