02 May Fleet Response and AWP Safety: Unveiling the Power of Data-Driven Teamwork for Verified Results
These two Ohio companies share a long history of collaboration – and both have earned a national reputation for excellence.
Fleet Response was founded in Cleveland in 1986 to manage temporary business rentals. As client needs grew, they expanded into vehicle accident and maintenance management, later adding safety programs and comprehensive fleet management. They now have a nationwide network of vendors and more than 30,000 vehicle service providers, with clients that include Fortune 500 companies with fleets of 50 to 25,000 vehicles.
Launched just five years earlier, AWP Safety began as a small security guard and alarm firm in 1981. To meet client demand, they evolved into traffic control services and grew to become North America’s leading traffic control provider, protecting more than 700,000 worksites annually, with operations in 28 states and four Canadian provinces. AWP Safety’s innovative Smart Work Zone solutions combine human expertise with automation to advance safety for customers and communities.
The two companies have a working relationship dating back to 2008. You could say they’ve “grown up” together. In the initial years, Fleet Response managed just 400 vehicles for AWP Safety, but that responsibility has grown to more than 4,000 vehicles and a total of 8,000 assets.
It’s the story of a “power couple” working as a team, holding each other accountable, and achieving remarkable results.
BEATING INFLATION + IMPROVING REPAIR CYCLES
AWP Safety provides critical equipment and traffic control services for utility, broadband and infrastructure construction work that improves roadways and communities across the country.
“Our vehicles are involved in guiding traffic safely around active work zones with a lot of traffic, so unfortunately our vehicles do get hit at times,” explains Bob Adamsky, Fleet Director for AWP Safety. “Fleet Response has been a great partner in not only helping us find body shops but finding cost-effective measures to get vehicles back on the road quicker than if we were doing it on our own.”
Adamsky sees the clear advantage of working with a partner that understands the industry and can negotiate with body shops and towing companies – especially when inflation has driven parts and labor costs up by as much as 20%.
“The teamwork with Fleet Response helped us save a lot on repair costs last year and beat the cost of inflation. We were able to stay flat year-over-year in our repair costs – and significantly reduce our time off the road.” Besides controlling costs, Fleet Response has been able to cut cycle times as well. JD Power and Associates cites an average repair cycle time in 2023 at 23.1 days. But in partnership with Fleet Response, AWP Safety achieved a median repair time of just nine days – even improving their 2022 cycle time by 2 days.
With huge financial incentives to get vehicles back on the road, this is an especially crucial achievement. Tallying up 291 completed repairs for AWP Safety in 2023 accounts for almost 600 days in potential revenue-generating time – which adds up to a healthy $1.5 million annually. Adamsky points out the ultimate value of the Fleet Response partnership in a business where work is sometimes scheduled in less than 24 hours.
“These trucks and the people that drive them are our livelihood. If we don’t have a vehicle, we can’t deliver on a job. Getting them repaired and back on the road as quickly as possible and in the most economical way is part of what drives our business.”
ADDED VALUE OF SUBROGATION & SAFETY PROGRAMS
AWP Safety vehicles are on highways across the U.S. and Canada – so they’re vulnerable to being hit by other vehicles traveling those roads. When there’s a need to recover repair costs from a third-party insurance carrier, Fleet Response picks up the ball by immediately beginning the subrogation process. “Timing is critical on that,” says Adamsky. “Getting the vehicle in for estimates, getting the photos, any information and reports, and repairs started.” And after that – getting reimbursed by an insurance company.
While the amount of money recovered through subrogation typically totals 10-15% of physical damage costs for all reported claims, working with a Fleet Response subrogation specialist yields far better results. In fact, Fleet Response recovers as much as 53% of AWP Safety’s total accident management expense in subrogation. “They’ve done an incredible job for us, and they keep improving on their numbers every year,” says Adamsky.
In addition to accident management, AWP Safety also relies on Fleet Response for driver safety programs – including new hire programs and tracking Motor Vehicle Reports. Running MVRs at time of hire and throughout employment keeps AWP Safety informed of any incidents or violations that may impact a driver’s on-the-job performance. AWP can then address any issues when identified – something they consider especially critical for a safety company working to save and protect lives on the roads.
THE POWER OF STAYING IN TOUCH
AWP Safety’s five divisional fleet managers team up with managers from Fleet Response, all with the goal of reducing repair and claim cycle times.
“We basically have a direct connection per division, for approvals, for decisions to fix or to not repair, and where to take the vehicle. That close relationship has helped reduce cycle times and lower costs,” observes Adamsky.
Every two weeks, the Fleet Response team meets with AWP fleet managers via Zoom calls – which helps create personal connections, improve communication, speed up repairs and get vehicles back on the road.
“The reason our relationship with Fleet Response works so well is that we have their fleet managers on the ground and they’re true experts in fleet accident management,” says Adamsky. “When we put our two teams together, with both companies subject matter experts, we get results. There is no learning curve. Fleet Response knows what body work means, how long repairs should take, what the prices should be. That makes the difference.”
NATIONAL SCALE & REPUTATION
Having worked for several other companies, Adamsky has more than 30 years’ experience in managing large fleets. For a previous employer, he had worked with Fleet Response and describes them as a respected leader capable of managing fleets on a national scale. He’s seen no difference in how they react and handle accidents whether they happen in Ohio or in California and has found them to be experts at managing claims in the first hours of contact, between sending daily emails to open or close claims or contacting the fleet team per division.
“When professionals work with professionals – you will get professional results. That’s why it works so well with Fleet Response. We have the right people on both sides, that know their industry and know what they’re doing. They know how important this work is. And when there’s an incident on the road, our drivers and fleet manager have peace of mind knowing they can call and get a response immediately. They know they’ll have a vehicle quickly in hand when repairs are done – because without a truck, our drivers don’t get the work. All the way down to that level, speed and cost-efficiency are important. Fleet Response delivers.”
Fleet Response is making a difference for clients – with a proven record of success in subrogation and safety programs. But don’t take our word for it! Give us the opportunity to work on your claims and improve your reimbursement for losses. Learn more about Fleet Response subrogation management services.