GD Harries, one of Wales’ largest suppliers of aggregates, asphalt, and ready-mix concrete, has rolled out Podfather logistics software to increase efficiency and enhance customer service.
Integrated with GD Harries’ ERP system, Podfather’s electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) features have eliminated paper from the delivery operation, resulting in both environmental and cost savings, as well as reducing administrative workload. The digitisation of delivery notes has also improved the flow of information between drivers, back-office staff, and customers, providing real-time visibility and easy access to historical records.
“Before we adopted Podfather, we were literally drowning in paper,” commented Aled Hughes, IT Systems Manager at GD Harries. “This had to be produced, in duplicate if not triplicate, and handed out to drivers at the start of each shift. The paperwork required numerous action points – when the truck was loaded, when the delivery was made, and when the driver returned to base, each of which needed manual intervention. It was also tricky to access in the case of a customer query.”
Having made the decision to introduce automated workflows to the delivery operation, GD Harries looked around for a solution that would integrate with their ERP software. They considered various systems, including one from an existing supplier, before choosing Podfather based on its feature rich offering and specific market experience.
“Podfather offered everything we needed and, due to experience with other customers in the same sector as us, were able to understand our initial requirements and future needs,” Hughes continued. “This has made the implementation and adoption process much easier than if we had selected a partner with no knowledge of heavy haulage.”
Originally established as a small haulage and plant hire operator in 1977, GD Harries has evolved into one of Wales’ largest independent suppliers of aggregates as well as being a major civil engineering company. Situated in West Wales, it owns seven granite, limestone and sandstone quarries, three asphalt plants, eight concrete plants, and its own sea transportation port at Pembroke Dock. Using its fleet of mixer and tipper trucks, GD Harries supplies construction solutions and materials, including aggregate, ready-mix concrete, and asphalt, servicing its own and third-party construction and highway maintenance projects.
Since implementing Podfather, which includes logistics planning, route optimisation and proof of delivery (POD) functionality, last year, GD Harries has eliminated paper from its transport operation. Drivers access their daily schedule, complete with configurable delivery notes, via the Podfather app. They navigate between jobs using in-built routing, and real-time tracking allows for total visibility of the fleet’s movements. Whilst onsite, drivers digitally record delivery details, including date, time, and location stamped, as well as photographs and signatures, in just a few clicks, and this information is instantly shareable with the customer and back office.
“Our responsiveness to customer queries has greatly improved since implementing Podfather,” concluded Hughes. “Because everything is digital, everything is accessible and sharable. This means fewer queries, and those that we do get, we can answer much quicker – usually at the first point of contact. This is good for us and great for our customer experience.”
GD Harries also uses Podfather’s Vehicle Check features. Compulsory guided walkarounds provide early notification of potential defects or issues, helping keep the trucks on the road and out of the garage, whilst photographs taken in the case of a breakdown help with both recovery and diagnostics to get trucks back on the road quicker.
