Denis May drive up transport productivity with Podfather

Route optimization and electronic proof-of-delivery software gives south-west-based firm a boost

 

CONSTRUCTION materials manufacturers Denis May & Sons Ltd have implemented Podfather’s route-optimization and electronic proof-of-delivery software as part of a major overhaul of their IT infrastructure. Delivering concrete blocks and aggregates to builders’ merchants, ground workers, house builders, and developers, Denis May selected Podfather as it had a proven track record, flexible configuration, and was exceptionally well supported.

Denis May, a third-generation family-run business, is a well-known name across the south-west of England having been in operation since 1947. Since implementing Podfather in January 2023, the company has reduced its transport administration resource significantly.

‘We reviewed a number of systems before selecting Podfather,’ commented Sally Hodgson, business support manager at Denis May & Sons. ‘Despite being much of a muchness on paper, Podfather came across as different.

‘Podfather ticked all the boxes for functionality and performance, it was compatible with Sage, and the development and support services on offer were first class. However, it was the little things that made the difference. Podfather didn’t care that we were a relatively small operation and it didn’t matter that we worked differently to other delivery models. Podfather were committed to working with our team to make sure the system performed as we needed it to perform, and delivered tangible results, from the outset.’

Using their own fleet of delivery trucks as well as external hauliers, Denis May produce and distribute 375,000 concrete blocks a week across Cornwall and Devon. Working with builders’ merchants such as Bradfords, Jewson, and Travis Perkins, and groundworkers such as Fred Champion, Denis May make around 250 block deliveries a week and deliver around 5,000 tonnes of aggregate.

Denis May selected Podfather as the first stage of a major IT project that has now seen the company replace its outdated CRM software with an ERP solution from Sage.

Since implementing Podfather, the management of the transport operation has been fully automated; each day the system guides drivers through a series of vehicle checks, providing early warning of defects and forthcoming maintenance issues. Daily delivery schedules are intelligently planned, taking into account load volumes and delivery locations, and schedules are sent directly to the drivers mobile app.

Moreover, customer ETA notifications are sent to alert customers when their materials will be delivered, and the transport department has a real-time view of every truck and every delivery, providing early notice of any delays or issues. Electronic proof-of-delivery documents are reducing the company’s reliance on paper and improving the flow of information between delivery drivers, customers, and the finance department.

‘Podfather has been a breath of fresh air,’ concluded Sally Hodgson. ‘Before we started using Podfather incomplete or mislaid delivery notes were the bane of our lives. Paper documents had to be manually entered into the system and missing documents meant there was sometimes a delay in our invoicing process.

‘Since implementing the system, it takes our transport department literally half the time it used to take to manage the delivery operation and our finance team no longer has to spend a day a week chasing down delivery notes so they can issue invoices.’