3663 First for Foodservice Reviews Routes and Comes Up With the Winning Numbers Using Optrak

3663 First for Foodservice is the UK's leading foodservice wholesale distributor and provides dedicated frozen, fresh, chilled and full multi-temperature delivery with flexibility, speed of response and local knowledge that is vital to its customers.

38 depots serve up to 53,000 customers and a fleet of single and multi-temperature vehicles follow a series of fixed routes or 'milk rounds' for delivery.

"We wanted to review the efficiency of our routes and ensure we make the most appropriate use of our transport resources. With recent legislation, there was an additional requirement to take a fresh look at our fleet and driver usage," said Graham Rennie, Director of Fleet, 3663 First for Foodservice, "The Optrak vehicle routing solution matched our requirements closely and the team at Optrak also demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the food and drink sector."

Optrak consultants worked closely with 3663 First for Foodservice to gain a complete understanding of their business requirements. A number of procedures were created to help 3663 First for Foodservice build new fixed routes. These can be easily measured against existing routes. All new routes are then tested and validated against the historical data to ensure the routes are feasible and effective.

Throughout the route reviews, Optrak automatically rechecks all constraints to make sure that delivery windows, vehicle weight/volume limits and customer access restrictions are all obeyed. Optrak copes with an unlimited number of time windows and this flexibility is critical to 3663 First for Foodservice satisfying customer needs.

Alexa Allison, Route Planning Manager explains, "Optrak allows us to review our fixed routes in an accurate and timely fashion. When we are discussing the changes with local transport managers and drivers, it helps to show their current routes displayed against Optrak's detailed roadmap."

James Ogley, Route Planning Manager is enthusiastic about the depot re-planning, "Optrak has to cope with recreating our unique and demanding logistics requirements and it does a very good job. The aim is to improve our efficiency and reduce transport costs by cutting mileage travelled and Optrak makes it easy for us to see this."

3663 First for Foodservice has been able to reduce kilometres travelled and fuel usage which helps its commitment to managing environmental impacts and minimising carbon emissions. Other benefits from the re-planning include increased consistency over routes, the elimination of any routes crossing over and increased staff morale through the better management of drivers' hours.

"Optrak has played a vital role in helping 3663 First for Foodservice meet its responsibilities under the WTD and minimise our impact on the environment. We have reduced the mileage that our vehicles travel whilst providing better service to customers," Rennie concludes.

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