Archive for January, 2010
By Joan Gottlieb - January 21st, 2010
What is the cost to fuel your fleet? PPG times gallons? Many fleet owners only consider fuel cost in this equation.
If your drivers are fueling at retail, additional factors should be considered.
How much TIME did it take to fuel at a retail station? What is the wage factor for this unproductive time, is it a 2 manned vehicle, travel time and out of route miles to name a few.
Traveling to a retail station and the time that is taken to fuel therefore can be quite considerable. Have you ever timed how long the whole process takes to fleet fuel.
An alternative fuel savings method to fueling your fleet would be to sign on a mobile fleet fueling supplier. Consider the convenience of having your vehicles fueled up each day ready to make deliveries. Other benefits include no out of route miles searching for a retail station to accommodate large vehicles, reduced liability by not having such large vehicles navigate small retail sites, drivers time is more productive. One last important fact to consider, unlike retail fuel, mobile fuel costs are negotiated; consistent and stable.
Sokolis Group can help you improve the fueling process for your company, recommend and negotiate with a mobile fuel supplier, and reduce fuel costs.
Call today; speak with one of our fuel experts on ways to improve and save on your fleet fuel costs.
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Tags: fleet fuel, fleet fueling, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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By Kelly Quigley - January 19th, 2010
Toward the end of 2009 the Senate had its last few sessions and decided to focus its energy on Health Care Reform and neglected to address the extension of the Biodiesel tax credit, which expired on January 1st. Failure to extend the credit would not only effect the production of the clean burning fuel but would also lose near 23,000 ‘green’ jobs. Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel. Produced domestically and from renewable sources, biodiesel can be blended with petroleum to create a blended fuel (biodiesel.org). The Biodiesel Tax Credit had previously offered a $1 tax credit per gallon sold. With the IEA predicating that 2010 will be the year to date with the most oil demand all the cleaner fuels out there need that helping hand to get on their feet and grow as an industry. The tax credit would keep creating the incentive for fleets all over to consider blending with biodiesel if not going greener. Fuel management consultants keep a watchful eye on the affairs of oil and biodiesel. Without modifications biodiesel can be blended up to 20% and still keeps that old diesel engine running. Even through cold winters, biodiesel can be blended with diesel that already has its mixture of cold weather additives. While the Senate still debates an almost obvious issue, let Sokolis Group help your fuel management program whether it has biodiesel in its future or not.
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Tags: diesel fuel, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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By Laura Owens - January 18th, 2010
Just like anything else in our lives fueling up our vehicles becomes routine. We go to the same gas station, pump the same gas and continue on with our lives without even thinking about it. What if you stopped and thought about the price of fuel or if there are lower priced gas stations in the area you could be fueling up at? Well here at the Sokolis Group we do that for you. One of the many services we provide our fleet fuel clients is to reduce their fuel costs by directing them to the lowest priced station in the areas which they are already traveling. Sokolis Group’s fuel consultant team does extensive research to find the lowest price fleet fuel along the routes our fleet clients take. Sokolis Group also negotiates discounted fuel prices for our fleet fuel clients with the merchants they purchase large quantities of gallons. One of our goals here is to help your fleet company cut fleet fuel cost and increase fleet fuel efficiency, so if you like saving money check out the Sokolis Group at www.sokolisgroup.com and contact us today!
Tags: fleet fuel, Fuel Management
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By Conor Proud - January 15th, 2010
During the third quarter of 2009 405 fleets failed. An astonishing 14,135 tractors were taken off the road. I repeat 14,135 trucks were taken off the road. That’s an improvement from the previous years third quarter. Considering prices for fleet fuel were at an extreme level that isn’t saying much.
Fleets failing can be for a number of reasons. It could be due to the industry that company is in, the state of the economy, high fleet fuel prices, or the demand of freight. Whatever the reason is many of them can be from poor fuel management. Believe it or not, but many trucking companies aren’t watching their fleet fueling purchases as close as they should be. They set it and forget it. That is not how the oil industry works. Prices of fleet fuel are constantly changing, and you need someone watching on a daily basis doing fuel audits of your fleet fuel purchases to ensure you’re getting the best possible fuel price. If you don’t watch your fleet fuel vendors they might take advantage and increase their margins day by day.
