Marshalls Vegetables optimises transport efficiency with Isotrak

Lincolnshire-based fresh produce supplier Marshalls (a member of the Produce World Group of companies which includes Rustler Onions, Isleham Fresh Produce, RB Organic and Solanum) has chosen Isotraks Active Transport Management System (ATMS) to monitor and improve the performance of its delivery fleet.

ATMS, delivered as a browser-accessible hosted managed service, fuses the latest satellite tracking technology with deep transport insight to deliver real-time visibility and measurement of whole-fleet (and individual-vehicle) location and execution.

Based on the business-focused insights ATMS provides, Marshalls expects to achieve a swift Return on Investment (RoI) through the cost savings and improved customer service that will arise once it starts tracking, measuring and improving the efficiency of its vehicles.

Marshalls relied on by many of the UKs leading supermarket retailers to deliver fresh produce on time, 364 days per year operates a temperature-controlled distribution fleet of 34 tractor units and 51 refrigerated trailers, as part of a sophisticated pan-European logistics operation. Now, thanks to Isotraks ATMS, Marshalls will be able to pinpoint and improve inefficient areas of the operation (e.g. where there are excessive turnaround times and unauthorised stops), and will improve its customer service through more accurate delivery-time estimates.

Another crucial benefit is Isotraks ability to provide independent tractor and trailer tracking, including real-time monitoring of refrigerator performance and trailer temperature. This can instantly alert transport managers to potential or current problems, permitting them to take remedial action at the earliest possible opportunity, and potentially preventing the expenditure of a wasted load.

Maximising driving efficiency

At the same time as banking the benefits of improved fleet efficiency, Marshalls has also invested in the additional cost savings available by addressing fleet-wide best practice in driving styles. To facilitate this, Isotraks CANbus engine management interface links with a vehicles engine management system to observe parameters such as throttle opening, brake actuation, use of cruise control and idling time. This data provides a simple red, amber, green scorecard to build a profile of specific driving styles, to highlight where individuals might benefit from training as well as recognising superior skills where they already exist. Isotraks own trials have shown that by adopting best practice fuel saving driving styles such as gentle acceleration and braking, optimal use of cruise control and avoiding excessive idling, fuel cost savings of up to 19% can be achieved (see http://tinyurl.com/a2taun).

A clear business case

Marshalls selection of Isotrak was driven by the authoritative business case created by Isotrak as part of its Transport Efficiency Analysis (TEA). The TEA is a unique service to prospective customers, which models current fleet performance by tracking (and monitoring driving styles in) a representative sample of fleet vehicles. Isotraks in-house logisticians compare current performance with the improvements that have been observed in other similar fleets, and use this to indicate savings that could be achieved across the whole fleet by improving efficiency and driving styles.

Commenting on the implementation, Mick Huskisson, Transport Coordinator of Marshalls, said: Operating from multiple sites and delivering over 30 individual product lines direct to Europes most demanding retail customers, Marshalls business depends on maintaining a high-integrity cool-chain and the highest standards of fleet visibility and customer service. Isotrak, with its ability to closely analyse our fleets performance and pinpoint ways to boost efficiency, has given us a fresh competitive edge.

Craig Sears-Black, Sales & Marketing Director of Isotrak, added: Were delighted to be working with Marshalls Vegetables and look forward to helping them transform their business through improved fleet efficiency. Our unique TEA simulation tool, and transport-focused consultancy approach, allowed us to demonstrate productivity benefits and RoI before Marshalls made any commitment.