A Fleet Fueling Guide For Businesses: How To Choose A Diesel Fuel Supplier
Fuel prices continue to rise worldwide, triggering a domino effect that negatively affects the private and business sectors. Inflation has left households adjusting their consumption and spending habits while companies are resorting to cost-saving measures.
Such measures could include switching to another cheaper fuel supplier on top of route optimization.
However, cutting operational expenses shouldn’t compromise product creation and service delivery. This holds true regardless of which sector you may be in as an entrepreneur.
The cost isn’t your only concern when looking for a diesel fuel supplier. As a business owner, you must evaluate your requirements and ensure that your chosen company can fulfill these needs. The following tips will guide you through picking your company’s diesel fuel provider.
- Set your fuel requirements
Calculate your daily, monthly, and yearly business requirements before discussing with a diesel fuel supplier and getting their assurance for a reliable supply. Besides having stringent rules, the key to effectively managing your fleet is ensuring your refueling needs are met.
According to the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association, private and business sectors consume 6 billion liters of road transport fuels yearly, excluding fuel products consumed by other industries. Meanwhile, the Energy Information Agency reported that the transport sector’s diesel fuel consumption in the United States was 128 million gallons daily in 2021.
- List your supplier must-haves
After arriving at figures, analyze your operations and determine specific needs. While fuel requirements differ from company to company, it’s vital to have answers to these crucial questions:
- Can they meet my demands?
An unreliable supplier can drag your business down and lead to costly mistakes and missed income opportunities. This should be the most important consideration when picking a diesel fuel supplier.
- Do they supply high-quality fuel?
Look for a diesel fuel’s Cetane rating or number, assigned from 0 to 100. A higher rating means higher combustion speeds, which result in better fuel economy, lower emissions, and better performance and power.
Otherwise, ensure that you’re getting a product that meets regulatory requirements and the demands on the road. For instance, some countries require diesel products with low sulfur content. Similarly, other diesel fuel suppliers may have premium products with additives that ensure optimal performance even in harsh road environments.
- How are their industry reputation and customer service?
Always check the contractor’s reputation by reading unbiased reviews and keeping in touch with at least two commercial clients. Ask about the downsides and upsides of dealing with the supplier in question. Moreover, check if they have the necessary business licenses, industry accreditations, and other certifications.
Talking with former and current customers gives insights into where the company’s customer service stands. Look for a diesel fuel supplier with a presence on all touchpoints online and offline. More importantly, your chosen company must be responsive and efficient in addressing your issues and concerns.
Listing your must-haves will make the selection easier and guarantee a wise decision.
- Research and compare
If you have a few diesel fuel suppliers in mind, head to their website and check. Compare their prices and offers to see which options are the best for your company. Read what their consumers say about their reliability, product quality, customer service and communication, and other essential factors, as discussed above.
Shopping around this way is easier, although it shouldn’t replace a critical step: talking to the company representative. Initial discussions with the diesel fuel supplier provide insights into how they conduct their business.
- Schedule an initial discussion
Ask specific questions when meeting with the contractor. For instance, ask your supplier if they can deliver anytime and how the ordering, refueling, payment, and other processes go. Ideally, this initial meeting should be held in the contractor’s office. Otherwise, you can ask for their location and see whether they can easily access diesel fuel and other products from there.
In addition, ask for special services and perks that the diesel fuel supplier could and might agree to offer. So don’t hesitate to negotiate for better prices and terms.
- Ask for a quote and contract
Ask for a document detailing the products you intend to purchase and the services expected from the contractor. If you’ve agreed on a specific price, for instance, confirm that it’s written on the contract, so your business is protected from unreasonable price hikes while ensuring a steady supply of diesel fuel.
Granting that everything is fair for both parties, you can sign a contract agreement for the partnership. However, check the terms and conditions for terminating the contract to protect your company if the deal goes south.
Final thoughts
In a highly competitive business environment, time is money. Failing to move whenever and wherever you want leads to productivity, efficiency, and revenue losses. Finding a reputable and trustworthy diesel fuel supplier is the key to smooth operations. Hence, a steady and reliable diesel fuel supply is crucial to any enterprise.
Performing the above steps help businesses get the most value for their spending. That’s because choosing the right supplier is like gaining the right business partner; they help you move forward and grow.
