Isotrak has been chosen as the preferred transport management provider for the Britvic Soft Drinks bulk logistics operation, which is run by Wincanton.
Following extensive trials, Isotrak's Active Transport Management System (ATMS) emerged as the superior transport management solution for deliveries from Britvic's Network of Drive Sites including the National Distribution Centre (NDC) at Magna Park in Lutterworth, which is also operated by Wincanton.
Isotrak's system (based on satellite tracking, vehicle telematics and immensely powerful server applications) demonstrated several crucial advantages to Wincanton, including fuel savings, driver management, improved productivity and the increasingly crucial ability to provide visibility of inbound deliveries to supermarkets' own Distribution Centres (DCs). Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrison's and Tesco already use Isotrak's ATMS to run their own store distribution fleet operations.
Isotrak's unique 'Retail Integration' capability also holds the potential for additional supply chain efficiency boosts in future, for example by permitting suppliers to link seamlessly with supermarkets' own automated continuous stock replenishment systems. A video now available on Isotrak's website shows how this process is already in action with Tesco1.
Another valuable benefit of ATMS is its ability to save fuel by monitoring and enhancing individual driving styles. Data published by Isotrak in summer 20082 indicated fuel cost savings of 19% can be achieved simply by adopting best practice fuel saving driving styles, such as gentle acceleration and braking, optimal use of cruise control and avoiding excessive idling.
Because ATMS is a modular system, Wincanton's installation has been tailored to its precise needs, and thus includes:
vehicle tracking
resource management based on tracking data and linked with Wincanton's existing scheduling system
CANbus integration to facilitate driving style management
Isotrak's ATMS has been rolled out across 45 new Mercedes Actros Wincanton vehicles operating out of Britvic's Magna Park NDC, with scope to install more as required. The install was completed in just six weeks – testament to Isotrak's highly sophisticated installations team, which is expert in working around the restless schedules of busy vehicles to minimise downtime.
Craig Sears-Black, Sales & Marketing Director of Isotrak, comments: "We're delighted to have won this contract in the face of stiff opposition and against a demanding customer brief. However what's really exciting is the potential here to make a real difference in the supply chain, through closer integration between supermarkets and their suppliers."
Stuart McFarlane, Primary Network Manager for the Wincanton Britvic NDC, comments: "Wincanton promises its customers that it will constantly strive for operational excellence, focus on their needs, build and maintain product leadership and deliver value. Isotrak emerged clearly as the company we could trust to help us keep those promises."