How KeyNest Lockers helped revolutionize VolkerFitzpatrick’s on-site key handovers
Key Summary
- The Partner: VolkerFitzpatrick, a leading UK engineering and construction firm managing the high-stakes Heathrow Runway Rehabilitation project.
- The Challenge: Coordinating 24/7 key handovers for 60+ staff and 40 vehicles across three separate compounds, leading to "key-chaos," delays, and accountability gaps.
- Key Results:
- Eliminated Downtime - Drivers start shifts instantly with self-service access, removing the need for physical dispatchers.
- Total Visibility - A centralized dashboard provides a real-time digital audit trail of every vehicle handover across all three sites.
- Improved Safety Culture - Automated tracking created immediate driver accountability and ensured consistent safety procedures.
- Seamless Scalability - Streamlined complex, round-the-clock logistics into a simple, manageable process for the fleet coordinator.
VolkerFitzpatrick, the UK’s leading engineering and construction company, faced a significant operational hurdle during its Heathrow Runway Rehabilitation project.
Managing more than 60 staff and 40 vehicles operating on a 24/7 rotating shift pattern, the logistics team struggled with physical key handovers across three separate compounds.
"Managing three different parking locations used to create constant issues with key control. Keys were often left in different places without anyone knowing, which caused delays, confusion, and unnecessary stress for the team."
- Karina Baciauskiene, Logistics and Fleet Coordinator, VolkerFitzpatrick
The inefficiencies of VolkerFitzpatrick’s manual key handovers
Operational Inefficiency: Manual handovers were difficult to track during shift changes, leading to significant vehicle downtime.
Safety & Accountability: Lack of visibility into who was driving which asset increased the risk of unauthorized access and inconsistent safety procedures.
Lost Revenue: Time spent "key-chasing" was time taken away from critical runway rehabilitation tasks.
Centralized, Automated Access Control via KeyNest Lockers
To modernise on-site key management, VolkerFitzpatrick decided on implementing three, centralized KeyNest Lockers. Strategically installing them at P4 Car Park, P5 Office, and Stand 258 Office, the lockers provided a weather-resistant, 24/7 key-access solution that thrives in high-traffic construction environments.
By leveraging the automated tracking features from KeyNest, the VolkerFitzpatrick team moved from an unmonitored manual handover process to a fully automated, accountability-boosting system.
| Feature | KeyNest Lockers | Traditional Manual Logs |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24/7 Contactless Access | Limited to staff presence |
| Tracking | Real-time digital audit trail | Prone to human error |
| Accountability | Instant visibility of every user | Low visibility; untracked |
| Safety | One-time codes & RFID fobs | Vulnerable to lost keys |
Order, Efficiency, and Positive Behavioral Change
Since implementing the three lockers, time wasted on key-chasing has been completely eliminated. The logistics team now managed the entire fleet of construction vehicles via a centralised dashboard, allowing simultaneous monitoring of all three compounds from a single login.
1. Improved Safety Habits
The digital audit trail created immediate accountability. Drivers are now encouraged to follow proper handover processes, as the system provides a timestamped record of every movement.
2. Reduced Downtime
With three, consistent places to drop off and collect keys, drivers can start their shifts instantly. The guesswork has been removed, allowing the team to focus entirely on the engineering requirements of the Heathrow project.
3. Scalable Fleet Management
The transition from chaos to control has made key management straightforward for both the logistics team and the drivers, proving that even the most complex 24/7 operations can be streamlined with the right hardware.
"KeyNest has brought order to what used to be a chaotic process. It has improved our efficiency, reduced downtime, and made key management straightforward."
- Karina Baciauskiene, Logistics and Fleet Coordinator, VolkerFitzpatrick
