Podfather Software Helps Sternfenster Prepare for Next 50 Years
Overview
Established in 1974, Sternfenster has grown into one of the UK's leading trade fabricators of uPVC and aluminium windows and doors. The family-run business, now celebrating 50 years of operation, employs over 180 people at its 137,000-square-metre state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Lincoln.
Sternfenster serves a diverse customer base ranging from independent one-man operators to a large network of approved installers. The company operates a dedicated fleet of 18-tonne truck and trailer units, conducting between 400 and 500 deliveries in an average week across a broad region spanning from Exeter to Margate, and Portsmouth to Leeds.
5,000
admin hours saved yearly
600
sheets of paper saved daily
Challenge
Before integrating Podfather into its operations, Sternfenster faced considerable inefficiencies driven by heavily paper-reliant transport management processes and siloed digital tools.
- The delivery operation relied on physical paper pick lists, manifests, and delivery notes, generating up to 600 sheets of paper every single day.
- Managing this paperwork was highly resource-intensive, taking half a day simply to produce the documents, allocate them to drivers, and process them upon return to the base.
- Early attempts at digitisation using on-board computers and a bespoke scanning solution were disconnected and failed to integrate with the wider production, delivery, and invoicing processes.
Solution
To overhaul its transport management, Sternfenster deployed Podfather's comprehensive suite, selecting the software largely for its robust ability to integrate smoothly with existing systems and processes. The implementation successfully eliminated paper from the delivery operation by deploying logistics planning, route optimisation, and electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) workflows.
At the start of a shift, drivers use the Podfather app to perform guided vehicle safety checks before accessing their daily schedules. Windows and doors are scanned onto each truck in accordance with the route. During the run, live tracking provides the back office and customers with real-time visibility. Upon arrival at the site, the driver unloads and scans each unit off the truck according to the Podfather schedule, using the app to capture date and time-stamped photographs and signatures as concrete proof of delivery.
Results
The rollout of Podfather has virtually eliminated paper from the delivery operation, saving hundreds of thousands of sheets and drastically reducing the company's environmental impact. This automation has directly cut down back-office administration time by an estimated 5,000 man-hours a year, allowing the team to work far more efficiently.
The customer experience has also been significantly upgraded. Customers can now access live information to see exactly when their delivery is due, which is crucial for trade professionals coordinating site workers. This real-time visibility has sharply reduced inbound query calls. For any queries that do arise, the back office can resolve them instantly with a few clicks. The improved traceability has also streamlined the investigation of misplaced items or disputes, leading to a faster resolution process and positively impacting the number and value of credit notes issued.
Not only has Podfather reduced our reliance on paper and routine admin tasks, it has really improved our customer experience. Using Podfather, customers can access live information about when their delivery is due - for trades this is crucial as they know who needs to be onsite and when. The real-time sharing of updates also reduces the need for customers to call us. However, if they do, we have everything we need to answer any query thanks to Podfather and all in just a couple of clicks.
Brent Tromp
Customer Operations Manager, Sternfenster
