As a leading provider in access equipment solutions, LinCon Hire and Sales runs some of the largest and most specialised vehicles on the road - heavy trucks and 103-metre units mounted on crane carriers. Keeping that kind of fleet safe, compliant and productive is demanding, and LinCon had outgrown its existing telematics supplier, which was no longer keeping pace with modern cloud-based platforms and camera technology.
At the same time, the business wanted better protection for its drivers, who were periodically the target of false accusations when working on congested sites, as well as clearer visibility of how its complex machines were really being used.
LinCon's core needs were clear:
Move to a flexible, cloud-based telematics platform with modern camera technology.
Protect drivers against false third-party accusations with visual proof.
Gain deeper visibility of vehicle use, including drive, idle, and PTO hours.
Bring fuel usage - on-road, off-road and while operating - under closer control.
What began as a three-truck trial quickly became a fleet-wide standard. LinCon adopted MICHELIN Connected Fleet's Truck Plus telematics and Smart Camera safety solution, combining a full AI camera suite with deep vehicle integration and PTO connectivity.
Every vehicle is now fitted with an artificial intelligence (AI) camera system, including a dashcam, rear-facing right and rear-facing left side cameras, a driver-facing camera and an in-cab 'bubble' camera. The result is complete visibility of how each vehicle behaves, both on the highway and on site.
"Now we can see perfectly how the vehicles behave on the highway and also when they are working on site where damage could be caused to other vehicles or property," said Damien. The AI cab camera monitors the driver's condition for signs of drowsiness, detects if they fail to fasten their seatbelt, and flags if they check their mobile phone while driving. "Driver behaviour alerts are sent in real time enabling us to pre-empt incidents. Audible alerts are provided in the cab and the driver learns what each alert is for. We can also see when the truck is driving, idling or if the elevated work platform (EWP) is being operated."
Crucially for a fleet of complex, high-value machines, the system integrates directly with each vehicle's CAN Bus without any invasive rewiring - giving LinCon live data on everything the onboard computer reads.
"MICHELIN Connected Fleet 'marries up' to the trucks very well. It's non-invasive and you don't have to cut into wires because it senses through pulse readers around the wiring. We now have full vision on drive, idle and PTO (power take-off) hours which is important as we can see exactly how the engine is actually working when the elevated work platform is operating. It's already quantified a few issues within the business around our fuel usage, on-road use of fuel, off-road use of fuel, as well as what we use when we're idling and operating. This allows us to budget for fuel which is very topical at the moment."
A year in, the benefits are being felt right across the business - from driver safety to the insurance file to the fuel budget.
With AI alerts flagging risky behaviour as it happens - from drowsiness to unfastened seatbelts - LinCon can intervene before a small issue becomes an incident, protecting its people and everyone around its equipment.
The camera system has delivered its most valuable return where LinCon least expected it: defending the business against claims that its large machines had caused damage.
"We've actually had a number of incidents where our operators have been falsely accused of wrong doing and causing damage to property. With MICHELIN Connected Fleet we have been able to provide hard evidence through the vision captured by the camera system that our drivers and vehicles were not at fault. This has saved significant amounts when it comes to insurance claims, which has been an unexpected bonus."
Live drive, idle and PTO data has given LinCon a clear picture of exactly where its fuel goes - on-road, off-road and while operating the elevated work platform - turning a major cost into something it can plan around.
Round-the-clock support means the MICHELIN Connected Fleet team is monitoring activity and on hand to answer questions whenever LinCon needs, and the rental hardware model has removed the burden of buying, fitting and upgrading equipment.
"With our previous provider, we had to buy all the hardware, and it was our problem to fit and replace it. Now we pay a rental fee, and MICHELIN Connected Fleet looks after everything else. When it comes to camera upgrades and that type of thing, they'll move them through the fleet and we just keep on moving with the new technology. This will be a significant advantage with technology evolving so quickly," said Damien.
That confidence extends to a strong endorsement of the team behind the technology, and the industries LinCon believes could benefit next.
"The service provided by MICHELIN Connected Fleet team has been first rate. I was skeptical at first, but they have delivered on everything promised. The follow-up and backup, the reporting and setting up of monthly meetings and reviews has happened like clockwork."
"They've proved to be very proactive and they keep us well informed as they have promised to do."
"...I can see so many applications for MICHELIN Connected Fleet, particularly in the crane industry. If you are faced with the same challenges we have, I'd highly recommend a conversation with the MICHELIN Connected Fleet team."
Damien Pollock
General Manager, LinCon Hire and Sales