Aggregate Industries has rolled out new logistics software to support sustainable working and improve operational performance. The Concrete Products Division makes hundreds of deliveries daily using the Podfather system to manage its outsourced delivery operation.
Third-party drivers access tickets using the Podfather app, which guides them through their daily schedule. The app also allows for the capture of real-time, electronic Proof of Delivery evidence, including signatures and photos.
Since introducing Podfather, Aggregate Industries estimates its delivery operation is now 90 percent paper free and has boosted its Ontime Performance rate from 93.9 percent in 2023 to nearly 97 percent in the year to date.
Aggregate Industries aims to be the UK leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, dedicated to decarbonising its own operations and supporting the country’s transition to net zero. As an organisation, Aggregate Industries has over 200 sites and 3,700 employees in the UK and is a proud member of Holcim, the leading global building materials and solutions company with around 70,000 employees in over 80 countries.
The Aggregate Industries Concrete Products Division offers a range of manufactured products to merchant, construction, civil and domestic customers. With 11 production and stocking facilities, it delivers hundreds of loads a day of structural, block, concrete and landscaping products, using an established network of haulage partners.
“Eradicating paper is an important part of our decarbonisation journey in support of our sustainable construction ambitions,” commented Chris Lynch, Head of Digital at Aggregate Industries. “Podfather supports this with paperless ticketing and reporting.”
Using Podfather logistics software, which also includes fleet planning, route optimisation, vehicle safety and customer notification features, Aggregate Industries shares delivery tickets with its network of more than 30 third party transport partners. Drivers access detailed load, site and customer information, using the Podfather app and back-office staff have visibility of schedules as they unfold. Using the Podfather app, drivers also capture ePOD information, including date, time and location stamped signatures and photographs if required.
“Podfather gives us complete visibility, in real-time, of our delivery operation,” added Russell Turner, National Logistics Manager at Aggregate Industries. “We know what’s been delivered, when and where it was delivered, and if there were any issues with the delivery. All of this information, including indisputable evidence, is available as it is captured for management and support staff.
“This informs our customer communications and allows us to resolve any potential issues at first point of contact,” he continued. “It’s is also available for KPI reporting and performance management and, I believe, the use of Podfather is supporting our drive for continuous improvement demonstrated by an increase in Ontime Performance of 3 percent in the last year.”
