A 3-step plan to reduce plant and equipment emissions

We have partnered with the GAP Group to digitise their operations and accelerate their journey to net-zero emissions. 

There is a growing awareness of the environmental impact of the construction sector, and the EU has set the industry a target of net neutral emissions by 2050.  And with a whopping 39% of all emissions produced by the building and construction industries, the equipment rental industry plays a central role. 

The Spartan team makes industrial companies more efficient, and here are our top 3 tips for rapidly reducing the emissions footprint of rental plant and equipment. 

Step 1: Replace all paper with workforce apps 

A simple way to have a huge impact on the environment is cutting paper consumption.  Turning a single tree into paper results in around 50Kg of C02 being released into the atmosphere and removes around 900Kg of absorption for the life of the tree.  That’s the equivalent of about 8,000Km worth of vehicle emissions per tree.  

In our experience, all operational paperwork can be removed and replaced with mobile workforce apps. PHALANX, our specialist rental app, automates logistics, warehouse, depot and field services, so there are no excuses for having any paper in your rental operation!

And removing paper also removes the error and delay required to process it, meaning your rental operations are greener and much more efficient.  

Step 2: Automate operational processes with Artificial Intelligence 

Removing paper also opens the door to a new generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that further enhance and automate your operations. 

Using AI to automatically monitor, predict, and react to changes in equipment and operations data unlocks many business opportunities.  

AI is like a 24x7x365 radar system, constantly looking for ways to improve customer service, increase plant and equipment performance, reduce emissions, and streamline logistics and service processes. 

AI algorithms will predict and prevent excessive soot production, inefficient fuel use, fuel spillage, fuel leakage, and over idling to protect the environment.  AI will auto-monitor and warn of underutilisation, overutilisation, wrong sizing and contract breach (e.g., time of day, running hours or location breaches). 

AI also supports the planning and logistics of equipment movements and equipment servicing.  Our PROPHES AI solution uses geo-fences to auto-receipt equipment at customer locations, enhance customer service, and provide a valuable track and trace capability.   

PROPHES also auto-receipts plant and equipment at the receiving depot, speeds up the turnaround process and improves equipment visibility at the depot

Step 3: Embrace predictive maintenance 

Predictive maintenance solutions, such as PROPHES, are one of the latest AI innovations that can help an organisation deliver net-zero carbon emissions. 

AI can reduce the cost of over and under maintaining plant and equipment.  AI continuously monitors equipment condition, and combined with equipment maintenance history, recommends maintenance work based on current or predicted equipment condition. Breakdown alerts are automatically ranked by severity, with maintenance work orders raised automatically or on approval by a fleet manager.  

Through only alerting required maintenance on a ‘needs must’ basis, predictive maintenance also keeps rental customers up and running, which improves customer service while reducing environmental impacts.   

Delivering net-zero targets while remaining profitable and resilient will be challenging. Our rental expertise and asset management technology can help you in this journey.  

To learn more about how effective asset management can help a rental company reach its operational and environmental goals, download our guide on ‘Asset Performance Management in Equipment Rental.’