BJS Haulage and Construct IT reap the benefits of Renault Trucks Optifleet solution

Leading national haulage company, BJS Haulage and its sister company, Construct IT, specialists in brick and block haulage, have announced a significant improvement in its driver behaviour and performance following the successful introduction of Renault Trucks’ Optifleet fleet management system.

Optifleet is designed to guide decision-making and reduce operating costs, keeping operators connected via PC, tablet, mobile and API, monitoring real-time performance of both vehicles and drivers. BJS has been using Optifleet since it first started using Renault Trucks vehicles with the entire BJS Haulage and Construct IT fleets now using the system. Data is also obtained for anyone driving the company’s vehicles including those being assessed for driving roles at BJS Haulage and Construct IT, to understand their driving behaviours before being offered employment.

As well as using Optifleet, all drivers have undertaken Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training, a Department for Transport backed driver development course that focuses on reducing the risk of collisions, driving economically and driver behaviours. Initially trained by an in-house driver trainer to four driver mentors, SAFED training was rolled out across the business and is now a standard part of the company’s driver induction programme. 

Amarat Gill, Operations Director for BJS Haulage and Construct IT says:    “We use Optifleet on all our BJS Haulage and Construct IT vehicles, allowing us to monitor driving behaviours and identifying any areas for improvement. Our team has worked hard on this project, to maximise Optifleet scores for all our drivers with further ongoing SAFED training and engagement, equipping our driving teams with the right knowledge to help reduce pressure and stress on the road, which in turn helps to improve our MPG, providing both environmental and financial benefits.”

The Eco Score report allows BJS to analyse trended driver behavioural performance based on a score of 1 to 10 including data such as fuel consumption, idling time, and braking frequency. It helps to optimise fuel consumption by promoting good driver skills and identifying those who need to improve. The average Eco Score for BJS Haulage and Construct IT has improved significantly from 8.2 in April 2022 to an impressive 8.9 in April 2023. 

Amarat says: “With the Optifleet score now used as part of our driver performance bonus scheme, it means we can reward our drivers, who drive the vehicles efficiently and safely. It has been pleasing to see over 98% of our drivers in the overall green band each week and we share the weekly scores with the teams, so they are aware of their individual performance.”

Commenting further on the value of Optifleet, Amarat says: “The Optifleet system has a huge motivational impact on all our drivers; they are keen to see their personal scores on a weekly basis and it is pushing them to do their best. We have created a driver league table, published weekly using the driver scores, so they can see where they are in relation to their peers and let’s just say, like your favourite football team, nobody wants to be at the bottom!”

“The improvement in our driver’s performance is also having a positive effect on the vehicles, with fewer collisions and damage, resulting in less downtime with vehicle repairs and a reduction in costs incurred. We are also now beginning to see better fuel efficiencies which is having a positive effect on MPG and fuel costs, which in the current climate of higher fuel costs, is vital.”

“The Optifleet system is so easy to use and gives us all the information and data required to run a successful fleet. Reports can be tailor-made to suit our individual needs, and the Optifleet support team is always on hand to offer advice, trouble shoot or answer any queries that arise.”