Davis Logistics, Bournemouth
Davis Logistics, a Dorset-based company, established in June 2004, operates as a specialist carrier and provider of outsource transport, moving a diverse range of goods including components for the aerospace industry, handmade furniture, works of art and cosmetics. The company boasts Magellan Aerospace, European Aviation, Priory Engineering and Harrison Gill among their best customers.
Of the 9-strong Davis Logistics fleet, 3 are unique vehicles, purpose-adapted by Volkswagen to allow the highly-specialised care required for transport of rare, fragile or expensively-produced products.
Each van covers on average, between 2 and 5 thousand miles per week, around UK and the rest of Europe; operating on a 24/7 basis to suit customer requirements. No fewer than 3 drivers are on constant standby to deal with frequent requests for top-priority, same day deliveries.
Estimated turnover for this financial year is £800,000 - which, combined with an impressive growth rate, indicates that this dynamic young company is already making its mark in the field of specialist transport.
As a qualified pilot with an acclaimed background in the aerospace-industry, Director Nick Davis was well aware of the accuracy of GPS and satellite navigation systems and aimed to apply the technology for the benefit of his company.
'I wanted a vehicle tracking system which could be used to inform Health and Safety strategies, make fleet economies and improve planning,' says Nick. 'Wasting time on repeated calls to check drivers' progress, in the knowledge that I was reliant on their integrity in giving the correct location, was just not efficient - I was looking for a company operating an effective system from a simple platform, which could be checked from any location.'
Following an Internet search, Nick reviewed 4 brands of vehicle tracking system before deciding on the Quartix option.
A significant factor in his choice, was the high-calibre, open nature of the company itself. 'I found the Quartix experience to be the height of professionalism - from their commanding website presence to the fact that there was a real person, instead of an automated response, at every stage of the sales procedure,' he explains.
'I was also impressed by the seamless installation process, with vehicles being fitted within a week of placing the order, on a single Saturday.'
With finances very much to the fore in any new company, Davis is delighted to report the cost savings brought about by Quartix technology, 'We've only had the system for 3 months, but already it's saving 12% on the monthly fuel bill. Our vehicles are new, and capable of high speeds, but the tracking system ensures that drivers conform to efficient driving parameters. This, together with elimination of unscheduled journeys, means that fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear are considerably reduced.'
As a progressive employer, Nick takes a keen interest in the health and safety of his 7 uniformed drivers. 'We use the tracking data to evaluate the working conditions that challenge each driver on a daily basis. If someone has had a particularly heavy run - say 13hours, we make sure that he takes the following day off, with no loss of pay. The same applies to drivers on the Northern runs who often have to contend with horrendous weather conditions or severe congestion.'
Clearly relishing the challenges set to his company, Davis details instances where aircraft have been on the runway, unable to take off until one of his vans arrives at speed to deliver vital components.
In agreement with other Quartix clients, he says, 'We've found the system to be a huge selling point with customers because they know that we can show exactly how far our truck still has to travel and when it is going to reach them. We can also make clients aware of any traffic problems that the van is encountering. It enables us to offer a transparent service to clients, which keeps us ahead of competitors.'
As a measure of his company's integrity, Nick issues Quartix tracking records directly to clients for audit purposes; as indisputable verification that expenses have arisen exactly as quoted and that there have been no hidden deviations from planned routes.
Nick Davis offers this advice to companies considering investing in Quartix technology, 'It's very important to use the full range of facilities offered by the system; be sure to interrogate the data to highlight areas of inefficiency which can then be weeded out - duplication is one of the easiest flaws to spot. The technology really pays for itself, so it would be foolish not to implement it.'
Nigel Pudney, Nick's Transport Manager recommends the system for fleets with 3 vehicles upwards and says, 'If a breakdown was to occur, then we could see the exact location of the vehicle in seconds and get help to the driver a lot faster.'
For further information on Davis Logistics, contact:
www.davislogistics.co.uk
For online demo or details of system trial, visit
www.quartix.net or phone: 0870 013 6663.
