Is your business using too much fuel

AS fuel prices continue to soar transport companies need to manage fuel more efficiently to stay competitive, according to leading logistics experts Progressive Logistics.

Chris Metcalfe, of Progressive Logistics, said: “Fuel can account for up to 30 per cent of a road haulage company's operating costs, so it is extremely important that businesses do all they can to purchase and use their fuel
efficiently to stop their costs spiralling out of control.”

Progressive Logistics can help businesses to save fuel by carrying out a fuel management audit at their premises.

One business that has benefited from this is Groundwork Cheshire and Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, which has recently had 20 resource efficiency audits completed by Progressive Logistics.

A fuel management audit will help companies to answer the following questions:

· Are you buying fuel in the most cost effective way?
· Do you store fuel correctly?
· Do you measure usage and gain any benefits from the information gathered?
· Is your vehicle specification having an adverse affect on fuel consumption?
· Are daily checks carried out on tyres and ancillary equipment?
· How involved are staff in understanding how to reduce fuel consumption?
· Do you take training seriously in reducing fuel consumption?

Progressive Logistics can also offer advice on LPG (Liquid Petroleum gas) vehicle conversions and purchasing fuel at a cheaper price as part of the audit.

Following the fuel management audit a report is produced and a fuel management action plan is agreed, which may save up to five per cent of a company's fuel bill.