Gas Utilities
Southern
Gas Utility Company
Chatham Consulting, Inc. conducted a Fleet Specification and
Standardization Study for this utility’s 730-unit fleet. As part of
this study, we:
• Compiled and analyzed fleet inventory data.
• Developed utilization profiles of the various light,
medium and heavy trucks used.
• Observed a cross section of fleet vehicles.
• Segmented the fleet into functional requirements
based on GVWR, payload, and other factors.
• Developed standards consistent with industry
offerings in the selected functional categories.
• Suggested modifications to existing specifications
based on industry best practices.
• Suggested replacement policy based on standards and
opportunities for resale of units.
• Commented on the logistical opportunities for the
up-fitting, assembly and decaling of vehicles.
• Developed a new class-coding structure to facilitate
KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators).
• Met with company fleet and customer personnel to
achieve buy-in.
• Prepared written reports and electronic
specifications for use in the company’s
RFP's.
Midwest Gas
Utility
Chatham Consulting conducted a comprehensive study of the
1,400-unit fleet operations of this major gas utility. The study
successfully answered such questions as:
• What does the utility need to do to become more
efficient and effective?
• What are the appropriate levels of staffing needed at
each of its facilities?
• What are the skills levels and training needs of the
mechanic staff?
• Are the utility's vehicles properly specified?
• If not, what changes are needed to make them more
cost effective and suitable?
• How does the utilization of the utility’s fleet
compare to other utilities?
• Are the utility’ vehicle replacement practices
proper?
• If not, what should be an effective replacement
program be?
• Should the utility be leasing vehicles?
• How can present maintenance facilities be changed to
become more efficient?
• Are there any economies to be gained by consolidating
and/or relocating shops?
• Are the utility’s PM intervals and standards
appropriate for each class?
• If not, what should they be?
• What types of work should be outsourced?
• What information is needed to improve competitiveness
and customer service?
Southeast Natural Gas
Utility
A gas utility engaged Chatham Consulting, Inc. to conduct a Fleet
Transition Study for its multi state fleet operations that totaled
nearly 1,400 vehicle and equipment units. The study provided
guidance on how best to transition fleet services into the future,
given the recent sale and relocation of the utility’s central shop
complex. Accordingly, Chatham Consulting, Inc. completed the
following tasks:
• Examined how competitive the fleet operations;
• Evaluated in-house versus outsourcing of selected
fleet activities;
• Assessed the utility’s fleet size, mix, and
utilization;
• Estimated what size maintenance facility the Company
would needed;
• Reviewed fleet processes to determine any multi-state
synergies; and,
• Recommended process changes that would result in cost
savings or efficiency gains.
In this study we analyzed extensive maintenance and repair data
from the company’s fleet information to document current fleet
maintenance activity and productivity. In addition, we developed an
operating cost model to project fleet maintenance and repair costs
under different scenarios ranging from total outsourcing to
selected out tasking of maintenance
activity.
Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Company
(Canada)
Chatham Consulting conducted a high level review of the 900-unit,
light and medium duty fleet operations of this company. This review
was based on consultant's knowledge of the best fleet practices of
North American peer companies, and benchmarking data from Chatham
Consulting's proprietary benchmarking databases. The review
examined the fleet issues and developed recommendations to guide
future direction in:
• Management
• Leasing
• Maintenance
• Information systems
• Performance measurement
Address:
Chatham Consulting, Inc.
9 Southward Court
Chatham, NJ 07928
Tel: 973-966-9262
Fax: 973-822-1467
Email:
info@chathamconsulting.com