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MARCH 2020 Archive

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 MARCH 2020 utilityfleetprofessional.com

FMCSR Awareness

| Jim Vaughn, CUSP |
When analysts look at utilities, and to some extent utility contractors, they often see what’s referred to as “mission creep.” That occurs when the expertise of the utility should be focused on quality and continuity of service but begins to be compromised by focus on too many other areas. The opposite of mission creep is […]
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What’s New in Truck and Van Upfits for 2020?

| Sean M. Lyden |
The industry’s leading body manufacturers and upfitters in the truck and van sector are developing new products that equip your crews to get more work done in less time and with less strain. Some companies are incorporating lighter-weight materials in their product designs so that you can increase a truck’s payload without bumping up to […]
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Women in Utility Fleet: Mariela Perez

| Sean M. Lyden |
In 2016, when Mariela Perez and her husband visited the exhibits while attending a national fleet managers conference, very few equipment vendors knew who she was: the head of the fleet department at Duke Energy, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. So, you can imagine the awkward surprise for many of those […]
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The Work Truck Show Celebrates 20 Years

| Kate Wade |
The Work Truck Show returns to Indianapolis this year, where it will celebrate two decades of offering vocational truck fleet operators, manufacturers, dealers and equipment distributors an inside look at the latest trucks, vehicle components and equipment – all in one place. Nearly three times larger now than it was in 2001, the show – […]
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Points to Consider When Transitioning to a Fleet Management Information System

| Grace Suizo |
Using a fleet management information system (FMIS) can help utility fleet managers keep records and generate reports regarding the effective and efficient operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of their fleet assets. UFP recently spoke with two utility fleet managers who shared their experiences of transitioning to an FMIS and what other fleets might expect from […]
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Spec’ing Service Van Interiors with Safety in Mind

| Sandy Smith |
When it comes to spec’ing service vans, utility fleet managers must consider several factors, including budget, vehicle performance, efficiency, and operator safety and comfort. Take Alabama Power’s vans, for instance. About half of the 80 units that the company – a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Co. – has on the road are outfitted for general […]
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Charging Ahead: Integrating Telematics in Electric Vehicles

| Fiona Soltes |
Over the last decade, Southern California Edison has worked with a handful of telematics providers. That’s meant plenty of learning opportunities with both traditional and electric vehicles. The utility company’s fleet has roughly 6,300 units; about 10% of those are electrified. And it’s an ongoing challenge to be able to report the data that the […]
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Leadership Strategies: Creating the Connections that Produce High-Performing Teams

| Sean M. Lyden |
If you’re like many utility fleet leaders right now, you’re bracing for a significant brain drain in your organization as experienced technicians and other key people in the fleet department get ready to retire in the next few years, with fewer younger workers in the pipeline to take their place. So, how can you get […]
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Shop Talk: Creating Consistency for Dielectric Inspections Across a Global Enterprise

| Sean M. Lyden |
As a utility fleet professional, you’re well-versed in ANSI’s requirement for annual dielectric inspections on aerial equipment to verify the nonconductivity of electricity through the boom. These inspections help you and your team identify and fix potential issues before they can cause injury or downtime. But if you have bucket trucks, digger derricks and other […]
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Building – and Maintaining – a Strong Professional Network

| Sean M. Lyden |
A common trait I’ve seen in interviewing numerous successful fleet professionals over the years is that they’ve all learned how to cultivate a strong network. Relationship-building is a critical skill for professional success because you never know when you’ll need to call on someone to help you get out of a jam, make an important […]
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Entire Series of UFP Magazine