Alcohol distributor sees increased driver productivity, better vehicle utilization by deploying Cube Route logistics solutions
Chicago — April 3, 2006 — Beverage company Empire Distributors is using a logistics visibility solution from Cube Route to gain insight into its delivery operations and has already seen increased driver productivity, better vehicle utilization and more effective customer service, the solution provider has announced.
A wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages in the Southeastern United States, Empire is using the Cube Route Visibility Solution, an on-demand, subscription-based logistics management solution that provides transportation and distribution organizations with a way to monitor and manage delivery fleets.
Using the Cube Route solution, dispatchers, managers and customer service representatives have a real-time view of driver movement and order status across an entire operation. Empire has deployed the Cube Route Visibility Solution at its Atlanta location, which is the largest of seven warehouses servicing major restaurants, bars and grocery and liquor stores in Georgia and North Carolina.
Ensuring Driver Accountability
"Before Cube Route, we had limited visibility into our delivery operations," said Dyrc Mcleod, director of operations at Empire. "Now we can effectively manage our business and use a wealth of real time and historical information to set delivery benchmarks, ensure our drivers are accountable for their routes and measure productivity against a plan."
A primary factor in selecting Cube Route was its on-demand business model: Empire had no upfront capital costs to contend with; were up and running within two weeks; and, with universal access to real-time delivery information through a Web portal, can provide support agents and sales staff with the insight required to be more productive in sales and service.
Using GPS-enabled mobile phones, Cube Route initiates visibility the moment an Empire driver departs for the first stop. As soon as the driver leaves for that stop, GPS pings are sent from the phone, automatically updating the location, speed and direction on maps on a dedicated Web site that can be accessed anywhere through a standard Web browser.
Improving On-time Performance
Cube Route said that its solution enables Empire to monitor actual driver performance against engineered plans, giving the transportation managers vital information to continually improve route efficiency and reduce driver overtime. The solution helps Empire to monitor costs down to each delivery and determine profitability levels for every route, driver and customer, the solution provider said.
Since deploying the Cube Route solution, Empire has improved on-time delivery performance, reduced the number of returns from customers and can track customer delays. Using this information, Empire can optimize its route structure to drive even greater operational efficiencies.
Empire's sales staff also benefit from Cube Route by using real time delivery information for proactive client follow up. These combined benefits have delivered a return on investment in just six months, according to Cube Route.
"Empire is a leader in its market and is setting standards in business performance that should be adopted by other businesses with last mile delivery needs," said Alex Walker, CEO of Cube Route. "Using our solution, Empire will be able to continually optimize their operations and achieve an even greater return on their investment."
Additional Articles of Interest
— To build a competency in supply network design, this consumer products company first had to build confidence. Read more in "Designing the Best Supply Chain Gillette Can Get," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— Businesses today continue to look for ways to reduce their logistics costs, but in order to identify further costs savings, companies need to tap into new information. The answer? Benchmarking. Read more in "Freight Cost Benchmarking: The Final Procurement Level," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
Chicago — April 3, 2006 — Beverage company Empire Distributors is using a logistics visibility solution from Cube Route to gain insight into its delivery operations and has already seen increased driver productivity, better vehicle utilization and more effective customer service, the solution provider has announced.
A wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages in the Southeastern United States, Empire is using the Cube Route Visibility Solution, an on-demand, subscription-based logistics management solution that provides transportation and distribution organizations with a way to monitor and manage delivery fleets.
Using the Cube Route solution, dispatchers, managers and customer service representatives have a real-time view of driver movement and order status across an entire operation. Empire has deployed the Cube Route Visibility Solution at its Atlanta location, which is the largest of seven warehouses servicing major restaurants, bars and grocery and liquor stores in Georgia and North Carolina.
Ensuring Driver Accountability
"Before Cube Route, we had limited visibility into our delivery operations," said Dyrc Mcleod, director of operations at Empire. "Now we can effectively manage our business and use a wealth of real time and historical information to set delivery benchmarks, ensure our drivers are accountable for their routes and measure productivity against a plan."
A primary factor in selecting Cube Route was its on-demand business model: Empire had no upfront capital costs to contend with; were up and running within two weeks; and, with universal access to real-time delivery information through a Web portal, can provide support agents and sales staff with the insight required to be more productive in sales and service.
Using GPS-enabled mobile phones, Cube Route initiates visibility the moment an Empire driver departs for the first stop. As soon as the driver leaves for that stop, GPS pings are sent from the phone, automatically updating the location, speed and direction on maps on a dedicated Web site that can be accessed anywhere through a standard Web browser.
Improving On-time Performance
Cube Route said that its solution enables Empire to monitor actual driver performance against engineered plans, giving the transportation managers vital information to continually improve route efficiency and reduce driver overtime. The solution helps Empire to monitor costs down to each delivery and determine profitability levels for every route, driver and customer, the solution provider said.
Since deploying the Cube Route solution, Empire has improved on-time delivery performance, reduced the number of returns from customers and can track customer delays. Using this information, Empire can optimize its route structure to drive even greater operational efficiencies.
Empire's sales staff also benefit from Cube Route by using real time delivery information for proactive client follow up. These combined benefits have delivered a return on investment in just six months, according to Cube Route.
"Empire is a leader in its market and is setting standards in business performance that should be adopted by other businesses with last mile delivery needs," said Alex Walker, CEO of Cube Route. "Using our solution, Empire will be able to continually optimize their operations and achieve an even greater return on their investment."
Additional Articles of Interest
— To build a competency in supply network design, this consumer products company first had to build confidence. Read more in "Designing the Best Supply Chain Gillette Can Get," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
— Businesses today continue to look for ways to reduce their logistics costs, but in order to identify further costs savings, companies need to tap into new information. The answer? Benchmarking. Read more in "Freight Cost Benchmarking: The Final Procurement Level," in the February/March 2006 issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
- More articles about Cube Route.
