Terry Bickerton was recently recognised for demonstrating excellence in fleet management.
He is the Head of Fleet and Equipment at Australia Post which includes the StarTrack division.
“Australia Post and StarTack operates one of the largest and most diverse fleets in Australia from small motorcycles through to large linehaul prime movers,” said Bickerton.
“I was honoured to be named AfMA’s Fleet Manager of the Year for 2022 but I could not achieve this without the great work done by my fleet team and the support from senior management.
“Australia Post goes to exhaustive lengths to ensure that the vehicles are as safe as we are able to make them – adding many of the additional safety features as possible to the vehicles.
“We also carry out exhaustive testing and consultation with drivers prior to taking the vehicles onto the road.”
Prestige Truck Bodies owner, Paul Williams, confirms the number one priority of Australia Post and Bickerton’s ethos is safety.
“The team obligation was getting in and out of the vehicles 20, 30, 40, 50 times a day so we developed an exit and entry point from the side – a stairwell – so getting in and out of the vehicle is simple.”
Bickerton also attributes heavy vehicle telematics as a key factor in improving driver safety and maintenance.
“The introduction of in-cab cameras has helped bring previously unknown details to our attention to allow us to work with drivers – coaching and developing them to become safer users on the road.
“The system has paid benefits reducing collision leading risk by 64 per cent and heavy vehicle collisions by 21 per cent.”
The Australia Post fleet, according to Bickerton, also forms part of the business’ sustainability plan.
“The introduction of zero emission delivery vehicles in 2017 now having grown to 2,500 as well as the introduction of the first zero emission factory built truck into Australia and the conversions of passenger vehicles to hybrid also helped reduce Australia Post fleet impact on the environment.”
The AfMA Fleet Awards seek to identify advances in best practice in fleet management and to bring these to the attention of its members and the industry.
Since their introduction in 1996 the awards have recognised new approaches and applications that have produced substantial reductions in costs, lowered emissions and improved safety outcomes.
Drawing attention to advances in fleet management techniques, the application of technology, fleet safety and raising awareness of the fleets’ impact on the environment, the Awards have inspired many to begin their own voyage towards best practice.