Maintaining Assurance of Supply in Good Times and Bad

Assurance of supply: It’s the confidence in supply chains to fulfill demand. While during pandemics and economic downturns some factors may be out of your control, there are still many avenues a fleet management provider can take to create a highly dependable and effective supplier partner network.

Wheels has a multi-step supplier partner management program that includes detailed selection, evaluation, contract management, onboarding, relationship management and performance optimization processes. Proper oversight of the end-to-end process ensures the supply chain can deliver in good times and bad.

Early in the pandemic, many fleet professionals were uncertain how stay-at-home orders would affect the supply base. Wheels took immediate action by increasing communications with our suppliers to stay on top of the latest developments. Sharing these developments across our company was essential for providing timely communications to our clients.

However, these activities would have come late if Wheels wasn’t already planning for uncertain times. Here is some insight into how Wheels’ time-tested process has provided assurance of supply throughout the vehicle life cycle.

Supply Challenges And Vehicle Acquisition

Our fleet consulting managers recommend a diverse selector to ensure our customers are not relying on a sole provider when a potential disaster or pandemic hits. If customers choose to sole source, having a backup supplier with coverage in each vehicle segment can help ensure preparation for gaps or delays in the supply chain.

Wheels has established relationships with all 12 auto manufacturers that support fleet customers with factory ordering.  We also meet with manufacturers regularly to discuss current events and to keep our organization and our clients updated as the automotive supply chain changes. Through our relationships and system integration with the vehicle manufacturers, we ensure our customers’ vehicle acquisition needs are met.

Navigating Supply Challenges That Affect Maintenance

Vehicle maintenance and repairs were upended for many suppliers. However, Wheels diverted resources to suppliers that had comprehensive business continuity plans in place.  Focusing on business continuity drives our actions to maintain a sustainable, yet ever-evolving supply chain.

For example, we monitored the status of our national partners. Where shops were closed, we shifted to alternative shops and on-the-road maintenance with suppliers like Ford Service Dealers, Firestone and Your Mechanic.  Having mobile maintenance services available to our customers when needed provides not only reliable services but also offers a convenient option so they may stay safe during these uncertain times.

Challenges in Supply Through The Remarketing Phase

Wheels greatly cares about performance optimization, which is why we’ve developed a time-tested, winning remarketing strategy no matter the case. Before the pandemic, up to 40% of vehicle sales occurred online. So when auctions closed or went simulcast-only, Wheels’ process and well-established brand allowed dealers and other buyers to feel confident purchasing from Wheels.

Additionally, Wheels’ multi-level selling stream provides many opportunities to sell the vehicle at the highest price, such as direct to driver and clients’ employees, dealer networks and through the auctions.

No matter the situation, Wheels has you covered. Where was assurance of supply most tested within your fleet? Let me know at bbanas@wheels.com.