Barloworld has invested heavily in a web-based vehicle tracking system for its 550 service vehicles. The state-of-the-art system has been fitted to the entire fleet to help boost efficiency.

With live tracking over the web, despatchers are able to immediately assign the nearest engineer according to the skills required and improve planning so that routes and schedules are optimised. The tracking system also provides benefits to security and safety allowing quick retrieval of stolen vehicles and safe driving monitoring.

"Since we started equipping our vehicles with the tracker the benefits have become evident very quickly with improved service and productivity" says Alan Dunne "This was illustrated during the recent floods which badly effected UK industry. With live tracking over the web our despatchers were able to guide our engineers and find the quickest route to the next service call."

All Barloworld's vans are stocked with the most commonly needed parts demanded by local industry. If a repair requires any additional part, technicians can place orders through their palm top system to Barloworld's National Parts Centre in Birmingham. The parts centre offers over 93% off-the-shelf parts availability for all types and brands of lift truck and any order received before 5.30pm will be despatched overnight directly to the technicians service van or customers own premises. This means the engineer begins the day ready stocked with the parts needed to complete any repair. Any part not in stock at Barloworld's National Parts Centre can normally be obtained within 24 hours through its sophisticated supply chain.

As industries strive for continuous improvement and cost reduction, it is even more crucial that companies check the detail of their service provision. With satisfaction levels reaching over 96% in a recent survey, Barloworld believes that its service operation is now the new benchmark in lift truck service support.