With NexTraq, Wampum Hardware captured the data it needed to make informed decisions, while reducing operational costs.
CHALLENGE
Wampum Hardware needed a telematics solution that worked when the company’s blasting teams were in the field, particularly in very remote areas where cell service is unreliable or unavailable.
RESULT
- Increased Fleet Efficiency
- Reduced Risk
- Improved Reporting
- Streamlined Dispatching
- Increased Cost
Challenge
As one of the largest blasting companies in the United States, Wampum Hardware provides bulk explosives and complete blasting services to the coal mines and quarries of western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and Indiana. Today, 90% of Wampum’s business is contract blasting—making it one of the largest blasting companies in North America. Wampum’s fleet of equipment includes 23 large diameter drills, 60 bulk blasting agent trucks, and 9 tractors for trailer delivery.
“We’re a drilling and blasting company, so our crews are out in the middle of nowhere,” explained Bud Hrdlicka, Wampum Hardware Fleet Manager. “We were using another telematics solution, but we started shopping around when our contract was due for renewal. We don’t get cell service in some of our work areas, so that was our major concern. Plus, we looked closely at the equipment and the pricing to find a solution that worked for us.”
Solution
Bud found NexTraq®—a MICHELIN® group company—in his search for a telematics solution that would operate well in Wampum Hardware’s challenging work environments.
“I probably talked to every telematics company out there, and NexTraq was the most attractive company to go with,” Bud said. “We work in quarries and mines in very remote areas. NexTraq worked when our teams have limited cell service, and that’s what we needed.”
Results
With NexTraq, Wampum Hardware was able to maximize its fleet resources—saving the company time and money. One of the biggest benefits was improvements to the dispatching process.
“Our people need to know where our trucks are,” Bud explained. “Because of the nature of our work, we’re always trying to determine where our team is, when they’ll be done, and what’s the next job. NexTraq shows us our trucks, trailers, and everything else right on a map.”
Bud found NexTraq®—a MICHELIN® group company—in his search for a telematics and trailer tracker solution that would operate well in Wampum Hardware’s challenging work environments.
“I probably talked to every telematics company out there, and NexTraq was the most attractive company to go with,” Bud said. “We work in quarries and mines in very remote areas. NexTraq worked when our teams have limited cell service, and that’s what we needed.”
Fleet Utilization
Fleet utilization is a big part of Bud’s job. With NexTraq, Wampum can track all its fleet equipment to improve fleet utilization. Bud also receives maintenance reminders and requests, and integrated NexTraq with the company’s Fleetio fleet management system.
“The ability to see where our equipment is at any given time with NexTraq also helps us track hours and miles, which makes maintenance easier,” he explained. “Plus, it shows us how much our teams use specific equipment, or what equipment we’re not using. We want to know how long our equipment is running, where it is, and where it’s been.”
Reporting
NexTraq provides the reporting capabilities Bud needed to make informed decisions while reducing operational cost at the same time.
“I look at the fleet summary reports, and my safety guy looks closely at the Driver Safety Score Cards,” Bud said. “And that’s only the beginning. NexTraq has a ton of reports that we’re still exploring.”
Easy Installation
Wampum Hardware installed its own equipment, a process that gave Bud hands-on experience with the NexTraq equipment. The installation process went extremely smoothly, particularly compared to Bud’s experience with other telematics and trailer tracker vendors.
“When I get the NexTraq equipment installed, it’s already registered on my computer,” Bud said. “With our prior telematics solution, that was a manual process where I’d have to make a phone call, and then it took more time to come online. With NexTraq, the equipment powers up and automatically has the signal. Now I can install one of these units in 15-20 minutes per vehicle. When you have more than 50 pieces of equipment, that saves me a lot of time. And now, everything’s working great.”
Beyond these benefits, Bud credits his NexTraq sales representative and the customer service team with making the transition as smooth as possible.
Every time I call or text my rep, they get back to me right away—usually in 5-10 minutes or in an email if they can’t call at that moment,” Bud said. “If I’ve needed something replaced or there’s an issue, the NexTraq customer service team gets it fixed right away. Out of all the vendors I deal with, NexTraq is the most responsive of them all.”
About WAMPUM HARDWARE CO.:
In 1904, brothers Charles and Francis Davis purchased Wampum Hardware Company, a general hardware and explosive store in Wampum, PA. This rambling rural store was quick to become a household name, as well as a dependable resource for necessities like building materials, barbed wire fencing, and dynamite. In the 1960s, under the fourth-generation leadership of Jerry Davis and Paul Davis, Wampum decided to go beyond selling farm goods and cases of explosives. Looking to the future, the company plunged into the business of providing bulk explosives and complete blasting services to the coal mines and quarries of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio and Indiana. Today, 90% of Wampum’s business is contract blasting – making it one of the largest blasting companies in North America.
“I probably talked to every telematics company out there, and NexTraq was the most attractive company to go with. We work in quarries and mines in very remote areas. NexTraq worked when our teams have limited cell service, and that’s what we needed.”
Bud Hrdlicka
Hardware Fleet Manager
Wampum Hardware Co.