Fleet Management Program Consolidates Vehicle and Equipment Purchases

Innovation is a cornerstone of Block by Block, and with the recent addition of the Fleet & Vehicle Program, we’re exploring how centralizing vehicle purchasing and equipping can benefit both our teams and our customers.  

Derreck Hughes, Vice President of Operations, said the Fleet program originated in Block by Block’s Louisville Lab during the spring of 2024 to explore efficiency and cost-saving measures. He found that leasing through “big-box” companies and sourcing vehicles locally didn’t offer the purchasing power or market controls needed for operations. His solution was to centralize purchasing and branding to allow equipment to arrive at our local operations fully outfitted and ready for field deployment. Hughes said that by standardizing equipment selection, Block by Block can ensure uniform vehicle specifications and layouts across the fleet, as well as improved inventory control, streamlined maintenance, and scripting specific training for the most used items. 

Block by Block vehicles are now purchased directly through a corporate program with Ford. Hughes said in addition to a savings increase, buying factory direct allows us to predict procurement needs and inventory our fleet. Having equipment “on the shelf” — as opposed to ordering once a need arises — can cut lead times down by several weeks. And because the trucks are built in Louisville, “it’s also giving back to the community,” he added.  

Block by Block has also begun working with local vehicle wrap vendors to ensure prioritized scheduling, so vehicles are sent to customers ready to be deployed as quickly as possible. The centralized service approach allows all vehicles to be equipped with safety features such as telematic GPS systems and dashboard cameras, and items to aid operations like truck cages and accessory lighting packages. To manage this new Fleet program, Block by Block named James Wells the Director of Fleet Operations and Innovation. James brings more than 20 years of equipment, logistics, and operations experience to the position. 

“The key for us is creating consistent vehicle packages that improve operational efficiency while taking the burden off of the local management teams,” said Wells.   

Fleet purchasing centralization is also being extended to equipment including pressure washing and information trikes, Tenax street sweepers, GEM EV utility vehicles, leaf vacuums and relay communication devices. This means the company can leverage greater savings and cost effectiveness, as well as better plans for repair cycles and reduce downtime and emergency repairs. 

With the recent enhancements to Block by Block’s reporting system, the SMART System, the company has visibility into the usage and maintenance intervals of our entire fleet to help make data-driven decisions about what equipment works for public spaces.   

“When you have powerful data at your fingertips, we can make better decisions on how to improve our operations through our equipment fleet, how we support our managers and ultimately, how we provide better service to our customers,” Hughes said.