Rexel UK is now using Podfather fleet planning, route optimisation and electronic proof of delivery software to strengthen its supply chain.

Operating a mixed fleet of nearly 400 vehicles, ranging from 3.5 tonne vans to 18 tonne trucks, Rexel makes around 5,000 deliveries a day. Rexel uses Podfather to manage overnight deliveries from its hubs, including a newly opened multi-million-pound distribution centre in Aylesbury, to branches across the UK. The logistics solution is also used at a regional level for ‘last mile’ deliveries from branches to customer sites or home locations.

At the start of each shift, all Rexel drivers are guided through a series of customised vehicle checks to ensure both driver and vehicle are roadworthy and ready for the day, or night, ahead. These checks include welfare questions in accordance with Rexel’s FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) accreditation, as well as routine safety checks, and all responses are recorded, using the Podfather app, making them easy to access for fleet management and compliance reporting.

For ‘last mile’ deliveries, Podfather is used to plan routes and optimise vehicle journeys ensuring customer time windows are met, unnecessary mileage is reduced and vehicle capacities are maximised. Details of the route are sent directly to the driver’s mobile device, removing the need for paper tickets and delivery manifests, and ETA notifications are sent by email and text. This has transformed Rexel’s customer facing interactions and removed the disconnect between sales and warehouse operations.

Chris Davey, Supply Chain Director at Rexel, commented: “Using Podfather we have professionalised our delivery service from the start of each driver’s shift right through to the point of delivery. We know that our drivers and vehicles are fit for purpose; we know our operation is as efficient as possible, and we have real-time visibility of schedules as they unfold. This information is easy to access and easy to share, meaning that our warehouse and branch operations are better connected and that our customers are well informed.”

Find more industry news here

The post Rexel boosts delivery services with Podfather software appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Six businesses celebrated receiving an EDA Data Quality Award recently as part of the Association’s Annual Digitalisation Forum in the City of London. Presenting the Awards were Edgar Aponte, CEO at Rexel UK, and Richard Appleton, the EDA’s Head of Digitalisation.

This year’s winners were drawn from amongst the 70+ leading manufacturer brands subscribing to the EDATA data pool to share their product information with multiple wholesalers. Every EDA member wholesaler has free access to EDATA, and this year an additional award was given to Worcester Electrical Distributors Ltd in recognition of their early adoption and integration of the data pool into their business.

This year’s EDA Data Quality Award winners were:

Aico Ltd
Overall Data Quality Award <1,000 SKUs

D G Controls Ltd
Overall Data Quality Award 1,000 – 2,000 SKUs

CMP Products Ltd
Overall Data Quality Award >2,000 SKUs

Atkore Unistrut & Marco
Most Complete ETIM data 

Electrium Sales Ltd (A Siemens Company)
Data Maintenance Award

Worcester Electrical Distributors Ltd
EDATA Early Adopter

100 delegates attended the EDA’s Digitalisation Forum & Data Quality Awards, hearing presentations from expert speakers on a range of digitalisation topics, including a session and panel discussion on the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the UK’s electrotechnical sector delivered by AI expert and innovator, Paul Bratcher.

In addition to the main Awards, eight businesses received a commendation for achieving Gold Standard product data in the EDATA data pool, bringing the total number of manufacturers with Gold Standard product data to 39:

• Aurora Lighting
• Atkore Unistrut & Marco
• CMP Products Ltd
• Deta Electric Co Ltd
• Electrium Sales (A Siemens Company)
• Elta Trade
• Greenbrook
• Olympic Fixings

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, said: “The EDATA data pool is one of the key pillars of the EDA’s work and we have experienced substantial growth since we launched in 2020. In October this year we sailed past the 200,000 SKUs live in EDATA but we never take our eyes off the ball when it comes to data quality. Wholesalers, and their contractor customers, depend on easy access to enriched product information to drive sales and today our Awards recognise the fantastic work that businesses of all sizes are putting in to supporting wholesaler businesses.”

For related articles, click here

The post EDA Data Quality Awards recognise significance of data excellence for wholesale sector appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.