There is no time to relax at Island Mobile Fleet Service. The company, based in Long Island, New York, thrives on providing timely customer-focused on-site preventive equipment and truck maintenance. The business performs oil changes on medium- and heavy-duty trucks as well as heavy equipment from skid loaders to asphalt pavers and millers. The Sage Oil Vac LubeBuilder™ system is central to the company’s growing business.
Owner Nick Scavo had vast experience in preventive equipment and truck maintenance. He took what he learned while working with other companies and capitalized on an industry need in the area.
“While working for other companies, I would pour oil out of one bucket and collect waste oil in another bucket,” recalled Scavo.
Finding a better way
Scavo knew there was a better way. In 2017, he enlisted Sage Oil Vac to help develop a solution that took his efficiency to the next level. Together, Scavo and Sage Oil Vac worked to develop a customized LubeBuilder system for his ‘99 Chevrolet 3500 HD chassis that included a 30-gallon fresh oil tank and 30-gallon waste oil tank, both equipped with the Sage Oil Vac pump-free technology. The modularity of the à la carte LubeBuilder solution makes it easy to lay out and upfit a system for any vehicle.
“I never wanted to change oil the old-fashioned way when I started my business,” said Scavo. “I didn’t see that as profitable, so I started with Sage Oil Vac and never looked back. They were very helpful in guiding me to the proper equipment for my budget at the time of startup.”
Scavo is one of the customers over the past 30 years to realize reduced labor efforts, increased oil change speed and the ability to keep technicians and job sites clean by using the Sage Oil Vac system.
“Changing oil doesn’t need to be dirty, labor-intensive and time-consuming. The outdated practice of transporting oil in five-gallon buckets makes it nearly impossible to prevent spills. The Sage Oil Vac LubeBuilder system protects the jobsite from spills, keeps your technicians clean, and allows technicians to perform more oil changes per day through an exclusive pump-free fluid exchange system,” says Corporate Sales Manager Chance Castillo.
LubeBuilder customizes the tool to fit the task
As business grew, Scavo and Island Mobile Fleet Service upgraded to a Freightliner M2. The portability of the LubeBuilder system simplified the transition with the components being transferred to the new chassis.
When operations have specific PM needs, they’re often forced to make compromises in terms of tank capacities and mismatched fluid exchange components. In Scavo’s case, the Sage Oil Vac LubeBuilder system offered a completely customizable solution for his dedicated lube vehicle, helping cut costs by allowing him to select only the things he really wanted and needed in a PM setup.
That included lengthening the waste oil evacuation hose and fresh oil hose to reach the top of certain equipment without having to get the lube truck too close. The impact of his LubeBuilder system paid immediate dividends.
“I don’t have any employees because the Sage Oil Vac system enables me to single-handedly service all of my customers’ fleets with speed, cleanliness and efficiency,” said Scavo. “My largest-fleet manager customer doubted that I would be able to keep up with the demand by myself — until he saw my setup and witnessed it in action.”
Partnership builds confidence
Preventive equipment and truck maintenance is performed around the customer’s schedule. And with the right PM setup, trucks never have to be removed from service for an oil change, and no transport is required. Truck maintenance is completed on-site during the off-hours, including Sundays, if that is the only time the equipment is available for maintenance.
The majority of customers served are subcontractors for the local utility companies who have larger fleets, and Island Mobile Fleet Service will travel out of state when needed to serve its largest customers.
“I don’t second-guess going after larger fleets because Sage Oil Vac enables me to work circles around my competitors who still do it the old-fashioned way,” said Scavo. “I really don’t have any work-related stress.”
Attention to detail and a customer focus continue to drive growth. Scavo goes above and beyond traditional oil changes.
“I will do repairs on items I find need attention during a PM to minimize downtime for my customers,” says Scavo.
This customer focus continues to drive demand for mobile equipment and truck maintenance. Business is growing through customer referrals.
“I don’t advertise other than my truck being lettered up like a billboard,” said Scavo.
Looking forward, Island Mobile Fleet Service will continue to rely on Sage Oil Vac as a trusted partner.
“They have helped me grow my business to the point where I may have to set up another truck and hire help if I continue to take on any new work,” said Scavo.
