Your fleet is your brand’s calling card on the road—the image of your company. Even if you haven’t taken the time to evaluate fleet cleaning services, one thing is certain: your company can’t afford dirty trucks, trailers, or other vehicles.
Maintaining your fleet’s cleanliness and ensuring compliance with Canadian regulatory standards can be achieved through two primary options: outsourcing fleet washing services or performing them in-house. Outsourcing these services can offer increased efficiency, cost-effectiveness, access to industry best practices, and risk reduction.
We’re going to go through and compare both options so you can determine the best approach for your specific needs.
What is Fleet Washing, and Why is it Important?
A fleet represents a significant investment, and businesses must keep it operational while complying with Canadian regulations. Fleet washing involves large-scale cleaning projects that service multiple commercial vehicles simultaneously, making it a critical aspect of fleet management to maintain cleanliness and compliance.
Fleet washing is crucial because your vehicles are your calling card, and their presentation directly impacts your brand. Regular cleaning removes corrosive agents like salt from winter road treatments, oil, and grime, which can extend the life of your vehicle’s exterior paint and undercarriage.
There is also a safety factor, as unclean mirrors or lights reduce visibility and can lead to accidents. Additionally, there is a compliance issue: fleets must meet industry and jurisdictional cleanliness standards set by Canadian authorities.
Moreover, properly maintained and clean fleet vehicles are less likely to experience issues that could cause delays, ensuring that deliveries reach their destinations on time.
In-House Fleet Washing Pros
Here are the benefits of choosing in-house fleet washing services for your business:
Managing fleet washing in-house allows you to maintain control over the cleaning process, potentially leading to cost savings and better resource management.
Control Over Quality
When you perform fleet cleaning in-house, an internal fleet manager can set and maintain specific vehicle cleaning standards that align with Canadian regulatory requirements and your brand’s standards.
Customized Training
Utilizing your own employees allows you to tailor training programs specifically to your fleet’s unique needs, ensuring compliance with Canadian regulations such as the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act for hazardous materials transport.
Flexibility
Having your own cleaning crew means you can schedule washes at times that minimize vehicle downtime, accommodating the operational demands of Canadian winters and peak business periods.
In-House Fleet Washing Cons
While managing fleet washing in-house offers certain benefits, it also comes with several disadvantages, primarily high costs and potential quality issues associated with maintaining dedicated teams and resources.
Significant Investment
You need to factor in the costs of establishing an in-house washing operation. These include the purchase of equipment, facilities to perform the cleaning, storage for supplies, and potentially hiring additional staff to manage the washing operations.
Operational Costs
Ongoing expenses include water, cleaning supplies, and labour costs. Additionally, extra storage may be necessary if space is limited.
Regulatory Compliance
Managing environmental regulations regarding water usage, wastewater disposal, and the handling of corrosive cleaners is mandatory. Compliance ensures that your operations meet provincial standards and helps you avoid hefty fines.
Resource Allocation
Depending on the size of your fleet, managing the washing operation can divert resources from your core business activities. Tasks such as managing the cleaning crew, storage, purchasing, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance require significant allocation of resources that could otherwise be used to support your primary business functions.
Outsourced Fleet Washing Pros
Outsourcing can save you time and money, as professional services often have the right equipment and expertise to get the job done efficiently. Additionally, it can help ensure that your fleet remains in compliance with environmental regulations, as these services are typically well-versed in the latest standards and practices.
Outsourcing fleet washing services can offer cost-effective solutions, access to industry best practices, and a reduction in the burden of compliance with regulations, allowing businesses to focus more on their core operations.
Expertise and Experience
Professional fleet washing companies in Canada have facilities specifically designed for large vehicles, operate around the clock, and possess specialized knowledge and equipment.
Cost-Effective
Outsourcing helps avoid capital and operational expenditures. Facilities maintenance, equipment acquisition, and workforce expenses are shifted from your balance sheet. By outsourcing, you eliminate the burden of recruiting and training personnel, which can be particularly beneficial in regions with labour shortages.
Regulatory Compliance
Outsourcing transfers the responsibility for regulatory compliance regarding wastewater disposal and environmental regulations to the service provider. This ensures adherence to Canadian regulations without additional effort on your part.
Advanced Technology
Specialized companies provide the latest technologies without upfront costs. They also ensure the use of sustainable products, aligning with Canada’s strong emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Outsourced Fleet Washing Cons
Outsourcing your washing needs also presents some disadvantages:
One of the main challenges of outsourcing fleet washing is ensuring effective communication and alignment with external service providers to maintain quality and efficiency.
Less Control
You will have limited oversight over the washing process, the procedures used, and any special requirements your fleet may have.
Scheduling Constraints
Although mobile cleaning stations are mitigating this issue, you still depend on your provider’s availability to some extent, which can impact your fleet’s operational schedule.
Variable Quality
While reputable fleet washing companies in Canada are generally reliable, there can still be inconsistencies in service quality depending on the provider.
Mitigating These Cons with Northern Touch Truck Wash
By choosing Northern Touch Truck Wash, you can overcome these challenges through our dedicated communication channels, strict quality control standards, flexible scheduling options, and consistent, reliable service across all our locations. We have a National Washout Procedure that ensures your fleet receives the highest level of care and attention, providing peace of mind and maintaining your brand’s professional image.
Making the Right Decision for Your Fleet: In-House vs. Outsourced Fleet Washing
Before deciding, consider the following steps that will impact your business management, equipment investment, crew training, and fleet uptime:
- Conduct a Thorough Needs Assessment:
• How large is your fleet?
• Do you have enough storage space for an in-house fleet washing setup?
• How specialized is the washing required (e.g., hazardous materials)?
• How frequently must fleet washing be performed to maintain an impeccable brand image on the road?
- Perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis:
• Compare the costs of in-house versus outsourced fleet washing.
• Consider long-term savings and potential hidden costs.
- Assess and Vet Service Providers:
• Choose Canadian-based fleet washing providers who understand local regulations and environmental conditions.
- Implement Pilot Programs:
• Test both in-house and outsourced solutions on a smaller scale to evaluate effectiveness and suitability.
- Consult with Stakeholders:
• Gather input from key stakeholders to ensure the chosen solution aligns with overall business goals.
Last Thoughts
Fleet washing is of strategic importance to your business for many reasons. Your fleet is a significant investment, and maintenance is crucial for preventing corrosion and ensuring the durability of your vehicles. There is also the safety concern of having clean windows and mirrors to avoid accidents. Moreover, a dirty fleet negatively impacts your brand’s reputation. Maintaining cleanliness is critical for sustaining a professional image, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you must keep cleaning staff on hand 24/7.
For organizations with large fleets, an in-house team might become overwhelmed and unable to complete the cleaning work within the required time. An outsourced fleet washing team can be a valuable resource in such scenarios.
Since fleet washing companies specialize in vehicle cleaning, they stay current with the latest equipment and technologies, ensuring your fleet benefits from advanced and efficient washing methods.
At Northern Touch Truck Wash, we cater to fleet managers’ needs by offering comprehensive cleaning solutions for various types of trucks, including, but not limited to, dry box, reefer, tanker, large garbage, livestock, and end dump smooth side trailers.
Additionally, our National Washout Procedure ensures the quality of our services is consistent across all of our Canadian locations.
Contact us today for a service tailored to your needs and experience the best fleet washing services in the market: Northern Touch Truck Wash Contact