We have been working hard in the Equipment Department to find a better method for collecting data on our equipment.  Not only will we be able to use this information for accessing our current equipment needs and costs, but it also tells us where we need to work on efficiency. 

Some of the ways we are working to accomplish this is through work orders, invoices, meter readings, and equipment transfers.

We have seen great improvements on meter readings and work orders from all locations including the trucking department, concrete plants, job crews, shops, mobile shops, and parts department. We still have a way to go, but we are moving forward.

I would like to explain why it is important to get accurate meter readings and what we will use the information for. One of the areas that we are looking at is truck costs and the comparison of trucks to trucks to see what makes, models, and years of trucks are holding up to the work they are doing. Keeping accurate meter readings allows us to recognize what trucks work better in the different areas. With accurate meter readings, we can use the mileage and hours to see what it is costing to operate a particular vehicle and then compare it to others that are doing different or similar work.

Another area where the meter readings are useful is to help us document what equipment is used the most or if it has been used at all.  This knowledge will allow our equipment program to run more efficiently.

Fuel usage is starting to be a big issue in equipment management and meter readings will help us in this area, also. We just want you to know that the time everyone is taking to take meter readings is a great help and will provide us with the needed information to move forward in evaluating and making good decisions regarding the equipment.

Another area that we have been working on is our work order system.  I would like to thank everyone for their efforts to make this system work. We have gotten good responses from all the different areas in Manatt’s concerning the work order system.

We have been testing a new field mechanic’s timecard/work order form and so far it has been working well.  The new form is on a large envelope with a daily timecard on top and a work order form on the bottom and back.  The envelope is used to hold all of the invoices, packing slips, fuel tickets, or any other information that you need to get to the Brooklyn office in a timely manner. 

I would like to thank the mechanics that helped us to create and test this form and the good feed back that they provided. Thanks to Rod Arvidson, Brent Barfield, and James Weiermann, for a job well done! We hope to have the form available to all of the field mechanics soon.

Accurate and timely information is going to improve our ability to get good data and that in turn will help us make better, informed decisions. We need everyone’s help in getting this information.

Thank you for all your hard work so far. The more accurate information we get, the better and more efficiently we will be able to manage the equipment.