Franz Fehlner explains Allianz’s winning strategy in webinar Global Fleet Managers Club
What are the building blocks of an award-winning global fleet and mobility strategy and how do you set it up? Few are better placed to talk on that subject than Franz Fehlner, Global Fleet Manager at Allianz and runner-up Global Fleet Manager of the Year at the 2018 Fleet Europe Awards. And on 20 March, in a webinar for the members of the Global Fleet Managers Club (GFMC), he did just that.
With a presence in more than 70 countries and a total of more than 900 business entities, Allianz has a global fleet of just over 18,000 vehicles. Of these, 90% are benefit vehicles – and that’s a challenge if you want to install a rigid, centralised fleet approach focused on harmonisation and cost-efficiency.
Customer-centric
“Key to our fleet success is a 360° fleet management programme that puts our internal customer first,” Fehlner explained. That customer-centric programme has four essential elements:
- Mastering cost (via supplier management);
- Green fleet development (with a focus on emission-friendly vehicle selection);
- Increasing digitisation; and
- Excellence in governance (with respect for local and regional requirements).
“To deploy this programme, we installed a Global Fleet Center of Excellence,” Mr Fehlner added. This Center is responsible for managing the outsourcing provider and implementing new providers and suppliers; for ensuring that SLAs are met; and for securing policy-compliant processes.
Green and smart
Allianz is making an effort to roll out a truly green fleet programme: in just a few years, the entire fleet’s average CO2 emissions have dropped from 250 to 110 g/km. More than 10% of new-ordered vehicles are hybrids or full-electrics. “And the share of new powertrains will only increase in the years to come,” Mr Fehlner predicted.
Next up is smart mobility, which Allianz is already piloting in various markets, with carsharing in France and company bikes at HQ in Munich. “It’s our job to deliver excellence, not just in fleet management but also in overall employee mobility management. That’s why we’re working towards a strategy that incorporates new mobility initiatives in addition to the company car, in line with the development of MaaS.”
The Global Fleet Managers Club is a networking and best-practice-sharing community aimed exclusively at global and regional fleet customers. Sharing expertise and experiences between peers on a 'give and take' basis allows all involved to gain valuable insights on how to improve their performance.
Yearly meetings
The Club's activities include several meetings each year, both physical and 'virtual', like the webinar – exclusive for GFMC members – with Mr Fehlner. Here's what's coming up in the next few months:
- 14-15 May: Smart Mobility Institute in Brussels – MaaS workshop to define the common requirements for Mobility-as-a-Service. Information via Steven Schoefs – sschoefs@nexuscommunication.be
- 15-16 May: Connected Fleets Conference in Brussels. GFMC members have the unique opportunity to take part in the hosted buyer programme and meet with a top selection of supplier representatives free of charge (instead of €750).
Unique forum
“The Global Fleet Managers Club provides fleet managers with global or regional responsibility with a unique forum to exchange views and experiences with their peers”, says Steven Schoefs, Editor in Chief of Fleet Europe, which supports the GFMC.
Anybody wanting to take advantage of the opportunities listed above, is most welcome to apply for membership. Please contact Aline Verpoorten at averpoorten@nexuscommunication.be
