Challenge:
As Australia’s largest softwood sawmilling business, AKD manages a fleet spread across multiple states while pursing stringent safety measures, compliance with fatigue management regulations, and efficient fleet maintenance. But heavy reliance on time-consuming manual logs for driver hours was prone to human error, creating potential compliance risks under the Chain of Responsibility (CoR).
One of the biggest fears of the AKD management team, according to AKD’s National Freight & Logistics Manager Rachel Scilley, was that their drivers could exceed their hours under basic fatigue management. Rachel emphasized that a key priority for AKD, which also drew her to the company, is its strong commitment to safety. She noted that heavy vehicles inherently pose significant safety risks, making it essential to have the right personnel, training, and equipment in place.
This system has been a game changer for managing driver fatigue and speed, which has played a major role in our chain of responsibility policy. We've been proactive in minimising risk as much as possible, and this technology has played a big part in that effort.
- Rachel Scilley, National Freight & Logistics Manager
Solution:
Teletrac Navman’s electronic work diaries (EWD), Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) manager and fleet management through the TN360 provided the solution the AKD team needed.
EWDs transformed safety and compliance in ways that have been well received by drivers, who quickly adapted to the new system. The system ensures that safety and CoR compliance obligations are upheld across the entire supply chain.
With EWDs, drivers no longer face the burden of manually managing logbooks. Instead, they can rely on the automated diary to track rest breaks and hours accurately, ensuring they stay within their limits and reducing the risk of fatigue breaches. Rachel shared that after trialing the EWD with one of their long-term drivers, he became a strong advocate for the system. He quickly adapted to using it and focused on the work diary to evaluate its practical application. By the time the EWD was implemented for the entire team, there were no complaints—it was received very positively. This shift has boosted safety on the road and made compliance much easier for drivers, who appreciate the system’s support in keeping them well-rested and safe.
Recently, AKD completed an extensive audit, where the integration of TN360 proved crucial in helping AKD justify and maintain CoR compliance. The real-time tracking and alerts allow AKD to closely monitor driver performance and fatigue as well as providing essential insights into fleet management.
The FTC manager uses real-time high-definition second-by-second GPS location data from telematics installed in vehicles and equipment to calculate off-road travel and auxiliary fuel use to maximise fuel tax rebates. Reliance on manual calculation often means underclaiming to avoid the risk of penalties.
Automated fleet maintenance tracking also helped eliminate manual error allowing the maintenance manager to replace manual whiteboard logs with automated reminders, reducing the potential for maintenance delays and vehicle downtime.
Results:
AKD has achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency, safety compliance, and customer satisfaction through the implementation of the Teletrac Navman (TN360) fleet management platform. The following results highlight the key benefits experienced by the organization:
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Financial Savings: AKD received a substantial back payment from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) by leveraging fuel tax offsets, covering the costs of the TN360 solution.
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Enhanced Safety Compliance: The use of Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) has led to increased safety compliance across the fleet.
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Operational Efficiency and Oversight: The automated maintenance tracker promotes proactive servicing, while real-time tracking allows AKD to monitor fleet movements and provide precise location updates to customers.
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Real-time Tracking and Customer Satisfaction: The real-time tracking system has enabled accurate delivery updates, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and service reliability.
Through these advancements, AKD has successfully transformed its operations, prioritizing driver support, compliance, and exceptional service delivery while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and efficiency.
About AKD Pty Ltd:
Established more than 65 years ago, AKD, Associated Kiln Driers Pty Ltd, is a 100% Australian-owned forestry and timber processing company, employing over 1,000 people across the East Coast of Australia. With sawmills in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, AKD produces a range of high-quality timber products, servicing diverse sectors including housing, landscaping, and agriculture. Committed to sustainable practices and safety, AKD continues to lead in the industry by leveraging advanced technology to enhance operational efficiency and compliance.