Equipment, such as excavators, forklifts, concrete mixers and bulldozers, is the backbone of the construction industry, without it, development would grind to a halt. This is why it is important to address equipment theft as soon as it arises in a business.
GPS tracking provides a solution to this problem, as it keeps all assets accounted for even across work sites. Additionally, some providers offer services and features to enhance this product and overall security.
Let us discuss how GPS tracking can prevent construction equipment theft and how Cartrack is the ideal partner to help a business accomplish this task.
Get insights on:
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Why equipment theft is a big problem
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How theft costs the construction industry
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How GPS tracking is used in theft prevention
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The additional benefits of GPS tracking
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How Cartrack’s solutions help prevent construction equipment theft
Why Equipment Theft Is a Major Concern
Nigeria has a massive construction industry that is projected to grow by an average of 3.1% from 2026 to 2029, according to Global Data significantly in the coming years.
This insight shows how much value the industry brings to the country and economy. Equipment theft causes severe operational disruptions, threatening industry growth and financial stability.
There is significant difficulty in recovering stolen equipment as it is usually not tracked, this is because these assets lack permanent registration like passenger vehicles. This makes it hard to identify when it has been stolen or resold to another business.
This all leads to downtime and project delays, which ultimately have a negative effect on a business financially.
The Cost of Construction Equipment Theft
Construction equipment is very expensive and is usually hard to replace. This is because some types of equipment need to be custom-made, such as cranes or heavy-duty excavators. This leads to a significant waiting period between ordering and delivery.
The theft of equipment also disrupts project timelines.
Here are some of the costs that are incurred:
The Financial Losses From Stolen Machinery
The financial losses due to theft can be very large, especially if the equipment stolen is a specialised machine. It is estimated that construction site theft costs the industry $1 billion every year. That is a significant amount to lose, especially when most construction companies are not major corporations but small businesses and subcontractors.
Many construction companies do not budget for equipment replacement costs, making theft a significant financial setback. Theft impacts the business’s balance sheets as there is often little room for additional costs. This is because the industry operates on a project-based model, often with periods of inactivity.
As with all thefts, insurance costs are affected. Some insurers might increase premiums and, depending on the circumstance, may refuse to pay out altogether.
The Impact on Productivity
Delays are a major cause of reduced productivity, particularly in construction as most projects are deadline-based. When critical equipment is stolen, construction is hindered and in some cases halted, this means that labourers will sit idle with no work to do and time-sensitive processes will be disrupted.
A construction business with productivity problems and issues with meeting deadlines is at risk of reputational damage. If these issues persist, it will impact the business’s public image and dissuade potential clients from considering them for projects or bids for contracts.
How GPS Tracking Can Prevent Equipment Theft
GPS tracking extends beyond vehicles and can be installed on equipment and machinery. Here are the ways in which GPS tracking can work for the construction industry and prevent equipment theft.
Real-Time Location Tracking
Monitor equipment locations at all times, reducing the risk of theft. This feature ensures that construction managers and security teams can keep a constant eye on valuable assets, enabling quick responses if an asset is moved without approval.
Geofencing Alerts
Set up virtual boundaries and receive notifications if equipment moves outside designated zones. Geofencing is particularly useful for ensuring that equipment remains within designated work areas, preventing unauthorised use and potential theft.
Tamper Alerts
Receive instant alerts if tracking devices are removed or tampered with. Cartrack’s GPS tracking systems are equipped with tamper detection technology, which immediately alerts fleet managers if someone attempts to disable or remove a tracking unit.
Remote Immobilisation
Shut down stolen equipment remotely to prevent further movement. This feature is invaluable in theft situations, as it allows owners to render stolen equipment inoperable, increasing the likelihood of recovery.
Historical Tracking Reports
Review past movement logs to track unusual patterns or unauthorised usage. These reports provide insights into usage trends, helping businesses identify security vulnerabilities and potential internal theft.
Battery and Power Loss Alerts
Get instant notifications if a tracking device experiences power loss or is disconnected. This helps in detecting potential tampering attempts or power failures that could compromise tracking.
Multiple Device Integration
Monitor multiple pieces of equipment from a single platform, ensuring seamless tracking across different sites. Whether managing a large fleet or a small number of assets, businesses can have complete oversight from a unified dashboard.
Automated Maintenance Scheduling
Keep track of equipment maintenance schedules to reduce downtime and improve security. Well-maintained equipment is less likely to be left vulnerable to theft due to breakdowns in unsecured locations.
