Lafarge A&C UK has extended its use of mobile workforce technology to develop a more efficient and sustainable service. As a major supplier of construction materials, supplying to thousands of projects across the UK, the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by maximising the efficiency of its delivery fleet and minimising fuel burn and CO2 emissions.
Following a successful pilot in 2009, Lafarge A&C UK installed AeromarkOptimatics in its fleet of delivery vehicles. Powered by Aeromark technology, the agile Optimatics system was tailored to fit the company's business processes and has evolved over the years to leverage new opportunities for efficiency and cost savings. As part of a recent review Lafarge chose to expand the scope of the project to include its subcontracted fleet, encompassing in excess of 250 vehicles.
Darren Grant, head of project delivery at Lafarge commented "We were seeking not just a supplier but an organisation who could work with us for the foreseeable future. We have a great deal of experience with tracking suppliers however we were looking for more than the standard capabilities and a system flexible enough to enable us to react quickly to customer demand".
Lafarge's system combines customised GPS tracking technology with specialist in-cab communications that can only be operated when the ignition is switched off. Whilst the system provides the business with a clear picture of what is happening out in the field the in-cab communication system keeps control of costs and increases employee security.
Grant continued "Aeromark have worked very closely with our team to fully understand our requirements and to implement a solution that enabled us to gather the accurate data needed to manage our fleet more effectively".
The team at Lafarge understood that by trimming the time spent at key locations such as quarries and readymix sites they could increase the number of deliveries they made each day. Engaging on a one-to-one basis with their drivers was a key element to the success of the project. Optimatics has given Lafarge the functionality to implement regular contractor reviews to offer feedback on performance. Combined with a contractor league table and efficiency scheme, the response to the changes has been extremely positive.
"We have made significant savings in all areas and are delighted with both the system and the support we have receivedfrom Aeromark." added Grant, "This is the first phase of a broader integrated solution and we are looking forward toworking with Aeromark on this important strategic solution for our business", he concluded.
Roger Marks, managing director of Aeromark commented "We have been working with Darren and the Lafarge team for a number of years and we are delighted that they have chosen to extend the use of our technology. By increasing the efficiency of both their fleet and their sub-contracted fleet Lafarge customers will experience a more consistent and responsive level of service".
By using the data to identify benchmarks, carry out contractor reviews as well as employee appraisals and making minor changes to their processes, Lafarge is maximising the utilisation of its fleet, minimising travel and creating a more sustainable business for the future.
About Aeromark
Aeromark has been at the forefront of mobile workforce, service management, and vehicle tracking technology innovation since 1990. Through the development of its Optimatics smarter workforce management solution, Aeromark is helping service-based businesses to achieve optimal business efficiency and unrivalled levels of customer service. Optimatics comprises four individual modules; service and asset management, workforce scheduling, mobility apps and GPS tracking. The four modules can be used independently and can also be seamlessly integrated together. Combined, the Optimatics modules provide one of the most powerful mobile workforce management solutions available, delivering previously unattainable data and analytics that enables businesses to make game changing decisions and achieve optimum efficiency. For more information, visit www.aeromark.co.uk
About Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK
Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete (Lafarge A&C UK) is split into three business units - Lafarge Aggregates, Lafarge Readymix, and Lafarge Asphalt & Contracting.
Lafarge acquired Redland in 1997, developing its aggregates, concrete, asphalt and contracting businesses in the UK. Lafarge A&C UK has pioneered technical innovations in concrete and asphalt and also produces essentials such as rock, sand and gravel. The business has surfaced many of the country's motorways and airport runways (including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted), and provides waste management and recycling services.
Lafarge A&C UK is officially the safest business in its industry, showing consistent improvement towards eradicating work-place incidents. It also moves more aggregates by rail than anyone else, removing hundreds of thousands of vehicles off the roads, reducing congestion, pollution and CO2.
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