Let’s face it— the last thing you want to do when snow falls is the drive from house to house. But there it is. You have a business to run. And for many snow removal companies, this means coming in early and working into the night. Making matters worse, snow season practically lasts half the year—with people hitting the panic button as soon as they see the first flake or paid forecast app spit out “winter” in their area. The problem is that most snow service companies spend a vast amount of time traveling and only a fraction of time actually working (defrosting windshields, plowing driveways and sidewalks). What if there was an easier way?
The winter season can be a particularly challenging time for snow removal businesses. Snowfall and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your business’s bottom line, but it’s not too late to take action.
With the right tools, your snow removal business can reduce fuel costs and ensure that your fleet gets the most out of every gallon.
Use GPS Tracking to Plan Efficient Routes During the Snow Season
Real-time GPS location tracking software allows you to plan efficient routes for your fleet, saving time and money. You can use routing algorithms to optimize routes based on factors like historic traffic patterns and weather conditions, which will help you avoid areas prone to accidents or congestion. This way, drivers don’t have to waste time driving around town looking for customers who need their services — they can spend more time doing what they do best: moving snow!
Give Technicians Onsite Access to Expertise in Snow and Ice Removal
When it comes to snow removal, experience matters. A technician who has been working for years will know which customers have pets or children who might wander onto the driveway while he’s working and need extra care and attention. He’ll know how much weight each type of equipment can handle without causing damage to driveways or sidewalks. And he’ll have an instinctive understanding of where different types of snowfall — wetter, lighter snow tends to settle at the bottom of banks or on top of roofs; drier, heavier snow settles around trees and fences; wetter but still heavy snow is usually found in small piles along and more.
Reduce Travel Time and Increase Profit Margins
If you own a snow removal business, you must minimize travel time during the winter months. Spending less time on the road can maximize profit margins and get more work done in less time. This will help you increase your bottom line without sacrificing customer service or quality of workmanship.
Optimize Your Inventory
Another way that snow removal businesses can save money on with the rise in record breaking fuel costs is by optimizing their inventory levels and routes. When your trucks are full of inventory when they leave the shop, they will use more gas while driving around town looking for jobs to complete. If you have enough trucks equipped with Zuper’s Route Optimization Software, however, each truck can plan its route in advance so that it only stops at locations where work is available.
Increase First-Time Fix Rates
One of the most effective ways to reduce fuel costs is by increasing your first-time fix rate. A first-time fix rate is how often you return to a customer’s house for additional service after the initial visit. This number should be as low as possible since each additional trip increases labor and maintenance costs.
Educate Your Drivers on Fuel-Efficient Driving Habits
Drivers need to be trained on how to drive more efficiently. Teach them to accelerate slowly, use cruise control when possible, and avoid unnecessary braking. This will help save fuel without sacrificing safety or customer service.
Zuper’s Route Optimization Software
Zuper’s incredible GPS tracking capabilities allow snow removal companies to reduce their fuel consumption during winter. By analyzing the historical data recorded through Zuper, businesses can plan their routes more efficiently. This saves them time and money by reducing travel time and increasing profit margins. Zuper is also equipped with optimizer technology that lets users configure their truck inventory to match resources with specific jobs. In addition, the solution provides real-time route updates for all trucks through messages on web browsers and mobile devices.