Additional Benefits of GPS Tracking
GPS tracking comes with some additional benefits that are secondary to our direct offering. The most evident one is that the business gets to improve operational efficiency by monitoring equipment usage. Efficiency is capital in the construction industry as it has a direct correlation with the amount of income the business gets.
Another benefit is that the business can reduce fuel costs, it can do this by tracking unnecessary idling. This could be the idling of any equipment or machinery that uses fuel to function, from vehicles to generators. You can ensure proper maintenance with automated service reminders that will inform you whenever equipment is due.
Additionally, with this system in place, you increase the worksite security due to the enhanced visibility of all the assets. When employees know that equipment is being tracked, it will deter them from attempting any theft.
How Cartrack’s Solutions Help Prevent Theft
With Cartrack as your partner, you can rest assured that your business equipment will be protected from theft. Our theft prevention technologies cater to all types of equipment and can be used by both large and small businesses.
Here is what you get from our solutions:
Advanced GPS tracking technology with real-time monitoring.
We offer GPS tracking of assets, where a ping is sent daily indicating the real-time location of the specific equipment or machinery in your business. This can also be applied to any construction vehicles that need to be tracked.
- Full asset visibility
The GPS tracking can be done on equipment and machinery spread across work sites. This will give the business owner an overview of where their resources are located and how many are currently in use versus those in storage at the business premises.
- Asset utilisation rate
Know how often your construction assets are being utilised by working hours or mileage to help you gauge where to strategically up or downsize your fleet to increase productivity and reduce unnecessary running costs.
- Mobile app and web interface
This information can all be seen on our online platform or mobile app. This makes it easier for managers to coordinate assets from any location, without needing to be at the specific construction sites.
Comprehensive fleet management solutions
In addition to GPS tracking, we offer comprehensive fleet management solutions. These can be useful for equipment management, as they come with telematics, which tracks the utilisation rate and wear and tear through the use of predictive maintenance.
- Sensors
Cartrack has a cement mixer sensor, specifically designed for the construction industry. This is done when the raw materials are loaded into the mixer, the sensor can record the moisture variation between the wet parts and the dry cement materials. With this, you can monitor the speed and direction of your cement truck’s drum rotation to ensure you always deliver a high standard of cement.
- Preventative maintenance
Set preventative maintenance schedules and get automated reminders using real-time data to ensure all construction equipment is regularly maintained based on hours of service, mileage and date of last service to avoid costly breakdowns and downtime.
- Employee work-hour reports
Automated reports tell you exactly when your construction teams arrive or leave their assigned project sites to give you actual working hours, so you can bill your clients and pay your team’s wages accurately and hassle-free.
- Surveillance cameras
Equip your construction vehicles with exterior cameras and in-cab monitors that livestream footage, providing operators with 360-degree views of their surroundings to help them prevent incidents, especially when reversing or carrying oversized loads.
- Security measures
Geofencing, tamper alerts, and start prevention are all included in this offering, along with driver ID tags and work logs. All these features will make reporting and billing easier to document.
24/7 customer support and theft recovery assistance
At Cartrack, we have a dedicated customer support team that is available 24/7 in case of any emergency or for general queries. This comes as a standard service for all our clients, with someone available to speak with you in one of our official languages, should you wish.
In the event of theft, our specialised recovery team works swiftly to locate and retrieve stolen equipment. This team is made up of trained and skilled individuals with experience in asset recovery.
Proven track record in vehicle and asset recovery
With over two decades in the industry, Cartrack has developed a great reputation when it comes to stolen vehicle recovery.
Over 115000 businesses trust us across 23 countries, proving how well-regarded and reliable our business offering is.
Prevent Theft, Reduce Risk, and Protect Your Assets with Cartrack Nigeria
A business in construction needs to have its assets protected and accounted for if it wants to maintain optimal performance. Cartrack’s solutions ensure continuous equipment tracking, reducing operational inefficiencies caused by theft.
Contact us to find out how else we can support your construction business.
FAQ
Can criminals detect GPS tracking devices?
Yes, some criminals have developed methods to detect GPS trackers. However, Cartrack’s tamper-proof installation on equipment and tools makes removal and detection significantly more difficult.
Do GPS tracking units need an internet connection?
No, they do not, they use satellite signals to communicate their location. This is not affected by connectivity in any way.
Does a GPS tracker need a battery to be charged?
Some may be connected to an internal power source while others can run on an independent battery. Some of Cartrack’s independent GPS trackers can run for 3 days to two weeks without needing to be recharged, this will depend on the product chosen.
