“We introduced Podfather to give us visibility of our distribution operation,” commented Heather Menzies, Managing Director of Coatbridge-based Run It Cool. “And it has 100 percent delivered on that objective.
“However, we have seen significant benefits above and beyond our original expectation,” she continued. “We have grown exponentially, with our operation three times the size it was then, and our Leeds depot continues to push our geographical coverage week on week. We have increased the number of vans we operate, and we are more informed as to how we use them with more pro-active vehicle checks, intelligent loading and better route planning.”
Using Podfather, Run It Cool has been able to manage the growth in its delivery business without significant investment in its back-office resource. Loads and routes are automatically planned, taking into account vehicle capacities and driver hours, as well as customer delivery windows. This information is automatically sent to the driver’s mobile device and customer ETAs are generated, updated and shared, improving visibility and reducing the need for calls and messages between the office, vans and delivery recipients.
Proof of Delivery is also completely automated with signatures, photographs and temperature records all captured digitally making them instantly accessible and shareable. Run It Cool includes, as standard, within its ePOD reporting, a copy of the temperature read out from the van from the time it left the depot, in addition to the temperature at time of delivery. Run It Cool, using Podfather, is also taking its fleet management to the next level with two, rather than one, daily vehicle checks ensuring timely notification, and therefore intervention, for damage and defects.
“One of the most noticeable differences in the three years we have been using Podfather is how many of our customers are now using the system,” Menzies concluded. “Major producers, who also operate their own fleets, are now using Podfather which makes the exchange of information much easier, it also allows us to share experiences and best practice. You’d be surprised how often we end up talking all things Podfather!”
Run It Cool offers a refrigerated distribution service, delivering chilled and frozen food and drink products across the UK. Working with some of the largest food producers through to specialist product manufactures Run It Cool delivers to high street names in hospitality and retail as well as to health and care facilities including NHS hospitals. Run It Cool offers nationwide coverage from its hubs in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Leeds, with 24/7 services including overnight collect and drop-off, event and sample deliveries and emergency couriers. Run It Cool operates a delivery fleet of multi-temp vans with larger lorries operating between depots.
