Counting down the days to Fleetcon 2016?

This year will mark the 40^th Anniversary for Fleetcon and will be held September 12-15, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Frisco, Texas.  As always, Fleetcon is the education event for all things fleet! This annual event combines education, networking, and introductions to new technologies, innovations and fleet solutions. Attendees flock countrywide for the educational seminars and to have the opportunity to gain comprehensive insight into the latest technologies, innovations, and trends that affect their industries.

Let’s not forget about the Exhibits & Vendor Show! Held Tuesday and Wednesday, the 13^th and 14^th, this is your chance to see first-hand and explore the future of your fleet through the innovative exhibits. Each exhibitor manufactures, distributes, or supplies industry products and/or services to fleet organizations around the country. All of them are experts in their field and willing to share their innovations to help you reach your fleet potential. This is a great opportunity to get hands on with vehicles, equipment, and tools that will improve fleet operations. This is also a chance to develop your network and enjoy face-to-face conversations with the vendors and suppliers.

These exhibits promise not to disappoint, so make your way to Frisco, Texas and expand your horizons!

Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Fleetwest will not be an exhibitor this year. Fleetwest looks forward to these events and the ability to share our innovative products and network with fleet professionals. Keep your eyes out for us next year though.

Fleetwest provides fleet solutions to:

• Lowering cost of ownership - transferable vs. tradition bolt-on service bodies. Load'N'Go utility bodies will lower ownership costs by providing flexibility, reducing technician downtime, and increasing resale value.

• Improving fleet sufficiency - transferable service bodies are more sufficient because they can easily be moved from one pickup truck to another in minutes, fully loaded. Fewer pickup trucks are needed within a fleet and work trucks are more customizable with Load'N'Go and CTB service bodies.

• Technology advancements - CTB service bodies are made of an innovative lightweight, fiberglass composite that is rugged and lowers fuel costs. Load'N'Go service bodies are powder-coated which is the latest technology for quality service body advancement. The powder coating process creates a more durable, aesthetically pleasing fleet.

For more information about Fleetwest and our innovative fleet solutions, please visit us at www.fleetwest.net.

Future increase in fuel prices on the horizon

Although we are currently down 56 cents from last year’s national average, according to the Energy Department’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, diesel and gasoline prices are on the rise and are expected to move even higher the rest of this year and continue into 2017.

During the 2016 summer driving season (April through September), the EIA expects the retail price of regular gasoline will average $2.19/gal. They forecast the U.S. average retail price would reach a peak of $2.37/gal in June and then fall to an average of $2.19/gal in September. The U.S. regular gasoline retail price is projected to average $2.06/gal for 2016, down from last year’s average of $2.43/gal, and $2.26/gal in 2017. The diesel fuel prices are expected to average $2.30/gal in 2016 and predicted to match last year’s average of $2.71/gal in early 2017 and upwards of $2.86 per gallon in the final three months of 2017.

Brent crude oil prices were at a 12-year low of $31 per barrel in January and increased to an average of $47 per barrel this last May. According to August reports, crude oil prices are forecast to average $42 per barrel for 2016 and $52 per barrel in 2017. The crude oil increase is an effect of growing global oil supply disruptions, rising oil demand, and falling U.S. crude oil production. 

Fleetwest has the solutions to increase your fleet fuel economy. We offer a line of lightweight, fiberglass Composite Truck Bodies (CTB) that follow the Sustainable Fleet Standards by increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and saving on fuel costs.  All of which convert to savings for fleet management. Composite Truck Bodies are completely transferable on and off your pickup truck in minutes with no-holes-drilled installation; available with endless options to customize work trucks and make them ideal for any type of fleet.

Fleetwest offers the most efficient transferable service bodies for the trades industry, including construction, plumbing, telecom and mechanical industries. Call us today and start saving for tomorrow. Toll-free in the U.S. (866) 497-7200

The Ultimate Contractor’s Utility Body:

As Contractors you need to get the most out of your truck. You need a rugged and user friendly utility body to organize your tools and materials without sacrificing the factory truck bed. Large and small fleets alike can benefit from a fully transferable service body platform that allows use of the factory bed. Dedicated Bolt-On Service Bodies simply can't offer this flexibility, and often create equipment issues in the field when break downs occur. How many times have you have you had to transfer your tools and materials from one truck to another, only to get to the job site and have half of what you needed?

The revolutionary Load'N'Go Bodies by Fleetwest offer a huge advantage over traditional bolt on bodies with the ability to transfer from truck to truck or truck to job-site in literally minutes, even when loaded with tools and equipment. This virtually eliminates downtime and offers fleets a tremendous savings in time and lost revenue. The Load'N'Go Body can be removed and installed by forklift or optional jacks with crane lifting tubes available as well.

The Load'N'Go offers maximum storage and usability with key features like a standard 1,000 lb. capacity pull out tool drawer with included customizable divider package, and large side cabinets with adjustable shelving. Additionally, the Load'N'GO bodies are the most secure utility body available, with industry leading heavy duty hardware and dual locking latch assemblies with keyed cylinder locks and pad lockable stainless steel T-Handles.

Load'N'Go models available for 1/2, 3/4 and 1 Ton Trucks with 6.5' or 8' Beds. They are all a universal fit for Ford, GM, Dodge, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan. With no added up-fitting costs or down time, Load'N'Go bodies offer the highest return on investment in the industry and this return only gets better with every up-fit/truck replacement cycle.

written by Luke Parrott

 Load'N'Go Security Top shown in truck

Contact our sales team today to learn more about Load’N’Go truck bodies 
and the options available for your fleet. Don't forget to ask about the $300 off list price on the purchase of a Load'N'Go Security Top - 8 ft. model only -
(Offer may not be combined with any other discount or special pricing)
Offer valid until 8/31/16 or while quantities last

Luke Parrott                                                       Bill Butler

Direct 480-261-1058                                        Direct 602-736-3919

luke@fleetwest.net                                      bbutler@fleetwest.net

www.fleetwest.net

Controlling Fleet Costs

Whether your company is big or small, everyone is looking to save money. Fleet managers are always keeping an eye on the operations financial bottom line. Unfortunately, repairs and maintenance are never cheap, but it is a necessary and anticipated expense. One daunting task for fleet managers is deciding whether or not to perform in-house or outsource maintenance and repair work. As with anything, there are pros and cons to consider.

Some pros to in-house repair are:

• Control the quality of workmanship – not everyone will treat each repair as if it was their own truck
• Control the length of time the vehicle is out of service – you know your truck isn’t sitting there waiting for someone to get around to fixing it
• Control parts cost – You know that you are not paying an inflated price for parts

Some cons to in-house repair are:

• Significant expense required to employ quality trained mechanics and inventory needed
• Training program for ongoing employee training needed
• Building space required for maintenance to be performed in and the extra concerns with regulations and approvals needed to go with these facilities

Quite simply, deciding whether or not the job is outsourced or performed in-house is a complex task.  It comes down to the important factors – cost, quality and turnaround time – and what works for your company.

Downtime is always going to be a challenge; however, Fleetwest offers an innovative solution to this problem. When you own a Fleetwest truck body and your work truck is in need of repairs, you simply transfer the truck body, fully loaded, to another pickup truck bed via forklift, crane or lifting jacks. The technician now has full access to his tools and equipment and able to move forward with his days’ work. When the needed repairs have been made, the service body is then transferred back into the original work truck. All executed in a matter of minutes with a no-holes drilled installation. Transferability changes everything!

For more information on Fleetwest transferable truck bodies, please call toll-free in the U.S. (866) 497-7200.