Brewers is rolling out advanced logistics software from Podfather across its nationwide network of decorator centres, helping it “achieve its sustainability objectives, improve customer service and support business growth.”
The Podfather planning, route optimisation, and ePOD (electronic Proof of Delivery) solution is now being rolled out, with early impacts including “reduced mileage and better customer communications.” Once completed, it is expected that the project will provide Brewers with access to detailed KPI and management reports relating to vehicle utilisation, customer experience, costs, and emissions.
Drawing on its 120-year heritage, Brewers is reputedly the UK’s largest independent decorator’s merchants, operating over 200 stores across England to serve both trade and retail customers. The family-run business offers next working day delivery on more than 90,000 products using a fleet of more than 150 vehicles ranging from 7.5 tonne trucks to Transit-type vans. Stock is also moved from a central distribution centre in the Midlands to regional hubs which service the branch network.
“We initially worked with Podfather to understand how we were using our fleet, across all our locations, and if there was potential to do things differently or better,” commented Paul Sandison, Business Transformation Manager at Brewers. “Podfather is now being rolled out, ensuring we offer the best possible service to our customers, while minimising our environmental impact, and operating as efficiently as possible.”
Karen Larr, Central Operations Manager, added: “As we roll out Podfather we are not only realising tangible benefits, we are also learning more about the system and our business. Each store had its own way of doing things but, by looking at the bigger picture, we can see how to use our fleet more efficiently which is already having an impact on the miles travelled. This is not only good for the environment, but also beneficial for our business as the resources can be better deployed.”
Brewers is also realising additional benefits through the use of Podfather, for example with customers receiving notifications once their goods are out for delivery. This is something it hopes to build on when roll out is completed, with real-time email and SMS updates. Comprehensive ePOD evidence, with the ability to capture, and share, date, time, and location stamped photographs and signatures, is further said to be improving the customer experience and, it is hoped, will have a positive impact on the number of queries received.
“The feedback from the stores has been largely positive and, with the support of the Podfather team, we have been able to demonstrate how the solution will positively impact their day to day working practices,” said Brewers’ Digital Content Developer Sarah Lanius-Roberts.
Paul Sandison concluded: “Podfather is really helping us make a difference. It supports all four of our sustainability aims, which are to decarbonise, consume less and eliminate waste, improve lives, and develop the next generation. As we move forward, I am sure it will help us achieve our vision ‘To Play Our Part in Making the World a Brighter Place’.”
