Aggregate Industries improve green performance with Podfather

New logistics software supports sustainable working and improves operational performance

AGGREGATE Industries have rolled out new logistics software to support sustainable working and improve operational performance. The Concrete Products Division makes hundreds of deliveries a day using the system from Podfather 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 estimate their delivery operation is now 90% paper free, and their on-time performance rate has been boosted from 93.9% in 2023 to nearly 97% in the year to date.

Aggregate Industries aim to be the UK leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, dedicated to decarbonizing its own operations and supporting the country’s transition to net zero.

The 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 decarbonization 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 optimization, vehicle safety, and customer notification features, Aggregate Industries share delivery tickets with their 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 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 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 on-time performance of 3% in the last year.’