Bergey’s Truck Centers Acquires Cumberland Truck
Bergey’s Truck Centers Acquires Cumberland Truck
Nearly two-thirds of heavy-duty fleet maintenance shops are understaffed due to the ongoing diesel tech shortage.
For fleet managers that maintain their own trucks, fewer hands on the wrenches quickly translates to longer wait times, deferred preventive maintenance, and immobilizing vehicle downtime that threatens the bottom line.
We feel this pain too. That’s why we’ve talked with our service managers and created a practical, survival blueprint for fleet operations looking to keep their trucks running smoothly during a tech shortage. By exploring high-yield maintenance strategies, remote diagnostic tools, external mobile maintenance partnerships, and intentional shop floor culture shifts, you will learn how to optimize your current team’s efficiency, add additional assets and protect your fleet from extended operational downtime.
Preventive maintenance is always important, but when your shop is lean, this seemingly simple task becomes a key maintenance strategy. When your trucks are properly maintained, they have less chance of issues down the road, causing longer downtime and tying up precious tech time and can save money in the long run.
Today’s trucks are basically massive computers on wheels. Everything they do is captured and recorded. Use this valuable information to your advantage.
Whether you are a single shop with a few techs or a multi-location operation with many techs, giving them a simple tool they can use for internal tech support and open discussions is always helpful. They can learn from each other and teach each other, saving on productivity time trying to figure out situations that may be new to one tech but already solved by another. Simple instant messaging tools and aps work great, or your organization may have other ways to open communications for the tech team.
While you may try to manage all maintenance internally, there are always needs outside the norm. One maintenance strategy that helps with a tech shortage is to have a reliable partner for the jobs that are beyond your capacity.
When shops are short-staffed, burnout accelerates. Replacing a skilled diesel mechanic can cost nearly twice their annual salary. But it’s important to realize that true retention isn’t just about the paycheck, it’s about making your team feel seen, heard, and respected.
