“We initially worked with Podfather a few years back 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, Brewers. “Podfather is now being rolled out, ensuring we offer the best possible service to our customers, while minimising environmental impact, and operating as efficiently as possible.”
Brewers is the UK’s largest independent decorator’s merchants. A family-run business, with a 120-year heritage, Brewers currently operates over 200 stores across England, serving trade and retail customers. Brewers 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.
“As we roll out Podfather we are not only realising tangible benefits, we are also learning more about the system and our business,” added Karen Larr, Central Operations Manager, Brewers. “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 the Podfather with customers receiving notifications once their goods are out for delivery, 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 improving the customer experience and, it is hoped, will have a positive impact on the number of queries received.
Sarah Lanius-Roberts, Digital Content Developer and involved in the roll out of Podfather to Brewers’ branches, added, “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.”
“Podfather is really helping us make a difference,” Sandison concluded. “It supports all four of our sustainability aims, which are to decarbonise, consume less and eliminate waste, improve lives, and develop the next generation, and, 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’.”
