TORONTO, Ont. – GE Equipment Services has launched a new service that takes on the ownership of a carrier’s trailers in exchange for a monthly payment.

The company said the service allows fleets to focus on their core business: hauling freight. The company wants to take over ownership of all, or part of their clients’ trailer fleet under the new program called Total Fleet Management.

The program, according to GE, liberates customers from the financial liabilities and maintenance requirements that come with running a trailer fleet.

“Acquiring, maintaining and remarketing trailers can be a hassle for many firms, no doubt about it,” said Trailer Fleet Services CEO Joe Artuso at the American Trucking Associations (ATA) management conference.

“For our company however, it’s what we’ve specialized at for 50 years, and we certainly know how to go about it. Our goal is to share the breadth of GE’s capabilities and technology to optimize the efficiency of a customer’s trailer fleet. This gives our customers budget predictability, cash flow flexibility and more time to devote to their own customers.”

The company already has such an agreement in place with US Postal Service. GE provides the company with 4,752 dry van trailers equipped with GE’s VeriWise trailer tracking system.

It also takes care of all preventive and emergency maintenance services.

When entering into an agreement with a fleet, GE first conducts an in-depth financial analysis to gain an understanding of the fleet’s business model, cash flow needs and tax situation. It then structures a solution taylor-made for that particular carrier.

“Predictability in the total cost of transporting goods has been an elusive goal for many companies,” Artuso explained. “Freight tonnage, fuel prices and labour costs all take their toll on profitability. What we’re offering is the confidence and peace of mind that comes from partnering with a leading company like GE that understands both financial services and trailers – and knows how to get the most value out of technology as well.”

For more information, visit www.trailerservices.com, or call 800-333-2030.