Fresh Direct, one of the UK’s major fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers to the Food Service sector, has boosted its customer service levels through the smart application of Paragon Software Systems’ route optimisation software.
Fresh Direct will use the strategic planning functionality to underpin the company’s aim of delivering consistent top quality service through on time deliveries of pristine produce to all of its customers, regardless of where they are situated throughout the UK.
By using the route optimisation software to model the ideal fresh food delivery solution for its customers in fine detail, Fresh Direct is able to optimise its resources and services. The additional benefit of this accurate planning is improved efficiencies for both Fresh Direct and its customers, including better management of the company’s carbon footprint.
Fresh Direct makes more than 10,000 deliveries a week from its 6 regional depots that serve catering businesses across the UK – these include pubs and restaurants, hotel groups, premium retail, colleges, conference centres and event organisers. The depots are located in Bicester, Cambridge, Evesham, Manchester, Skelmersdale and Glasgow.
The company’s fleet ranges from 1.2 tonne local delivery vans to 44 tonne tractor and trailer units, as well as dedicated rapid response vehicles for urgent deliveries. With Paragon’s route optimisation software the company can accurately plan the ideal route from the appropriate depot and choose the most efficient vehicle for each delivery to meet the customer’s specific requirements.
“We work very closely with our customers to ensure that we provide the best delivery option for their individual business model. In order for them to meet their own customer’s expectations, we must provide on time deliveries as well as provide short life span products that are in perfect condition. Our goal is to meet this requirement consistently. Our investment in the Paragon route optimisation software means that we can achieve this and at the same time reduce the number of trips we make through better utilisation of vehicles and by using the most suitable depot. The system gives us a base line from which we can view our performance and provides the control we need to achieve a dependable high quality service,” says Nick Allen, Head of Logistics, Fresh Direct.
