Whether planned or unplanned, downtime is never good news. The cost can be significant, which can quickly lead to financial headaches if a large vehicle fleet is out of action for cleaning. Thankfully, vehicle wash systems can be a powerful ally. Here’s why.
The problem of downtime is that it affects multiple areas of organisational strategy. When vehicles are not in use, there is an immediate effect on productivity, and this is a daily cost. However, when this is unexpected – such as when unpleasant weather splatters everything in mud, requiring an urgent wash – it can impact customer satisfaction, PR, and profitability. As such, getting fleets cleaned rapidly can be directly aligned with operational success. Bush wash systems therefore need to be both fast and reliable to maximise the financial benefits.
One of the best ways of minimising downtime is by scheduling. If vehicles are not supposed to be in use, it makes complete economic sense to clean them. Automated system washes from Britannia can help to plan and programme this, ensuring that the scheduling is optimised to your individual workflow. Equally, they can provide rapid turnarounds when scheduling is challenging. This is particularly useful for large, international fleets that may be subject to notoriously unpredictable shipping timetables or other variables.
Priority-based planning is always the cornerstone of efficiency. Using this methodology, vehicles that are used more frequently, or which are traversing difficult environments, are placed at the top of the schedule. Examples are lorries that have to pass through snowy areas, or vehicles visiting construction sites. Unless high-use vehicles are prioritised, there is a risk that the dirt and grime will lead to corrosion of mechanical parts, culminating in expensive repairs. As such, regular prioritised cleaning can considerably reduce the risk of unplanned downtime while enhancing both efficiency and productivity.
Today’s technology has moved into new realms of operational support for asset reliability. For instance, the new wash systems from Britannia have their own in-built predictive maintenance, which advises you if there are potential problems looming on the horizon. For example, a sensor may have detected unexpected vibrations from one of the brushes, indicating that one of the brackets may be a little loose. Tackled promptly, this is a cheap, five-minute fix. With an older machine that does not diagnose its own health, the first you are likely to know about a problem is when the system breaks down.
In a landscape of unpredictable weather, shifting schedules, and heavy road traffic volumes, being able to clean on demand is increasingly vital. This is especially the case as fleets are recognised as being primary advertising arenas, and many companies ensure that theirs are constantly gleaming. As such, it can be highly beneficial to have automated on-site solutions that eliminate the stress, planning, and manpower required to wash vehicles. The efficiency rewards speak for themselves: Britannia’s vehicle wash systems can clean a vehicle in 50 seconds, rinsing away all headaches in the process.
At Britannia Wash Systems, our goal is to assist you in minimising downtime with our innovative, reliable, and highly resilient vehicle wash systems. To get started, have a chat with one of our experienced team by calling 01789335891 or get in touch.
Image sources: Canva