Dutch and Belgian Limburg-based construction company Van de Kreeke Groep is committed to sustainability. Van de Kreeke Groep operates in road building, construction and special and installation techniques. With an associated large and diverse fleet of vehicles and machinery, it is a self-evident requirement for them to limit CO2 emissions as much as possible. In doing so, they act in accordance with European directives, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The CO2 reduction objectives achieved have resulted in Van de Kreeke Groep being awarded level 5 on the CO2 performance ladder (Dutch: CO2-prestatieladder). At Van de Kreeke Groep, however, sustainability goes beyond CO2 reduction and ‘taking care of the climate’. For them, sustainability is about taking care of tomorrow. By deploying smart technology, they optimise operations and thus their sustainability, to stay ahead.
Van de Kreeke Groep has grown over the years in part by making several acquisitions. As a result, they used multiple fleet management systems within the organisation, based on 2G technology. With the mandatory switch from 2G to 4G connectivity, Van de Kreeke Group was forced to look out for a new fleet management system. This was simultaneously a moment to make a virtue out of necessity.
“As we operate in many different sectors from construction & infrastructure to installation and sewage engineering, we were looking for a total solution in which we could not only monitor our vehicles, but also all other assets within the same platform. The aim was to better manage the fleet and all equipment. In addition, we wanted more insight to further reduce CO2 and easily generate reports for the required environmental legislation,” says Michel Hofman, Head of Equipment at Van de Kreeke Groep. “An additional condition was that the installation and implementation of the solution had to be simple. After careful consideration, the all-in-one solution from GPS-Buddy was chosen.”
GPS-Buddy's modular system, which uses the XT4 unit and RFID tags, provides the flexibility that Van de Kreeke Groep needs. The intelligent Fleet & Asset management system tracks not only trucks, but also machines, trailers and tools with the RFID tags. In addition, the system provides insight into drivers' driving behaviour and it is easy to download tachograph data remotely. With the GPS-Buddy system, Van de Kreeke Groep is also able to easily produce various reports required to maintain the fifth level of the CO2 performance ladder (Dutch: CO2-prestatieladder).
“To maintain the certificate, we must provide full transparency on our CO2 emissions annually, not only in our own operations, but also in the value chain. In the past, this was mostly manual work. We have set up the GPS-Buddy system in such a way that the correct data on vehicle movements, driving efficiency and CO2 emissions, is collected and at the next review we can obtain the desired reports at the push of a button,” indicates Oscar Vandeberg, Van de Kreeke Groep sustainability project manager.
“Another advantage of the GPS-Buddy system for us is the ability of our own technicians to carry out most installations internally, thanks to the simple installation processes. This hands-on approach is essential for us to be independent of third parties,” Hofman adds.
The implementation process went smoothly, starting with training sessions where the Van de Kreeke Groep team was certified to install GPS-Buddy units themselves. A software training course ensured that the company could make full use of GPS-Buddy's online portal.
Van de Kreeke Groep has already seen positive results in reducing CO2 emissions and improving operational efficiency with the GPS-Buddy system. The system provides real-time insight into the fleet, allowing the nearest available mechanic and vehicle to be sent to emergency locations. This reduces unnecessary driving and leads to lower CO2 emissions.
GPS-Buddy also allows them to track driving behaviour to identify patterns that negatively impact both fuel consumption and carbon footprint, such as speeding. This insight helps to improve the driving behaviour of the entire team, reducing vehicle wear and tear.
In addition, they have more control over assets. From road construction equipment to water pumps used in sustainability projects, the system tracks the location and use of all assets. This has reduced the administrative workload of allocating various assets on different projects.
However, they see further potential in making full use of the system's carbon reduction and reporting capabilities in the future, as these are still at an early stage.
The flexibility of the system allows them to adapt to their needs in different sectors, from infrastructure to sustainability. They also appreciate the quick, hands-on support from GPS-Buddy's team in solving problems. For the company, this collaboration represents an important step towards streamlined operations, improved sustainability and a data-driven future.
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