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Time consuming planning, long hours and high driver turnover probably describe the challenges faced by many beer distributors. Thousands of SKUs, seasonal fluctuations and rising transportation costs are causing distributors, like Champion Brands, to look for transportation management software to help optimize operational efficiencies.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Champion Brands has over 3000 customers and routes of 35-40 trucks daily. "Turnover was at an all-time high. We were burning out our drivers, routers and loaders with the number of extra hours they were putting in daily," stated Mike Nearbin, service director for Champion Brands. So Mike turned to Roadnet Technologies and licensed Territory Planner, Roadnet and FleetLoader.
Until they began using Territory Planner, Champion Brands would reroute deliveries by using 3x5 cards on a conference table once a year with 15 supervisors. "This process would take nearly two months, was very time consuming and expensive. Now with Territory Planner, I can perform the reroutes, provide 'what-if' scenarios, or prepare a holiday route within just a few hours," Nearbin said.
The company was hesitant at first, feeling that the software would be too complicated. However, Mike mentioned that the software is very user friendly, even though he is not a "computer guy." He has even been able to walk someone through the routing process over the phone, while he was out of the office.
Champion Brands had experienced significant driver turnover, prior to the Territory Planner implementation. Now, driver turnover is virtually non-existent, because they have been able to reduce the average driver day from 10 hours to 8 hours, and reduce over 100 miles per week per truck. Additionally, Mike was able to route each sales territory to be paired with a driver, significantly improving customer service.
Mike Nearbin has also been able to present significant financial results to the management team, including:
Estimated 1st year cost savings of $300,000
Eliminated 4 conventional routes
$400 per day total savings (fuel & labor)
50% reduction in routing and loading time
Additionally, Mike stated that they would not need to make investments in equipment this year, because of the operational efficiencies gained from Roadnet Technologies solutions. Champion Brands is also estimating an increase in sales by 4-7%!
Mike commented that the work environment has forever changed. Employee morale and quality of life has increased dramatically. They no longer spend months planning reroutes, routers spend less time routing orders, and load time has decreased from an all night process to 8 hours.
Mike's favorite feature of Roadnet is that he can print the driver itinerary with special instructions for each stop, which has considerably increased customer service and satisfaction. When asked about the quality of Roadnet customer service, Mike stated "Outstanding! Pick up the phone and issues are resolved, even on a Sunday!"
Champion Brands and Roadnet Technologies have built a solid relationship and that will continue to develop in the years to come.
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