ATS Euromaster: Fleets, staff benefit from expanded night services

Over a period of 12 months, ATS Euromaster piloted an out-of-hours tyre inspection and replacement service for retailer and dotcom fleets. The tyre and maintenance provider recently opened up this night shift service to last-mile delivery operators such as Yodel and is already generating over 9,300 servicing jobs per month. It says this service, which complements the existing 24/7, 365 days emergency tyre work service it provides to blue lights fleets, is “already proving a hit for customers and staff.”

The expanded service offers a mobile tyre inspection and rectification between 11pm and 7am at depots or selected ATS centres, enabling tyre repair and replacement when the vehicles are not on delivery duties. To date, ATS’s nighttime shifts have resulted in 37 per cent emergency tyre repairs, 30 per cent priority work, such as checks and rectification being undertaken on site and scheduled 28 per cent of callouts for daytime maintenance jobs.

Exceeded expectations

Launched in response to the increase in home delivery service demand, particularly from supermarkets, that has driven a more than 75 per cent growth in digital sales following the pandemic, ATS Euromaster says the new service will lead to greater fleet efficiency thanks to fewer emergency callouts during delivery hours.

“Since expanding our night shift evening inspection service, it has even exceeded our expectations. Fleet operators appreciate the service, as they can minimise the time vehicles are off the road,” says Mark Holland, operations director from ATS Euromaster. “And, importantly, our staff appreciate the flexibility that we can offer. For some, not all, night-time work offers great lifestyle benefits and improves mental well-being. It is wonderful to know we are having a huge impact upon fleets and our staff.”

Liam O’Connor, an ATS night shift technician adds: “I have worked for ATS since 2005 and moved to working nights 11 months ago, previously doing a 6 am- 2 pm day shift. Since moving to nights, I’ve felt a positive change to my work/life balance and am really enjoying the change.

“My son is all grown up now which means I do not have to worry about childcare, so it is easier for me to be able to work the shift that suits me. We do four nights on three nights off, and that suits me. Doing nights enables me to feel like my own boss. I make sure that the work is done and do not have to worry about the Manchester traffic that I would have to deal with on the day shift.”

Another night technician, Jordan Kechil, comments: “The main thing for me about working a nightshift is there’s a lot less stress. When I worked days 8:30 am-5:30 pm it would be stressful either with the amount of jobs given to you during the day, or distances to be travelled within your shift time.

“I get to do school runs and spend more time with my daughter, I have more family time, my routine is completely different (in a good way) and I still have time to run errands, go to the park with my child, pick up my partner from work and have no traffic to contend with. While obtaining high jobs per month I can plan the month where to go, what sites to inspect and do the work at my own pace without worrying and stressing about other jobs given to you.”