Podfather Software Helps Gas Bottles Wimbledon Deliver 5 Star Service
Overview
Gas Bottles Wimbledon (GBW) is an established industrial gas agent that has been trading since 1989. The company operates its own fleet of vans to offer a 6-day-a-week delivery service across Surrey, West Sussex, and South London from its Betchworth depot. They deliver gas products, heating solutions, solid fuels, specialist cleaning supplies, and beverages to the public, the hospitality sector, and commercial gas users.
GBW supplies Gaslight and Handygas propane and butane products, is a proud partner of FLOGAS and a stockist of ALbee Pro bottles, and partners with Shepherds Neame brewery and Singha beer. Through the introduction of new logistics software, the business has sought to modernise its operations to better support its wide-ranging customer base.
5 *
google reviews for service
6
days a week delivery service
Challenge
Before implementing Podfather, Gas Bottles Wimbledon was highly dependent on traditional, manual methods to run its delivery operations. When the original founders decided to pass the business on to their sons, the new directors immediately recognised from previous experience that automation was essential to improve efficiencies and maintain high service levels. The manual approach was proving too cumbersome to scale and adapt to daily operational changes.
- The business relied heavily on resource-intensive administrative and paper-led processes that were inefficient, slow, and open to errors.
- Changes to regular routes due to new customers, larger orders, or the use of temporary staff were difficult to manage using only paper-based planning.
- Customer queries regarding deliveries were frequent, which slowed down the reporting and invoicing process and occasionally led to credit notes and cash flow issues.
Solution
Following a personal recommendation, GBW implemented Podfather logistics software to automate and streamline their daily operations. The deployed software includes logistics planning, route optimisation, and electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) functionality. Loads and routes are now automatically planned and optimised, taking into account specific customer delivery instructions and vehicle weight restrictions.
To support the drivers, Podfather automatically produces a picking list for each vehicle, and all delivery details are shared directly via the Podfather app. The software also shares ETA notifications and live-tracking links with customers. At the drop-off point, the app is used to collect proof of delivery, which includes date, time, and location-stamped signatures alongside photographs, feeding information back to the office in real-time.
Results
The implementation of the software has dramatically transformed the delivery operation in a matter of months, moving GBW from being heavily paper-reliant to virtually paper-free. Customers are now kept informed at every stage of their delivery and can self-serve information without having to contact the office, which has drastically reduced inbound customer queries. Furthermore, because orders are assigned based on accurate delivery instructions and weights, the business operates more safely and stays strictly within its plated restrictions.
The real-time capture of electronic proof of delivery has also vastly improved the speed and accuracy of reporting. Because delivery notifications are shared with the back office instantly, invoices can be issued with confidence as soon as a delivery is made, reducing the need for credit notes and improving overall cash flow. Supported by these efficiencies, GBW is now equipped to take the business to the next level while easily maintaining its 5-star service.
The overall impact of Podfather on the business has been phenomenal. We have gone from paper-reliant to virtually paper-free, our customers are kept informed so know what to expect and when to expect it, and our whole delivery operation is just more efficient. With support from Podfather we are ready to respond to the opportunities and challenges ahead and take the business to the next level.
Ryan Gwyther
Director, Gas Bottles Wimbledon
