ASCO targets £194,000 annual fleet savings following Webfleet rollout

Global logistics and materials management specialist ASCO is forecasting annual savings of £194,000 following the rollout of Webfleet technology across its van, truck and trailer fleet.

The implementation covers fleet management, trailer tracking and driver monitoring, including the installation of Webfleet’s Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS) across around 280 trailers.

The system continuously monitors trailer brake performance against DVSA standards and alerts ASCO’s fleet team to potential issues. The technology was introduced following changes to DVSA trailer brake testing requirements last year.

Mick Smith, Transport and Operations Manager at ASCO, said: “Our priority was to improve braking safety through continuous, proactive monitoring rather than relying solely on periodic inspections.

“Having live brake performance data reduces the need for more frequent rolling road brake testing, helping us maintain high safety standards while reducing maintenance costs, workshop workload and vehicle downtime.”

ASCO has also introduced remote tachograph download functionality across 102 trucks, providing its transport team with up-to-date information on drivers’ remaining hours. Managers can use the data to identify when drivers need to take breaks before potential infringements occur.

The rollout has also addressed gaps in ASCO’s previous vehicle tracking system. Vehicles operating at high-risk fuel terminals previously required tracking devices to be unplugged or isolated because of spark ignition risks, which could result in gaps in fleet data if devices were not subsequently reconnected.

Webfleet developed a hardwired system intended to remove the need for this process.

ASCO is also using Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360 system to monitor driver behaviour, with KPIs introduced around areas including speeding and idling. The company plans to introduce driver league tables by department and vehicle type to encourage improvements in driving performance.

The wider implementation covered 383 vans, trucks and trailers and was carried out around ASCO’s operating schedule to minimise vehicle downtime.

Smith added: “Webfleet has made us all much more effective. It’s helped us to rewrite our driver standards and, by telling us who’s doing what, how and where, alerts us to when we should intervene.”

Alex Crane-Robinson, Regional Director UK & Ireland at Webfleet, said the rollout demonstrated how connected fleet technology could be used to strengthen compliance, improve fleet visibility and generate operational savings.

“ASCO optimises the movements and operations of some of the world’s most critical industries, where safety and efficiency are essential. This rollout shows how connected fleet technology can help customers strengthen compliance, improve visibility and unlock measurable operational savings.”