Fleetowner 2506 Oildrainsm
Fleetowner 2506 Oildrainsm
Fleetowner 2506 Oildrainsm
Fleetowner 2506 Oildrainsm
Fleetowner 2506 Oildrainsm

Selling oil-- and more

May 29, 2008
A top executive in the lube industry thinks services – from engine oil analysis to data benchmarking – will be the most critical factor in winning and keeping fleet customers in the near future

A top executive in the lube industry thinks services – from engine oil analysis to data benchmarking – will be the most critical factor in winning and keeping fleet customers in the near future.

“Within lubricants, we’ve found you must talk solutions today – not just products,” Steve Harman, president of Shell’s U.S. lubricants business, told FleetOwner. “It’s about focusing on the total value we can provide customers, from helping them reduce their maintenance costs to improving fuel efficiency for their equipment. Because the more efficient we help customers become, the more profit they will make – and that helps both of us in the long run.”

Harman said Shell is beefing up its investments in research and dedicated staffing to the transportation market on a global basis, with 100 people dedicated to the needs of the North American market alone. “North America represents 30% of the global lubricants business, especially because the distances traveled in the U.S. are so long and so much of the freight is moved by road. The U.S. is much more reliant on road freight compared to Europe.”

He said that U.S. fleets also tend to be more sophisticated and more open to exploring different solutions to help them reduce costs and boost the efficiency of their operations. “That’s because, going forward, transportation faces a number of significant challenges – not the least being more stringent emission standards,” Harman noted. “Fleets are far more interested in managing the total cost of their operation today, not just lubricants and engine oils.”

To that end, Shell is tapping into its global data pool, compiled from years of work with fleet customers all over the world, to provide more detailed benchmarking information for fleets serving specific niches and helping them better manage their operations. “We’re doing this even for small fleets and owner-operators, the ones running just one truck,” Harman said. “Leveraging that information will help even the smallest operator make improvements.”

Above all, providing this type of assistance will require longer-term and more personal relationships with customers, said Harman. “About 70% of my personal time right now is spent in the field with customers and prospects, figuring out what their needs are and how we can meet them,” he said. “With the challenges posed by high fuel prices and the U.S. economic slowdown, everyone is interested in finding ways to improve their bottom line.”

View more Fleet Owner news relating to alternative fuels, fuel conservation, fuel economy and diesel fuel prices.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean reports and comments on trends affecting the many different strata of the trucking industry -- light and medium duty fleets up through over-the-road truckload, less-than-truckload, and private fleet operations Also be sure to visit Sean's blog Trucks at Work where he offers analysis on a variety of different topics inside the trucking industry.

Sponsored Recommendations

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

How to Choose the Right Route Planning Solution

This free buyer's guide will help equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to analyze route planning software and vendors in the market and, ultimately, make an informed...

How to Put Your Trucking Data to Work

How fleets can overcome data overload to optimize operations and get ahead.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!