Welcome to ConMet’s Blog
Information and insight to what is going on in the industry and behind the doors of ConMet.
How to Prepare For the Fleet Maintenance Shift of an Electric Era
March 2023 - One of the many benefits of electrifying commercial vehicles is EVs often have reduced maintenance needs. Electric tractors and refrigerated trailers have far fewer moving parts than traditional diesel trucks and reefers, requiring less overall maintenance and offering fleet managers the opportunity to simplify maintenance schedules. Like…
Why The Commercial Vehicle Industry Is Turning To Lightweight Components
March 2023 - Today’s global commercial vehicle industry is facing many challenges, from supply chain uncertainties to accelerating climate change. Thanks to the resilience and innovation prevalent in this industry, creative solutions are being implemented to counter these challenges and ensure goods continue to reach their destination without interruption. The…
Telematics and the Road to Fleet Maintenance Autonomy
February 2023 - As more organizations are adopting fleet telematics technology, maintenance programs are becoming smarter, more efficient, and more effective. These systems are upping the ante on traditional preventative maintenance by introducing the ability to detect early life wear of critical components that may need to be serviced prior to…
3 Ways to Enhance Your Preventative Maintenance Program
January 2023 - Preventative maintenance is make-or-break for commercial vehicles. Ignoring this critical component of fleet management can lead to breakdowns, missed deadlines, poor customer experience, and other undesirable and costly repercussions. On the other hand, when a comprehensive preventative maintenance program is implemented – and adhered to – fleets…
How electrification of commercial vehicles improves total cost of ownership (TCO)
January 2023 - The adoption of electric vehicle technology is becoming more common in the commercial vehicle industry, as new regulations are cracking down on emissions and fleets are establishing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. But one benefit that isn’t necessarily top of mind when fleets are considering commercial…
How telematics help fleets capitalize on cost savings during winter months
For commercial vehicle fleets, the winter months mean an increase in operating costs. When assets are exposed to cold temperatures, moisture, salt, and other ice-melting chemicals, parts are vulnerable to early-life wear and more frequent maintenance is required. Drivers must also use extra caution in harsh conditions, and processes like…
Replace and Save: Why rebuilding wheel hubs is costing fleets money
Commercial vehicle fleets are constantly adapting to fluctuating market conditions, increasing customer expectations, and supply chain volatility, among a multitude of other factors. As fleets are working to strike the right balance between the needs of their customers and good business decisions, they tend to focus on a critical metric:…
How Fleets Leverage Digital Technology to Maximize Safety Efforts
The rise of digital technology in today’s trucking industry is helping fleets maximize the effectiveness of their safety and compliance efforts. In addition to the top concern of the wellbeing of drivers, loads, and customers, fleets cannot ignore compliance issues that can lead to missed or late deliveries and potentially…
High-Voltage Safety Insights for Fleets Adopting Electric Vehicle Technology
The benefits of electric commercial vehicles are becoming more widely understood in the industry today – increased fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions, simpler maintenance, quieter engines, and so on. But for safe and efficient operation, it is imperative to also fully understand the proper maintenance and service procedures of these…
Driver Tips for Wheel End Pre-Trip Inspections
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently conducted its annual International Roadcheck. A 72-hour targeted inspection and enforcement program aiming to educate the industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations. The focus of the event this year was the wheel end. According to CVSA,…
Spotlight on Wheel End Safety
International Roadcheck, an annual three-day event sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in cooperation with North American regulatory agencies, kicked off on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. During the 72-hour event, CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle and driver…
Preventative Maintenance: A Critical Step To Managing Your Fleet
Preventive maintenance is the practice of scheduling regular service for a fleet, rather than waiting until a repair is necessary on a broken down and out-of-service vehicle. Regularly servicing vehicles takes the guesswork out of managing the fleet, ultimately saving time, money, and frustration. Increase uptime and safety while avoiding…
Gain Efficiencies with Reefer Electrification in the Face of Supply Chain Uncertainties
Labor and material shortages across the globe have impacted life and industry throughout the supply chain, from manufacturers who are struggling to procure raw materials to the consumers who are unable to find the products they need. Sometimes overlooked in the discussion is that the supply chain itself has its…
How Telematics Services Help Fleets Overcome the Effects of Supply Chain Challenges
The US trucking industry faces pressure from a struggling global supply chain and an unprecedented increase in demand for delivered goods. One major challenge is the inability for commercial vehicle manufacturers to keep up with new builds, stemming from material and worker shortages. Even if these shortages begin to improve,…
How the Role of the Fleet Maintenance Technician is Evolving
Class 8 trucks are being reimagined to solve today’s most pressing challenges — lowering emissions, increasing fuel efficiency, and improving safety, to name a few — and maintenance technicians need to keep up with a host of additional, specialized skills. Traditionally, fleet maintenance technicians are highly trained experts that perform…
Four Reasons To Use Smart Truck Technology
As truck telematics continues to evolve, it is important to stay ahead of the curve on intelligence and data science. Only smart technology can provide the actionable intelligence that will help fleets make better, more precise maintenance decisions and improve their operations. Many people aren’t aware that wheel hubs and…
Fleets weigh repair-versus-replace maintenance dilemma every day
Technicians deal with these decisions all the time: Rebuild complex assemblies—work that costs a lot of time and money—or simply replace them, which often comes with a smaller price tag and less effort. The tech shortage has only magnified this issue. Truck drivers traverse tens of thousands of miles each…
Connected Technology and Autonomous Trucking: Then, Now, and in the Future
Fueled by an unrelenting need to increase safety and optimize efficiencies, connected technology is shaping the future of transportation and bringing the industry another step closer to autonomous trucking. In the commercial vehicle industry, professionals are always looking to enhance key areas of their business, from the total cost of…
The Zero-Emission Trailer Solves Challenges of Electric TRU
The race to decrease emissions on transport refrigeration units (TRUs) is posing a major hurdle to commercial fleets. A zero-emission electric trailer is now available, to not only curb emissions but also reduce noise and brake wear. Across the commercial vehicle industry, tightening regulations and an increased focus on Corporate…
Overcoming Today’s Challenges in Telematics
Isaac Otto, ConMet's digital product manager, talks about shifting the focus of onboard telematics from raw data points to integrated systems that deliver actionable intelligence and improve fleet profitability. In recent years, onboard telematics has helped the commercial vehicle industry tackle a lot of today’s most pressing issues, including safety…
