Forward Thinking

Delivering Results
We have seen 20% improvement in productivity thanks to iTracks. It has definitely enabled us to realize savings. 
Stuart Warren, Regional Director & MD, CAT-UK
 
CAT-UK
CAT UK provides a complex range of value-added services to automotive manufacturers, dealer groups, rental companies and fleet owners, including PDI on 100% of units, fitting accessories on line, remarketing used vehicles and vehicle delivery to end users. Group wide, Renault remains CATs major customer. In the UK alone, accounting for over 150,000 of 200,000 units per annum processed through CAT UKs two main centres in Southampton and Teesport.
 
The challenge
We were looking for a management system that would give us control and visibility of the processes in the workshop. 
Stuart Warren, Regional Director & MD, Cat-UK
 
Manage increasingly complex service demands
Maintain customer service levels
Improve efficiency
Control costs
 
The challenge for CAT UK was to manage increasingly complex service demands from a growing and diversifying customer base, whilst maintaining high levels of customer service and controlling costs.
 
Interface with existing systems
The company recognized the need to replace existing rudimentary workshop systems at its two major import centres, Southampton and Teesport, with a more sophisticated system, common to both sites. The new management system needed to be able to interface with Group level systems, to gain information on imported vehicle flows from multiple countries, including Renaults inbound vehicle flows from its production base in the UK.
 
Increased service complexity
However, over and above this base data, CAT UK wanted the ability independently to add new services to meet individual customer requirements, fulfilling locally based contracts with Renault UK, their dealers and dealerships for other marques as well as rental companies and finance/leasing houses.
 

The Solution
iTracks enables CAT to offer unrivalled levels and complexity of service.                 
Stuart Warren, Regional Director & MD CAT UK
 
Interface with group systems for imported vehicle flows
Flexible builder modules to facilitate development of complex services
Micro visibility of workshop processes
Parts ordering and stock management
Reporting and control of workforce productivity
Daily reporting
 
Flexible and adaptable
Following competitive tender, CAT identified iTracks, the market leading logistics management system from UK based specialists Vehnet, as the most flexible software available. Using unique Application Builder technology, iTracks provided an adaptable tool that enabled CAT to build a tailored solution to meet its specific UK requirements, whilst interfacing with CATs Group level systems.

Innovative functionality
Working closely in partnership, Vehnet and CAT together developed, tested and implemented innovative new functionality, which now forms part of the iTracks standard product.
 
Micro visibility of processes
Macro visibility of the supply chain from factory to import centre and from import centre to dealer is available to CAT UK via Group systems, however the implementation of iTracks has provided micro visibility of workshop processes, which includes enabling CAT to manage parts ordering as part of intelligent work flow, giving visibility of parts required, parts ordered, parts in stock and integrating that information with the enquiry system.
 
Improved efficiency and reduced cost
A further function of iTracks was the facility for CAT UK to monitor, record and control operative hours worked, by job and by workplace, which enables CAT to assess productivity and set priorities accordingly, substantially improving efficiency and driving down costs.

Results
Vehnet has enabled CAT to become the best-in-class service provider in our marketplace, and we envisage continuing to working with them in long term partnership to develop further industry leading solutions.
Stuart Warren, Regional Director & MD, CAT-UK
 
Instant & real time visibility of workshops
Enhanced complexity of service offering
Increased control
Reduced costs
Improved productivity
Competitive edge
Long term proactive planning
 
Enhanced Complexity
Since the implementation of iTracks, CAT UK has achieved instant and real time visibility of all workshop processes. Currently, the company is processing around 60 vehicles per hour and running on three shifts. Over 200,000 vehicles per annum are processed through 2 import centres; individual processing requirements are allocated to each vehicle, including one of 20 possible PDI specifications, plus any additional services, from specialist badging requirements to fitting of post assembly dealer fitted accessories from a potential range of 500 different alternatives, such as blue tooth, tow bars, roof racks and stripes, up to body kits and full van conversions.
 
Control
iTracks enables the workshop control room to see all vehicles on line and all those about to come online, together with the processes to be carried out for each one.
 
Cost savings & increased productivity
The system has saved costs in terms of allocation of labour according to workshop loading. One of the tangible benefits reaped by the implementation of iTracks has been the increased diversity of operations managed by CAT UK with a smaller, more efficiently deployed workforce.
 
Competitive edge
Fitments and customization at point of import greatly reduce logistics costs for customers, substantially shortening the supply chain. By significantly extending such services at Southampton and Teesport centres, CAT UK has created competitive edge by delivering benefit across all interest sets, from manufacturers through sales and after sales to end users such as leasing companies.
 
Future perfect
CAT UKs ambition is to offer ever more sophisticated processes to more customers, interfacing increasingly through EDI and providing web based visibility to achieve further increase in performance and reduction in costs.
 
While Vehnet supports CAT in the development and continual improvement of its customer specific solution, key personnel at CAT are trained and have been given the tools to adapt and refine the system in-house, delivering control, adaptability and autonomy into the hands of the company.
 
Customer conclusion
 iTracks is an essential part of what we can offer our customers. Its all about visibility, control and adaptability of our processing centres to cater for our customers complex needs. 
 

CAT Group profile
CAT Group is a worldwide leader in automotive logistics services. Originally established by automotive manufacturer Renault to provide in-house freight services, CAT moved away from its former parent in 2001, becoming an independent, customer driven logistics provider with two main divisions, Finished Vehicle Logistics and Parts Logistics. Today CAT manages 2.5 million vehicles per annum on a Group basis, including transportation, storage, compound management and information services.