Here’s a perfect example. A fleet that Sokolis Group manages buys a lot of diesel fuel. They have sites all over the country and we have negotiated deals with those fleet fueling vendors. Just last month by doing our daily fuel audits of their fleet fuel, we found an overcharge of $748.04. We contacted the fuel vendor and immediately received a credit in that amount for our customer. This happens every month. If someone was not watching their fleet fuel purchases they would be spending more money for fuel then they need to be.
Not every company will succeed in their business, and that’s something that every business owner risks when he starts it. However, the more attention and effort you put in will increase your chances of succeeding. Sokolis Group helps tons of fleets across the country save money on their fuel management. We have a great fuel management team, and we enjoy saving money for our clients buying fleet fuel. Don’t let your fleet fail. Try our fuel management services and see where you could be getting charged to much.
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Tags: diesel fuel, fleet fuel, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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By Lisa Hermann - January 13th, 2010
In case you don’t fuel up with diesel fuel, let me tell you the surge in the less-refined fuel’s prices have nearly mirrored gasoline’s recent rise. In just the last month, prices have jumped by more than 14%, to average $2.61 per gallon.
Even scarier, prices have risen while diesel fuel demand has dropped. The country is calling for 17% less diesel fuel, yet the markets continue to add to the price.
Soaring prices would not be so bad if demand was rising and companies could make up the hit to their margins, but demand is far from what it was just a year ago. In fact, according to the American Trucking Association, trucking demand has dropped by about 13% from this time last year.
Rising costs and less revenues is a textbook recipe for disaster. So team up with Sokolis Group and lets work together for a great 2010!!
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Tags: diesel fuel, Sokoils Group
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By Kelly Quigley - January 8th, 2010
Have you heard about DWD? It is Driving While Distracted, talking on phones, texting, heck even fiddling with the radio. According to Nationwide.com the number one source of driver distraction is due to wireless device. This connotation is mostly associated with teen drivers, but that is not always the case. Truck drivers have more opportunities for distraction due to their time on the road, and the equipment in the vehicles. They may have just finished using their fleet fuel card to tank up and didn’t have time for a sit down lunch, so they eat on the road. Distraction. Using a navigation system for directions, or re-routing due to road conditions also causes distractions. With the rise of oil prices and fuel management already on the mind, safety may have taken temporary back seat. Don’t let you driver become a statistic.
Tags: Fuel Management
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By Lisa Hermann - January 4th, 2010
When the weather outside is frightful, it’s important that drivers make sure their vehicles are prepared for wintery weather conditions. Snow and ice can turn a normally safe road into a slippery hazard. According to the United States Department of Commerce, “70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.” Sokolis Group recommends a few vehicle maintenance and safe driving tips to help families stay safer on the road this winter holiday season.
Although it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together, winter weather often magnifies existing vehicle problems. It’s important to visit an automotive service provider to make sure a vehicle’s engine, battery, cooling and exhaust systems are in tip-top shape before the winter months.
If outside the snow is falling, drivers should check their tire inflation pressure and tread depth. A tire may lose one pound per square inch (psi) for every 10ºF temperature drop. Try to check your tire air pressure weekly. If a driver lives in a snowy area, he or she may want to consider buying a set of dedicated winter tires. Winter tires are designed to improve a vehicle’s stability and handling in adverse driving conditions.
When in the lane, snow is glistening, drivers should slow down to improve vehicle traction and be prepared for longer stopping distances. Abrupt braking, accelerating and turning can cause the driver to lose control of his or her vehicle. If a car or truck begins to skid, a driver should avoid slamming on the brakes; instead, he or she should gently take his or her foot off the accelerator and try to regain traction.
If over the river and through the woods, a vehicle gets stuck in the snow, kitty litter, sand, an asphalt shingle or gravel placed under the tires can help regain traction. Drivers should not spin their tires. This could cause the tires to overheat and cause damage.
Driving in a winter wonderland can be dangerous, but reviewing these simple vehicle maintenance and safe driving tips can help enhance your holiday season.
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Tags: Sokoils Group
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