How Olleco reduced harsh driving events by 65% with a driver-led safety programme

“Before Samsara, we had some telematics, but the way we used it was sporadic, and not particularly helpful. We needed one solution and one key bit of technology that we could use and apply everywhere — that’s what Samsara is for us.” Mark Faulkner, Head of Routing, Olleco

Standout benefits

• 65% reduction in harsh events within 12 months

• 57% reduction in harsh turning and braking

• Safety score increased from 87 to 93 across the fleet

Inconsistent safety standards

For Olleco, the UK's leading collector and recycler of used cooking oil and food waste, operating a fleet of over 240 vehicles across 18 depots had its complexities. With 50,000 customer sites depending on their services and routes spanning from Scotland to Cornwall, maintaining consistent driving standards was top of the agenda. 

"A lot of our drivers were quite unaware of the amount of bad habits they had," said Wayne Smith, a veteran Olleco driver. "We needed to address this, while remaining sensitive to all that changes bring.” 

The company recognised that while implementing Samsara Vehicle Telematics would provide key insights into driver safety, technology alone wouldn't create lasting behavioural change. A human approach was needed to complement the technical solution.

A personal touch to digital development

Olleco's initiative came to life when Wayne Smith (initially wary of telematics himself) emerged as an unlikely champion for change. Having experienced his own journey from sceptic to believer, Wayne developed a unique coaching approach that would transform the company's driving culture.

Rather than imposing change from above, Wayne met with drivers individually, introducing himself as a peer rather than a manager. "I always tell them I'm a driver myself," Wayne explains. "It's not about confrontation – it's about understanding each driver's personality and finding the right way to connect with them."

This personal approach proved crucial. Wayne would spend two to four weeks at each depot, analysing data from Samsara to identify specific areas for improvement. He showed drivers how small adjustments – like not accelerating through corners – could significantly impact their safety scores.

Creating healthy competition and recognition

To maintain momentum, Olleco developed a comprehensive recognition programme that tapped into drivers' natural competitive spirit. Monthly awards of £50 celebrate consistent performance, while an annual Driver of the Year competition offers substantial prizes, including £1,000 toward a holiday plus expenses for the winner.

Crucially, they also introduced a "Most Improved Driver" category, ensuring that even those starting with lower scores had something to strive for. "Everyone is competitive deep down," Wayne notes. "Once drivers see their colleagues improving and earning recognition, they want to be part of it." 

The programme's objectivity has also been crucial to its success. "It's wholly grounded in the data from Samsara," said Mark Faulkner, Head of Routing at Olleco. "We look at drivers who have good distance travelled and high scores – there's no room for opinion or favouritism."

Improved safety, greater savings

The impact of combining Samsara's technology with dedicated coaching has exceeded expectations. Harsh events dropped by 65% overall, while harsh turning and braking has seen a 57% reduction. The fleet's overall safety score jumped from 87 to 93, demonstrating consistent improvement across all metrics.

These safety improvements translated into significant business benefits, including a 1.26% reduction in fuel consumption at a single depot and potentially greater savings across the entire organisation.

"The times have really changed," notes Benjamin Goff, Assistant Routing Analyst at Olleco. "Now if depots go a day without being able to see a truck in the Samsara dashboard, they're on the phone asking what's wrong. It's become an essential part of how we operate."

A safer and smarter future

Olleco's success with Samsara extends beyond safety metrics. The platform's GPS tracking capabilities have improved customer service, allowing the company to verify service delivery and resolve disputes efficiently. Looking ahead, Olleco plans to expand its use of the Samsara API capabilities to enhance route optimisation and customer site mapping.

"We're looking at using Samsara's geolocation data to improve our routing efficiency," Mark shares. "It's a virtuous circle: as we do more, we can fine-tune our operations and make our routes more precise."

But at its heart, the Olleco’s vision remains focused on people. As Wayne emphasises: "At the end of the day, it’s about making sure all our drivers get home safely. When drivers understand that's our primary concern, everything else falls into place."