The High Cost of Falling Behind
Back in 2017, when Yuri Popovic Jr. launched ALC Freight, he was doing it all – dispatching trucks, wrangling paperwork, managing drivers. Like many growing fleets, the company’s mission was clear: keep things moving efficiently and stay ahead of the curve while supporting FedEx Ground operations across the Northeast.
But as operations ramped up, so did the friction.
Inspections were still done on paper and often pencil-whipped. Drivers switched trucks without knowing what defects were unresolved. Mechanics were stuck playing defense, reacting to issues instead of preventing them.
The result? DOT violations, costly breakdowns, and a ballooning repair budget.
“We had a couple of accidents and a failed DOT inspection, so it was a snowball that was starting to develop that we needed to get control of.”
— Yuri Popovic Jr., Owner, ALC Freight
ALC Freight hit a critical moment: keep putting out fires, or overhaul their entire approach to fleet maintenance.
From Paper to Proactive: ALC Goes Digital
That’s when they made the switch to Whip Around’s digital inspection platform and never looked back.
With Whip Around, ALC Freight transformed its entire inspection and maintenance workflow:
- Mobile-first inspections made it easy for drivers to complete checks properly.
- Photo-based reporting eliminated pencil whipping and created real accountability.
- Real-time defect alerts ensured mechanics could act fast.
- Inventory tools reduced emergency part purchases and delays.
Within weeks, the entire team, from drivers to mechanics, had more visibility and control than ever before.
“Now we can hold everybody accountable. If the driver wasn’t reporting it, the mechanic wouldn’t know, then the next guy coming in would say, ‘Hey, what’s going on here?’”
— Yuri Popovic Jr.
The Numbers Tell the Story: 34% Fewer Unplanned Repairs
This wasn’t just a tech upgrade. It was a total transformation in how the shop operated:
- 34% reduction in unplanned repairs over two years
- 53% savings in parts and materials between 2021–2022, followed by another 48% drop in 2023
- Fewer DOT violations, thanks to verified, documented inspections
- Faster turnaround times, thanks to streamlined communication between drivers and mechanics
The combination of digital inspections, automated work orders, and inventory visibility didn’t just cut costs – it unlocked a proactive maintenance model.
“With Whip Around, we’ve been able to really improve efficiency. Our team has been able to get ahead of the smaller issues before they become big ones.”
— Yuri Popovic Jr.
What ALC’s Fleet Maintenance Workflow Looks Like Today
Here’s how ALC Freight’s tech-enabled maintenance process works in real life:
- Inspections: Custom forms with mandatory photo fields ensure drivers perform thorough pre-trips.
- Defect Alerts: Critical issues are flagged immediately and sent to mechanics with context and images.
- Work Orders: Automatically generated from inspections – no extra admin steps.
- Inventory Tracking: Parts are monitored and deducted automatically, reducing overstock and emergency buys.
- Reporting: Managers get insights into repair timelines, defect trends, and inspection compliance rates.
Don’t Wait for the Breakdown: Audit Your Own Process
Still relying on paper inspection forms or chasing down updates from your shop team? You’re not alone.
But if ALC Freight’s journey proves anything, it’s this: digital inspections work.
They cut unplanned repairs.
They lower parts costs.
They reduce DOT risks.
They create smoother audits.
And they make your whole operation safer and smarter.
Ready to see how your fleet stacks up?
Book time with our friendly, knowledgeable team and see how Whip Around can help you transform your inspection and maintenance process today.
