Browns Builders Merchants implements delivery software from Podfather

Browns has announced it is implementing logistics planning, route optimisation and electronic proof of delivery software from Podfather.

The Podfather software is already helping the company make better informed decisions based on the real-time information captured by the system, Browns expects an increases in its efficiency and improved communication, building on its commitment to customer service.

“When COVID hit it impacted our business in a number of ways,” said Edward Parlato, branch manager at Browns and Podfather champion. “The number and nature of our deliveries changed, with more orders from members of the public, and the type of service that they wanted changed, with a more ‘Amazon’ experience expected as the norm.

“We also realised that the transport operation was heavily reliant on our transport co-ordinator; so, if they were absent things has the potential to fall apart. I had been on the receiving end of the Podfather solution, as suppliers such as Rexel, Tarmac and Breedon use it, and knew that it could be a great fit for the business.”

Prior to implementing Podfather, Browns was reliant on manual processes and paper documents, an experienced transport co-ordinator planned each day’s deliveries and drivers were issued with the relevant paperwork.

Routes are produced and optimised, based on locations, item volumes and weights, and customer requirements, and automated ETA notifications are issued. All paperwork is sent directly to the drivers’ mobile phone or tablet, and management has total visibility of the delivery operation as it unfolds with any issues instantly flagged.

Browns is a family run business based in Derby that has been in existence for more than 100 years and its Nottingham Road depot is located on the site of the old Browns Foundry. In its current form Browns Builders Merchants has been supplying building materials to the trade and public since 1990.

Parlato added: “Our fleet utilisation is much higher, with less downtime and fewer trips back to depot, and our customer interactions are more informed. We have fewer calls from customers with queries and those we do have can be answered at first point of contact.

“Ideally, we’d like to get to the point where every call we take is a sales call and complaints are a thing of the past.”