Rob Wilson, Manager IPWEA FLEET 

Hello everyone and welcome to the first edition of FLEET intouch for 2017. No matter what your plans and priorities are this year, it’s unlikely that life is going to be any less busy than 2016.

The NHVR will also have a busy year with changes to Chain of Responsibility laws confirmed and planned to be introduced in 2018. In this edition, we point you towards some useful resources NHVR have prepared.

GPS and telematics continue to evolve and provide real benefits to fleet operations. In this edition, we look at Transdev Melbourne, a bus operator that has brought about significant change by the use of telematics. The learnings are potentially beneficial to any fleet operation.

IPWEA FLEET is very pleased to be able to start the new year by announcing Nissan as our newest corporate partner. Nissan will be the exclusive sponsor of FLEET intouch and we are looking forward to a long and strong partnership with them.

We have also opened nominations for theIPWEA FLEET Achievement Award. With Repco on board as our award partner, we are pleased to be offering the significant prize of a tool box worth $5000 and complimentary access to the IPWEA Australasian Fleet Conference for our national winner. Get your nominations in now!

Also in this edition, we continue our look at Fleet Management around the world, with the second of a two-part interview with Noel Ilao, Director, Bureau of Equipment with the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways. Noel has a large and diverse fleet distributed across the Philippines and is making great progress applying a best practice fleet management approach.

Remember it's likely your challenge is not unique and you may be able to benefit from the experience of your peers. If you have a particular challenge or question, why not ask a question on Ask Your Mates.