Practical Example of Interior Fittings for Commercial Vehicles

The vehicle supply chain keeps us on our toes—non-transparency, multiple partners, high costs, hindered communications. This causes stress for many of our customers, who long for objective insights. Is this you? If so, then the following post will certainly be of interest to you! We have developed a best-practice sample calculation on the topic of “interior fittings for commercial vehicles.” This sample calculation will allow you to draw conclusions for your own fleet based on comparative figures.

Interior fittings and assemblies (known as upfitting) are part of the ever more complex vehicle supply chain, which is of increasing importance for many fleets. But what does upfitting actually include? Upfitting refers to the changes made to vehicles with the goal of optimizing their functionality. These upgrades can include a broad range of modifications, such as adding dividing walls, storage compartments, luggage carriers, ramps, dividing walls [sic], towing fixtures, and even modifications to the vehicle’s suspension and chassis.

When purchasing vans, many parameters, which may be confusing for laypeople, must be taken into consideration—from load-securing systems to the optimized use of storage space—all of which incur financial risks that must be minimized. For this reason, Holman has taken a closer look at the current state of the fleet of one of our largest construction clients in Germany and run the numbers for them. Our first step was to focus on the interior fittings of the vans in the fleet comprised predominantly of commercial vehicles.

The two charts below represent a portion of the possible savings potential. Explanatory information appears in the following text.

The fitting costs charged by the current Fitter A for the optimized solution for the use of storage space exceed those of our Holman partner by 10.00% per vehicle. For 20 vehicle orders per year, this translates to savings of €16,600 annually.

In addition, the weights of the fittings of the two upfitting service providers must be taken into consideration: With the Holman partner, the weight is reduced by 8.8% per vehicle, which is substantial when you consider that there is another effect: Lower weight = lower fuel consumption and greater load capacity—a clear benefit!

But upfitting means much more. For instance, compliance with regulations or the simplification of logistics routes—from vehicle ordering to the fitter to the return of the vehicle to your company’s location—could be additional points of analysis. Conclusion: There is significant potential for savings on interior fittings when you compare service providers.

Finding the right partner to help you realize this potential is not at all easy. It requires a trained overview of all the associated processes—true to the motto “one-stop shopping.” At Holman, we live this motto and are happy to help you develop an upfitting solution. Three facts will show you why we could be your optimal partner:

1. Know-how: We offer you a tailored needs analysis. We are always at your side with our extensive industry experience and our team members’ expertise. Additionally, we are continuously focused on the latest market conditions.
2. Supplier relations: Holman maintains excellent contacts in the industry and is therefore always abreast of the times. Thanks to our partner relationships, we can take advantage of a broad portfolio of suppliers with special conditions.
3. Processes: At Holman our focus is on comprehensive processes, from ordering through to delivery. In this way, we can guarantee fast, efficient process execution, which is also tracked via process controlling.

The topic of upfitting is only one part of what has become the very complex supply chain. But the truth is that opportunities to take advantage of such potential are hidden along the entire supply chain. If you ignore these opportunities, you will see that costs will quickly rise exorbitantly and get out of hand. Our recommendation: Implement a process tailored to your needs that includes cost reductions, transparent communication, or high levels of service.

Have we piqued your curiosity? Are you ready to learn more? Then set up an appointment with our Holman Team, and let’s tackle your needs together!