85% of CV fleets seeking cost cuts – Bridgestone, Webfleet examine cost of doing business

Bridgestone Duravis commercial tyres focus on the total cost of ownership as a means of reducing costs (Photo: Bridgestone)

Research by Bridgestone and Webfleet has found that 85 per cent of UK fleet operators are seeking ways to spend less in 2023. Sentiment in the sector is not optimistic about their business prospects too, with more than a third of HGV operators (36%) predicting that they will contract. The tyre manufacturer and its fleet services arm commissioned research consultancy Perspectus Global to conduct online research with more than 200 UK fleet decision makers in an attempt to appreciate the economic landscape from their unique perspective and how they plan to navigate their way through it. Following this research, the companies said that they have compiled four money-saving solutions to ease fleets’ financial pressures.

In conducting the survey, Bridgestone and Webfleet wanted to understand in more detail their customers’ current challenges, therefore helping to identify ways in which they can better support their customers. The research, summarised on Webfleet’s website, represents one of the companies’ most in-depth studies, giving a glimpse into fleets’ financial concerns and the difficult decisions being considered as a result.

4 online tools

Bridgestone and Webfleet have created four online tools to assist with lightening the load, while Bridgestone is inviting businesses to speak to one of its specialist commercial consultants for a free consultation and fleet audit, where potential savings can be brought to light.

Bridgestone and Webfleet’s four support solutions are:

• Access to an in-depth Duravis and Ecopia research study with Coventry University to calculate the fuel savings that could be realised by operating on both products – survey data showed that, unsurprisingly, the cost of fuel provided the largest increase for 69 per cent of the surveyed operators.
• A Webfleet savings calculator, where cost reductions are outlined in a few seconds.
• A Webfleet solution advisor offering fleet efficiency improvements with data-driven insights.
• A series of ‘Keeping you on the Road’ downloadable e-books, where valuable insights and tips are given about tyre maintenance and best practice advice.

David Almazán, Bridgestone’s commercial business unit director, Bridgestone North Region, said: “We want commercial fleets to know that when it comes to the cost of business crisis, we not only hear them, but we are here to support them.

“We know of the business and economic challenges that they are facing right now and we know how resilient fleet operators are, not least in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

“We are here to support them and provide them with solutions to ease their financial pressures, along with any stress and anxiety associated with their daily operations.”

Bridgestone added that its cost of business solutions represent a major part of its mission to continue to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company toward 2050.