Ashworth plans paper free deliveries with Podfather software
Overview
Ashworth operates as a specialist distributor of commercial heating, plumbing, and drainage solutions. Serving the whole of the UK with industrial pipe valves and fittings, the company handles approximately 200 deliveries a day to major commercial building services, industrial and infrastructure sites, and data centre projects.
The company runs its nationwide logistics through a network of four depots located in Bolton, Bristol, Dudley, and Rochester. To manage its distribution requirements, Ashworth operates a mixed fleet that ranges from 3.5-tonne flatbeds up to 18-tonne rigid trucks equipped with HIAB, alongside 44-tonne articulated lorries.
4
depots
200
deliveries a day
Nationwide
delivery operation
Challenge
Prior to implementing Podfather, Ashworth struggled with a fragmented logistics network where each of its four distinct depots managed completely separate delivery workflows. This siloed layout created widespread inefficiencies and restricted corporate-wide visibility.
- The logistics operation suffered from an over-reliance on physical paper processes and manual delivery notes.
- Workflows depended heavily on the unwritten knowledge and personal experience of specific individuals.
- Customer service was limited by a lack of real-time tracking, resulting in high volumes of daily delivery queries and follow-up calls.
Solution
Ashworth successfully rolled out the Podfather platform across all four of its regional locations by integrating the software directly with the company's existing ERP system. At the start of each shift, drivers use the native Podfather mobile app to complete mandatory, guided vehicle checks that instantly log defects and confirm overall fleet roadworthiness.
Once out on the road, the app automatically guides drivers through their schedules while transmitting real-time tracking coordinates back to office teams without the need for fixed telematics hardware. On-site, the application facilitates electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) by allowing drivers to capture date, time, and location-stamped photographs alongside digital customer signatures.
Results
The deployment has yielded instant tangible benefits, allowing Ashworth to make significant progress toward its goal of paperless operations and streamlined invoicing workflows. Having clear, centralized visibility across the entire mixed fleet has drastically cut down the daily volume of customer delivery queries and inbound calls.
By utilizing the automated customer ETA notifications and the "follow my driver" live-tracking features, Ashworth has significantly elevated its customer experience. Furthermore, the transition to smarter, optimized routing has yielded notable savings in fuel consumption, driving business cost reductions while aligning with their long-term environmental sustainability objectives.
The platform makes it much easier for our customers to track deliveries in real time, reducing the need for follow-up calls and improving transparency. At the same time, it helps us operate more efficiently through smarter routing, which supports our commitment to reducing environmental impact. Moving away from paper-based delivery notes has also been a significant benefit
Steve Everard
Managing Director, Ashworth
