Above: The new fleet management tool is ideal for service center customers handling heavy, bulky and long loads in complex environments.
March, 2025- Fleet owners are now able to connect remotely and access live data relating to the operation, management, maintenance and total cost of ownership of their Hubtex sideloaders. “The new connectivity solution provides a central overview of vehicle and fleet data in real time,” explains Alexander Baumann, president of Hubtex North America Inc
Hubtex, a material handling equipment manufacturer, developed this fleet management portal in response to growing customer demand for better control and visibility over their fleet operations. Fleet operators wanted a solution to track hours of operation, plan maintenance proactively and ensure compliance with safety and usage protocols.
“Our goal was to provide a smart tool that gives insight into total cost of ownership, reduces downtime, increases operational efficiency and empowers customers with data-driven insights to manage their equipment more effectively,” reports Baumann.
Operators can view a number of sideloader performance data points in real time.
MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING
Remote access to Hubtex sideloaders has been available to customers for several years, a feature used primarily for maintenance purposes. Hubtex service representatives are able to view error messages and vehicle parameters from a remote location. The access is now simplified via a SIM card to access the fleet management module.
“One main benefit of remote access is rapid troubleshooting. With remote access, our service team can fix faults fast and effectively,” Baumann says. “The vast majority of faults and problems can now be remotely diagnosed and very often the deployment of a service technician is not needed.”
Another benefit of the new live access portal which will be presented to the U.S. market for the first time in March at ProMat 2025 is proactive maintenance scheduling that can help customers reduce downtime.
Fleet operators can now access live data relating to operation, management and maintenance of their Hubtex equipment.
DAMAGE CONTROL
Another means of avoiding downtime is the new module’s role in logging and documenting vehicle damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear. “Assessing damage is critical for minimizing unplanned downtime and maintaining safety standards. With real-time tracking and operator data, fleet managers can quickly identify when and where damage occurs, understand the contributing factors and address issues promptly,” Baumann explains.
This proactive approach helps equipment users to reduce repair costs, improve equipment longevity and maintain operational reliability. “At Hubtex, we are pioneers in linking remote maintenance access to a sideloader fleet management system,” says Baumann.
The new comprehensive fleet management module is available for all Hubtex models and can be retrofitted to many existing models. The portal is easy to access via an app or web browser.
Real-time metrics help fleet operators optimize workforce efficiency by ensuring operators are using equipment safely and effectively.
REAL-TIME VISIBILITY
Unique to Hubtex’s new access portal is visibility into real-time truck performance and operator activity. “’While some competitors offer fleet management solutions, Hubtex’s system stands out for its focus on realtime data integration and customization,” states Baumann.
Such insight can help service centers and fabricators enhance fleet efficiency. “We have tailored our solution specifically for customers managing heavy, bulky and long loads in complex environments, which gives us an edge in addressing the unique challenges of our industry,” Baumann claims.
The expanded portal’s capabilities let customers view relevant vehicle and fleet data online and then draw valuable conclusions about the use, energy efficiency and productivity of their individual trucks and entire fleet. Data collected can be exported from the system for further analyzing and comparisons. One example is the ability to identify underutilized or overused trucks.
“There is also the possibility of integrating optional functions such as monitoring battery levels, keeping a record of daily physical access controls and assigning drivers precisely using either individual PINs or transponders,” notes Baumann.
While this solution doesn’t directly address labor shortages yet, Baumann explains, the system helps fleet owners optimize workforce efficiency by ensuring operators are using equipment safely and effectively.
“The main benefit of our system is the fact that, with remote access, we’re enabling a high degree of integration into our vehicle electronics while also offering state-of-the-art fleet management on a single platform,” says Baumann. “Because all data is now available in one system the true cost of ownership can now easily be established,” he adds.
CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE
The remote, live access technology is already in use with select Hubtex customers in Europe (the company’s global headquarters is in Germany). “We’ve seen positive feedback regarding its ability to streamline fleet management and improve maintenance scheduling. Customers have emphasized the convenience of having live data at their fingertips and the ability to make informed decisions quickly,” notes Baumann.
“This fleet management system is part of Hubtex’s broader commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. We’re not just delivering trucks; we’re providing tools to optimize operations, reduce costs and empower businesses to meet future challenges. As we continue to enhance this technology, we’re excited to partner with our customers to drive greater efficiencies and unlock new possibilities,” says Baumann.
Hubtex North America Inc., 800/548-2839, hubtex.com.
