Managing Multiple Suppliers
The Challenge of Managing Multiple Suppliers
Managing a fleet is already a full-time job. When accessories are supplied by different companies, you suddenly have to juggle various relationships, warranties, invoicing systems, installation standards, and product support lines.
Each supplier will have its own way of working, and those differences stack up quickly — leading to delays in installation, miscommunication between teams, and no real sense of ownership over the final outcome.
More often than not, it’s the fleet manager who’s left chasing answers when something doesn’t work.
The Subcontractor Dilemma: Who Do You Call for Help?
Managing a fleet is already a full-time job. When accessories are supplied by different companies, you suddenly have to juggle various relationships, warranties, invoicing systems, installation standards, and product support lines.
Each supplier will have its own way of working, and those differences stack up quickly — leading to delays in installation, miscommunication between teams, and no real sense of ownership over the final outcome.
More often than not, it’s the fleet manager who’s left chasing answers when something doesn’t work.
Repeated Access Causes Damage
Every installation requires access to power, cabling, and internal panels — often drawing from the same points in the vehicle. When different fitters visit the same vehicle over time to install different parts, damage becomes inevitable.
We’ve seen vehicles with:
Trim panels left loose or cracked
Missing or mismatched screws
Multiple power taps and connectors jumbled together
Overloaded circuits
Hard-to-trace faults hidden in messy wiring
What starts as a few small jobs can quickly undermine the integrity of the vehicle’s internal build, causing problems down the line — not to mention extra time spent by engineers figuring out what was done previously.
Lack of Installation Consistency Across the Fleet
One of the most common complaints we hear from transport managers is that no two vehicles end up the same. One has the tracker on the dash, another behind the seat. Camera screens are mounted in different positions. Cables are run differently depending on who turned up to fit them.
This lack of consistency isn’t just frustrating — it affects driver training, fault finding, spare part management, and overall professionalism. A standardised fleet setup reduces confusion and increases confidence.
Increased Downtime and Administrative Headaches
With each supplier working to their own schedule, installs are often spread out — meaning your vehicles are repeatedly taken off the road for short periods, adding up to costly downtime.
Meanwhile, your admin team is stuck managing multiple POs, delivery schedules, warranty claims, and support tickets. All this detracts from what your operation is really about — keeping vehicles moving and goods delivered.
The Solution: Choose a Single Supplier and Installer
If this sounds familiar, it might be time to ask your current suppliers a simple but important question:
“Can you supply and install everything we need, and support it all afterward?”
Working with a single provider who can manage everything — from cameras and trackers to lighting and driver wellbeing equipment — means:
One consistent install process across the fleet
One point of contact for all support or service calls
Quicker install timelines and fewer delays
Minimal vehicle disruption and cleaner installs
Stronger accountability and better long-term relationships
How Fir Tree Technology Can Help
At Fir Tree Technology, we’ve spent years building a complete, in-house solution for fleet safety and compliance. We manufacture our own camera and lighting systems, fit everything ourselves, and offer long-term aftercare — so you always know who to call.