How XPO Logistics Achieved Fleet Control and Safety with KeyNest Lockers
Challenge with Managing Vehicle Keys
At XPO Logistics’ Beeston, Nottingham depot, the team faced growing challenges managing vehicle keys in an unmanned office environment. With no on-site supervision, drivers could freely take keys from a large communal safe, leading to confusion, inefficiencies, and a lack of accountability.
As Giles Smith, Transport Solutions General Manager at XPO Logistics, explains:
“Previously, drivers had unrestricted access to all keys within the large key safe, often selecting vehicles based on personal preference rather than allocation.”
This unrestricted access made it difficult to enforce vehicle assignments and ensure compliance with fleet protocols.
Operational and Compliance Pain Points
The lack of a structured key management system caused multiple operational and financial issues:
Unrestricted access: Any driver could collect any vehicle key without control.
Operational inefficiencies: As Giles notes, “This led to increased toll charges and fines when non-designated units were used.”
Security vulnerabilities: Shared key safes provided no audit trail or restriction over who accessed which keys.
Compliance gaps: Without controlled access, it was impossible to ensure only authorised personnel collected designated vehicles.
The situation increased operational risk and compromised both efficiency and accountability.
KeyNest Locker Solution
To address these issues, XPO Logistics implemented the KeyNest Locker system at their Beeston depot, a simple yet powerful way to automate and control key access.
According to Giles, the impact was immediate:
“The implementation of the KeyNest system has significantly enhanced our control over vehicle keys, particularly in an unmanned office environment.”
With KeyNest Lockers, each key is now isolated and traceable, ensuring only verified users such as authorised drivers or repair agents can collect them.
As Giles highlights, “With KeyNest, we’ve improved compliance by isolating keys and ensuring they are only released to authorised personnel, such as verified repair agents.”
The result is a fully digital, transparent, and secure process that aligns perfectly with XPO’s operational standards.
Improved Security and Compliance Outcome
Since deploying KeyNest Lockers, XPO Logistics has achieved measurable improvements across security, safety, and operational efficiency.
The system has eliminated unauthorised key use, reduced toll and fine incidents, and delivered full accountability over key handling.
As Giles concludes:
“As a result, we’ve strengthened equipment security, reduced operational risk, and improved overall fleet safety.”
