For Tango Transport, focusing on PM training is already paying dividends in lower operating costs
Late-model trucks, notes Ken Eggen, director of maintenance at Tango Transport, require a focus on preventive maintenance. “The key to uptime and low costs is to find issues needing repair when PMs are performed,” he says. “Technicians on the shop floor need to have the information and training required to successfully inspect and maintain vehicles, and find and diagnose problems. If our equipment is right in the bay, it’s right on the road.”
Tango Transport Inc., headquartered in Shreveport, La., provides truckload dry freight and flatbed services in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Established in 1991 by the Gorman family, the company has steadily expanded its offerings. Today, from terminals in Shreveport and Sibley, La., West Memphis, Ark. and Madisonville, Ky., the carrier offers expedited, regional, logistics, supply chain management and dedicated services.
The Tango fleet consists of 661 company tractors and 2,000 trailers. Power units, including International ProStar and 9400i and Freightliner Columbia models, are all 2005 and newer. Trailers are primarily Utility dry vans, and there are about 130 Wabash and Fontaine flatbeds in the fleet as well.
PM is key
With a trade cycle averaging 44 months and 570 new vehicles in the fleet, according to Eggen, Tango’s goal is to perform only preventive maintenance. “To be competitive, we need to have the lowest possible cost per mile,” he states, “and for costs to trend downward, effective PM is the key.
“After reviewing data on our maintenance costs,” Eggen continues, “we concluded that changing specifications was only part of the path to lower costs. What we also recognized was that inconsistencies in our preventive maintenance program were preventing us from operating as cost effectively as possible. It was at that point that we decided to implement a full-fledged PM training initiative.”
It was also at this point that Tango turned for expert advice on addressing inconsistent PM procedures to DWS Fleet Management Services. Headed up by Darry W. Stuart, a 37-year fleet management veteran, the company is an independent “Limited Time Executive” transportation and fleet management business providing numerous services to a variety of companies.
Direct impact
“PM training is more important than training on specific systems and components,” Stuart says. “Fleet managers who understand that they are not in the maintenance business but rather in the asset utilization business will realize how PM can have a direct impact on vehicle utilization and on the bottom line.
“The focus today,” Stuart adds, “needs to be on understanding that PM is the most critical part of ensuring uptime. Even the shift to electronics makes troubleshooting more important. The key is to have a foundation in training so everyone becomes a pro at preventive maintenance.”
With Darry Stuart’s help, Tango developed a PM training program specific to its fleet, vehicles and operation. Adopted were highly detailed PM checklists and a plan for training the company’s 70 technicians at its shops in Sibley and Shreveport, La., and West Memphis, Ark.
“We started last December with training for the seven supervisors in our three shops,” Ken Eggen reports. “One conclusion we came to by talking to Darry Stuart was that our shop supervisors and managers are in the best position to help our technicians understand the importance of this process and willingly adopt the changes we’re making. They work together every day on the shop floor, so that relationship is a key to our program’s success.”
Highly detailed
The highly detailed PM checklists that Darry Stuart developed for the fleet are a key part of the PM training program put in place at Tango. Each sheet contains very specific information that includes steps for every procedure, as well as a how-to guide on using specific tools and diagrams of parts and components requiring inspection.
“The training program includes going over every line on the PM sheet to establish reasons why this is important for consistency,” Stuart says. “We know that if technicians understand this and know how to perform each task effectively with limited direct supervision, the program will be successful.”
Beginning in January of this year, Tango’s newly trained supervisors began instructing the fleet’s technicians in classroom settings and on the shop floor. The first phase of the program was completed in March.
“The program doesn’t end there,” Eggen adds. “We now require our managers to spend a full day in the PM bay every week, working with technicians to see what hands-on follow-up training might be needed. In addition, starting in May, a new full-time company trainer will begin spending a full week of each month in the PM bays of our shops.”
Shift in thinking
For Eggen, Tango’s commitment to PM training includes the belief that success comes from people understanding the expectations the company has of them, having the right tools to do the job and the support of the fleet’s management team. “Things have changed in the industry and we have to shift our thinking about how we do things to be successful,” he says.
As for measuring their efforts, Eggen reports that Tango has already realized a 2.5-cent drop in its per-mile maintenance costs. Other positive indicators, which he attributes in part to an emphasis on PM, include fewer road calls, less downtime and higher vehicle utilization rates. “Our costs are trending downward,” he concludes, “and putting this PM training program in place has definitely been a key part of that success.” 
Editor’s Note: DWS Fleet Management and Darry Stuart provide a variety of services to many progressive fleets in all trucking industry segments. Current and past clients are located throughout North America and in the Bahamas and South America. For more information, visit www.darrystuart.com or contact Darry Stuart at [email protected].
Tango Transport Trailer Specifications
Model: Utility 4000DX
Length: 53 ft.
Landing Gear: JOST
Axles: Hendrickson
Suspension: Hendrickson Air Ride
Oil Seals: Stemco Guardian
Brakes: Haldex
ABS: Meritor WABCO
Automatic Slack Adjusters: Bendix
Tires: General ST250
Lighting & Electrical: Grote LED
Tango Transport Tractor Specifications
Models: International 9400i, International ProStar, Freightliner Columbia
Wheelbase: 236 in.
Engines: Caterpillar, Cummins, and Detroit Diesel
Clutch: Eaton Fuller AutoClutch
Transmission: Eaton UltraShift
Driveshafts: Dana Spicer SPL250XL
Front Axle: Meritor, 13,200-lb. capacity
Front Suspension: Meritor
Power Steering: TRW
Rear Axle: Meritor RT-40-145
Wheel Seals: Stemco Guardian
Brakes: Meritor
ABS: Bendix
Automatic Slack Adjusters:Meritor
Parking Brakes: MGM
Rear Suspension: IROS
Wheels: Accuride, Polished Aluminum
Tires: Goodyear G395 and G372A
5th Wheel: Fontaine 6000 Series
Air Compressor: Bendix
Air Dryer: Bendix
Fan Clutch: Borg Warner
Batteries: Exide
Starter: Delco 39MT
Alternator: Delco 36-SI
Fuel Filter: Davco FuelPro
Lighting: Truck-Lite LED
Seats: National
Fuel Tanks: dual, 150-gal.
