Fleet Manager Spotlight is a new Fleet Management Weekly bi-weekly series. Compiled by Marketing Consultant Tod Trousdell of RobertsTrousdell Communications, the series features insights from top fleet leaders on some of the industry’s most important topics.
In this, our first installment, we talk with fleet manager Ted Chan of Schindler Elevator.
1) What do you see as the biggest challenges facing fleet in 2024?
Great question, and up until recently I’d say supply chain, but it’s something that is changing constantly. Right now, I’d have to say sustainability and carbon reduction. They’re issues that seem to evolve daily and something the industry will be facing for a long time. I’m hearing that from a lot of fleet managers, especially ones who are just jumping into EVs. They’re looking for advice and best practices. Getting there (carbon neutrality) isn’t going to happen overnight and that’s creating a lot of concerns – but also a lot of opportunities – and a long runway to explore the options.
2) What are the biggest challenges facing your fleet at Schindler?
Definitely carbon neutrality is top of mind as we have aggressive mandates that call for a zero carbon footprint by 2040. We were an early EV adopter, so we’ve learned a lot of important lessons along the way and there’s still a long way to go. Without a doubt the whole industry will see a lot of twists and turns before things settle down into a rhythm but we’re definitely on our way.
The other challenge – and I think the whole industry is facing this – is helping people become better fleet professionals. And training. They’re things we’re very focused on – just getting better at the basics and operationally so we’re prepared to meet our aggressive mandates and be the best fleet we can.
3) Looking at the industry today, what excites you most about fleet?
Just the unknowns around fleet, and really the whole world. It’s challenging to figure out the best way to do things. And to have the opportunity to help determine the future of our company and industry. I’m just a car guy – hell, I’ll read a brochure on mini vans – so being involved in fleet at a time when so much is evolving is really exciting to me. I look forward to it every day!
4) What about the fleet industry keeps you up at night?
Honestly, the same thing that concerns me about the world in general. We just live in a very different time than when I was a kid, and you didn’t really worry about things as much. To me, the world is not necessarily that way anymore. That’s something that translates to what I’m seeing in fleet – just a lot of unknowns so I – really all of us at Schindler – have to be ready for anything (and I guess that’s just life in general these days.
5) How would you compare the fleet industry pre-COVID vs post-COVID?
That’s really a moving target and something I’d say has changed a lot. Right now, I’d just say they are very different times. Pre-covid the margin of error was bigger; you had a lot of room to make decisions. Today you really have to be more calculated to be successful. All in all, that’s a good thing because it’s made everyone a better fleet manager. You just have to be on top of things today to accomplish what you want because there’s no guarantee that what you need will always be available.
And then Ted was kind enough to answer our Lightning Round questions…
- Birthplace: In a dirt house in China
- Years in fleet/years at Schindler: 12.5 in fleet / 2.5 @ Schindler
- True passion: World travel – in fact I’m headed to Greece this week!
- Favorite food: Thai
- Favorite color: Gray
- Favorite pastime: Going down the Jersey Shore / Boardwalk
- Favorite movie and actor: Mission Impossible Series / Tom Cruise
- Favorite sport: Formula 1
- Funny first day on the job thing: For my first job after college, I had to postpone my first day because I had chicken pox
- First job factoid: My nickname at my first job was “The Book” as I can identify alloy wheels by make and model by sight vs referring to the Hollander Book
- Superpower: I am king of deals and can sell/flip anything for a profit. Some people call me a “hustler” (but in a good way)!
- Dog or cat: Dog
- Mentor: My Father
And finally…
Words of Wisdom from fleet manager Ted Chan
“Focus on what you can control and always leave room for family and friends – the real heroes are saving lives out there.”
