The Bartrum Group overhauls fleet management with Freeway
The Bartrum Group is overhauling the management of its 430-strong fleet with the latest software from Freeway Fleet Systems. The Suffolk-based freight company has realised significant time and cost savings using the Freeway fleet software to improve cost control, cut paperwork and reduce administrative work.
Bartrums use Freeway for managing parts stock and purchasing, as well as a system for managing workshop-related operations such as work scheduling, defects and compliance. Freeway is linked to the Mandata transport management system, giving the Traffic Office instant visibility of vehicle availability, and integration with Sage accounts has eliminated hours of manual data entry.
“To maintain our fleet we hold around 6200 parts and managing this stock is a real challenge” says Andrew Watton, Group CSO, The Bartrum Group. “Freeway has revolutionised things here. Not only can we better manage stock levels and purchasing but we can also drill down and look at the cost performance of all vehicles and parts.
The data we now have is seen as credible - it is factual data - and that means we can make smarter buying decisions and reduce costs. It’s already provided valuable information on the cost performance of our fleet resulting in reassessment of tipper write-off periods and a switch of trailer manufacturer.”
The Bartrum Group specialises in dedicated logistics, road haulage, warehousing and pallet distribution and runs a 24 hours workshop operation. The company offers vehicle maintenance services to other fleet operators such as UK Power Networks, Frontier and a number of local firms in areas such as construction.
Bartrums are gradually replacing paper records with electronic reporting with an app for driver checks and in the workshop fitters are being equipped with rugged tablets running Freeway software that replaces paper job sheets and engineering inspection sheets.
“The mobile devices eliminate data entry and provide real-time data so defect details and workshop schedules can be updated immediately. It means we have all round visibility and it helps the traffic office optimise vehicle and driver utilisation,” comments Watton. “Freeway also gives us the capability to easily generate compliance documentation including reports for the DVSA Earned Recognition scheme.”
Still family owned and established in 1929, The Bartrums Group provides national UK coverage from its depots in Eye Suffolk, Warrington Cheshire, Rugby Warwickshire and Bristol.