Selco Builders Warehouse is using a new transport planning platform to streamline deliveries of complex and abnormal-sized loads.
The builders’ merchant provides a trade-only service through its 68-strong UK network.
It runs a distribution hub for ‘heavy side’ construction products in Edmonton, north London, supplying six outlets, and turned to My Transport Planner to help drive efficiencies for this operation.
My Transport Planner is a pay-as-you-go, web-based platform.
It uses powerful algorithms to optimise routes and delivery schedules, improving productivity while reducing costs and total fleet mileage.
Richard Evans, head of transport operations at Selco, said My Transport Planner had solved several key issues for the business, especially for products with ‘out-of-gauge profiles’.
“One of the benefits of the optimisation platform is that it removes any element of human fallibility and subjectivity,” he said. “Making efficiency improvements is a given.
“This product is a gamechanger for us. It’s allowing us to embrace efficiencies even with abnormal loads, which other products simply couldn’t give us.
“We had looked for a long time for a system which could optimise what we term ‘complex and dirty loads’ where the consignment doesn’t fit into standard pallet sizes,” he added.
“With My Transport Planner we can put all orders on the system and then optimise them by vehicle. This will improve our customer experience, which was our first objective, although it will undoubtedly bring cost benefits as well.”
Selco is now upgrading to My Transport Planner Pro, which includes additional features including fully automated optimisation and mobile apps.
This will include automatically sending each driver their optimised schedule; electronic proof of delivery; messaging by voice or email; and managing daily vehicle checks in with the company’s vehicle pre-use check policy.
My Transport Planner is offering a free 30-day trial to help companies adjusting to operating during a pandemic.
