Gebrüder Schröder Cuts Idle Costs by 50% and Gains Efficiency, Safety, and Transparency with Samsara

“We see Samsara as a strategic partner, helping us not only achieve our current goals but also supporting our long-term vision of building a sustainable and successful business.” Jörg Hoffmann, Project Manager, Gebrüder Schröder GmbH & Co. KG

Standout Benefits

• 50% Reduction in Idle Fuel Consumption: Targeted driver alerts and integrated coaching halved idle fuel usage. In 2024, the fleet used only 11,000 liters of fuel instead of 22,000 liters.

• 50% of Accident Claims Successfully Refuted: With dash cams and precise telematics data, Gebrüder Schröder was able to dispute unjustified claims. One incident alone saved the company over €40,000.

• 80% Less Time Spent on Expense Reports: Automated data collection cut administrative time from 15 hours to just 3 hours per week.

Tradition Meets Innovation in the Westerwald Region

Gebrüder Schröder GmbH & Co. KG, based in Ebernhahn, has been one of the most renowned logistics partners in the Westerwald for decades. With 180 employees and a modern fleet of 85 vehicles—including 15 with truck-mounted forklifts—the company stands for reliability, quality, and forward-looking logistics solutions. Its in-house infrastructure, including a modern workshop, brake testing stand, washing bay, and comprehensive training facilities for ADR, forklift, and driver module training, reinforces the company's innovative approach. In an increasingly digital market, Gebrüder Schröder chose data-driven transparency—with Samsara as its technology partner.

From Manual Dispatching to a Connected Fleet

Before introducing modern telematics solutions, vehicle tracking was a major challenge. Dispatchers had to make over 150 calls a day to coordinate locations, arrival times, or delays. After seven years using a previous telematics system—which worked but lacked accuracy in telematics and telemetry data—the company sought a more comprehensive solution.

Samsara now provides Gebrüder Schröder with an all-in-one platform that includes all required features and stands out for its transparent cost structure. The decision to go with Samsara was based on its compelling overall package: integrated dash cams with intelligent hazard detection, automatic email alerts for critical events, precise telematics and telemetry data for the workshop, and seamless integration of all fleet functions in a single platform.

Rapid Implementation Thanks to In-House Workshop

The Samsara solution was implemented at Gebrüder Schröder in just three months—entirely in-house. A key focus was training the staff. Every driver received individual training covering all relevant areas.

The new technology was quickly embraced, thanks in part to its clear benefits for drivers. “Despite initial skepticism, we were able to convince our team and successfully integrate the system. Today, our employees benefit from increased safety and improved accident management, which has led to a significant reduction in accident numbers,” explains Jörg Hoffmann, Project Manager at Gebrüder Schröder.

Dash cams Improve Safety and Reduce Risk

One standout benefit of the new system is enhanced road safety. Outward-facing dash cams automatically record critical incidents such as hard braking, tailgating, or dangerous maneuvers. This allows incidents to be quickly assessed and supported with video evidence if needed. Response times to incidents have been significantly reduced thanks to the centralized platform, providing faster support for drivers.

“The video analysis is a crucial tool for us to reconstruct accidents more accurately and reduce future risks,” says Hoffmann. One powerful example illustrates the value of this technology: During a construction zone accident, a car attempted to illegally overtake a truck. The dash cam footage completely exonerated the driver.  As a result of this, €30,000 in damage claims were successfully rejected, and the company received an additional €10,000 to cover its own damages. In over 50% of documented incidents, the recordings provided clear proof of events and helped disprove unjustified claims.

Efficiency Gains Across the Board

Samsara has transformed daily operations at Gebrüder Schröder, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and safety. The company now sees significant gains in everyday workflows. Expense reports, which used to take about 15 hours per week, now take only 3 hours thanks to digital data capture—a time savings of 80%. Tachograph data that previously had to be manually downloaded from each of the 85 vehicles every 28 days—taking up to 20 minutes per truck—is now automatically read remotely.

Idle times were also reduced by 50% through targeted driver behavior and automatic alerts. Idle fuel use dropped from 22,000 liters in 2024 to 11,000 liters. Additional digital processes—such as automated driver’s license checks, ADR certificate monitoring, and driver card management—greatly ease the burden on the back office, providing better oversight and legal compliance.

Drivers can now view their upcoming routes over the weekend, use a convenient chat feature, and submit digital vacation requests via tablet, complete with automatic email notifications. At the same time, the company maintains full oversight of fleet activity, documents, and maintenance cycles—all managed centrally via Samsara’s intuitive platform. All business decisions are now data-driven, and driver complaints are addressed using specific time and mileage data.

Safety and Cost Impact

Faster incident clarification has led to significant cost savings. The system automatically detects fuel theft: if fuel levels drop by more than 25% within 10 minutes, an alert is triggered. With an average of one theft per month, this enables quick response and damage control.

Vehicle downtime has also been reduced, and maintenance requirements significantly lowered. “The data we get from the Samsara platform allows us to act proactively and identify potential issues early on,” emphasizes Hoffmann. Fuel consumption reports help optimize driving behavior, and customer wait-time reports bring new levels of transparency for all parties involved.

Looking Ahead: Digitisation as a Competitive Advantage

For Gebrüder Schröder, Samsara is much more than a fleet tool—it's a cornerstone of the company’s long-term digital strategy. Plans include enabling live GPS data access for customers, automatic notifications upon arrival in destination zones, and a driver performance scoring system that promotes engagement and motivation. The focus remains on creating measurable value—for customers, drivers, and the company itself. “We see Samsara as a strategic partner, helping us not only achieve our current goals but also supporting our long-term vision of building a sustainable and successful business,” says Hoffmann.

Gebrüder Schröder serves as a prime example of how integrating IoT technologies can boost competitiveness and support sustainable business growth. “Our goal is to stay aligned with technological progress and remain successful through transparency, safety, and the flexible implementation of requirements,” Hoffmann concludes.