Nectar Imports has selected Paragon’s routing and scheduling software to optimise its daily drinks distribution. The drinks supplier will use Paragon to manage its delivery operations and ensure its reputation for flexibility and promise of next working day delivery is maintained as the company continues to grow.
Since its creation over 30 years ago, Nectar has become the leading drinks distributor in the South of England, operating a fleet of around 20 vehicles out of its state of the art warehouse. The company delivers a range of drinks, from the very latest in craft beers and ciders to the trendiest gin in town, to restaurants, clubs and hotels on a daily basis.
Nectar’s distribution operation runs on fixed routes, but the company has outgrown its previous manual approach to planning and scheduling due to the continuous growth of the business. The Paragon system will enable dynamic planning, helping Nectar to proactively manage its transport activities and increase the efficiency of its fleet.
“With seasonal variations and order volumes influenced by trade in hospitality businesses on a day to day basis, our approach to deliveries must be both flexible and accurate. Delivery requirements, times, places, people, even high tide times in London for those customers on the water, are all taken into consideration to make sure our customers have the stock they need,” said Mike Cross, General Manager, Nectar Imports. “We looked at a number of different systems, but the Paragon routing and scheduling software and support team stood out as the right combination to help us keep our customers topped up.”
Nectar expects to benefit from reduced planning time and improved reporting capabilities, as well as strategic what-if modelling based on real customer data – a huge benefit in this particular sector of the logistics industry, as the company will be able to plan ahead to accommodate seasonal demand fluctuations.
“We are delighted to welcome Nectar Imports as a Paragon customer,” said William Salter, Managing Director, Paragon. “Accurate routing and scheduling is absolutely key to managing a business like Nectar that combines choice, flexibility and reliability whilst also under pressure to keep costs to a minimum. More and more distribution operations are choosing Paragon because they are confident we can help transport planners more effectively manage their driver and vehicle resources, enabling improved operational efficiencies and, consequently, real cost savings.”
