Macfarlane Packaging makes significant savings on fleet and fuel use with Paragon

Dorking, 24 November 2011 – Macfarlane Packaging has made six figure savings since implementing an integrated transport optimisation and vehicle tracking solution from Paragon Software Systems. The software has helped the leading packaging distributor to maximise vehicle capacity and improve the efficiency of deliveries to customers whilst reducing the size of its fleet by 10 per cent. The software continues to provide savings through optimised delivery routes and schedules.

Macfarlane also uses Paragon for modelling transport plans across all its UK-wide depots - which helps optimise fleet capacities, move vehicles to where they will provide best service and guide new vehicle acquisition. This modelling capability is also used to help identify and develop new business opportunities.

"We made significant early savings in operational costs with Paragon. The software allowed us to identify that we had spare capacity within the fleet and reduce the number of vehicles. It makes our deliveries to customers more efficient and enables us to run fuel-efficient routes and schedules that maximise our service and vehicle capacities. With the ever rising cost of fuel, the system ensures we get the best use from each vehicle," says John Redman, Logistics Development Manager, Macfarlane Packaging.

Each depot uses Paragon for daily planning to allow for changing customer demands. The software is integrated with Macfarlane's Cybit Fleetstar vehicle tracking system using Paragon Fleet Controller software, which gives a real-time view of delivery activity against the plan, making communication with customers more accurate. The software also allows orders to be brought forward to maximise fleet capacity and improve customer service.

"The system gives us visibility. We can highlight the size of orders, the different delivery areas and even pull orders forward to ensure we have maximum loading for each vehicle. This is important when we are making an average of 800 deliveries a day across the UK. The live feed from the vehicle tracking system allows us to see actual activity against the plan and update the scheduled route timings. We can also edit the plan according to customer opening and closing times, loading and off-loading rates, and new mapping details so that the system has up to date information," continues John Redman.

Macfarlane Packaging is the leading UK distributor of packaging -products with a market share of approximately 20 per cent. The company operates through 17 Regional Distribution Centres supplying customers on a local, regional and national basis. Macfarlane also has two manufacturing sites for bespoke packaging solutions.


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