“In our aim to be more than just a supplier we recognise that the service we offer shouldn’t end at the point of delivery. With our dedicated UCO collection service, we can help our customers dispose of their waste product safely and efficiently, whilst fully complying with environmental legislation. Podfather helps us achieve this in the most efficient way and it’s totally paper free!” commented Mathew Worsnop, Commercial Director at Henry Colbeck.
Founded in 1893, Henry Colbeck is a family owned and family managed business that supplies a range of frozen and ambient goods to fish and chip shops, takeaway, restaurants and hotels. Operating from its headquarters in Gateshead, and its regional distribution centre near Glasgow, Henry Colbeck offers a twice weekly delivery service to more than 2,500 customers. In addition to the delivery operation, Henry Colbeck operates a dedicated fleet of 18 and 15 tonne trucks, making around 150 collections of UCO a day. With its own recycling plant, processed UCO is used to either generate electricity or to produce bio diesel.
“We operate a typical, 3-week collection cycle for waste oil,” added Joe Welsh, Transport Manager for Henry Colbeck. “Jobs are automatically loaded onto a driver’s mobile device and accessed using the Podfather app. The app then gives us real-time visibility of the schedule as it unfolds, meaning we can keep our customers informed of delays or changes to their collections. The app also allows us to easily capture digital proof of collection evidence.
“This is not only great for the drivers as it allows them to concentrate on the job in hand, not filling out paperwork,” he continued. “Its also great for our customers as they have real-time access to collection records, including controlled waste transfer notices, which are essential for their duty of care responsibilities.”
There are a number of regulations relating to the storage and disposal of cooking oil from catering premises and it is a criminal offence to discharge into public sewers and drains any matter which may interfere with the free flow of wastewater. Operators therefore have a duty of care to dispose of material in a responsible manner using a certified collector who is fully licensed to collect, transport and dispose of waste in a legal manner.
Henry Colbeck has been using Podfather fleet planning, route optimisation and electronic proof of delivery software, for a number of years during which time it has realised additional benefits for the business. “When we first started offering this service we had a dedicated Waste Oil logistics department,” Welsh continued. “But, using Podfather to capture, record and share real-time updates and proof of collections we have been able to absorb their workflows into the overall transport department.”
