MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS
and takes our total depots across the UK to fourteen. Everyone is always looking for new customers and given the
current climate of recent years, companies have been more willing to spread the fingers into different locations. This is a fantastic opportunity for us and as a result we have invested in new depot facilities; restructured certain routes to account for new locations; and are continuing to look at existing and future potential in emerging markets – which is being driven by the current customer demand.”
“ At Aspray24 we are continuously looking at how we can improve our communication with customers.”
What would you say are the key features of Aspray24? How do these features make
Aspray24 different to its competitors? “The fact we have the three different stages – international,
logistics and UK network – all based on one location is a massive selling point for us. We can import manufacturing products from around the world using our international service. We then bring it into our logistics service where we can unload the container and offer pick and pack, fine sort capabilities, as well as QA services. We can then directly inject into our transport network – providing a next day delivery across the whole of the UK. This means that we can be involved from the manufacturer to receiver with all the touch points in-between. The introduction of the international division in 2009 enabled
us to become a single source collection and delivery service. This means that customers deal with the same contact for every part of the process. We have key relationships with providers in air, sea and freight and have the flexibility to tailor service to customer requirements and costs. However, from the customers’ experience they have one provider and contact – Aspray International. We make all the necessary calls; deal with paperwork; deal with customs; etc. The skill set that we have in our international department means that we can manage and give advice on all the import/export regulations, duties, administration, and all the other complexities that go with this process. Making everything as simple as possible for the customer. Another key feature of the Aspray24 business is the fact that
we do not distinguish by the complexity of the freight. We can deliver small bags, parcels, pallets or lengths from wherever to wherever and also have the ability to consolidate delivery – irrespective of delivery type – meaning that everything (pallet, parcels, small bags) get delivered at the same time on the same vehicle.”
What are the benefits of customers combining Aspray24’s delivery service
with its logistics operation? “Because we are very strong in the fastener sector we
understand the product and the requirements necessary. This means that we are fully aware of the importance of carefully handling the products and moving the products. We also understand the recipients of the deliveries and how
to ensure the products gets to the correct person. Delivering to a construction site and the challenges that can create for instance are totally different than delivering to a doorstep. At Aspray24 we factor into our delivery service the time different orders take to be successfully delivered. You need to be able to find the right contact and you need to be able to unload different sizes and packages to the correct storage area. We build this into our delivery model to give us the flexibility to do that. Also, our ability to link the logistics to the transport service
extends our pick and pack capabilities, as well as extends despatch windows – as there is no inbound trunking from customer deliveries. It is a simple injection straight into the network.”
What do you see as your most difficult challenges for the future? How does
Aspray24 plan to combat them? “There are several challenges ahead for the carrier sector.
Firstly our expectations are that, whilst we don’t know what it will be, we expect more legislation to be coming of some description. As a company we need to make sure that we are prepared and ready to react to whatever impact it could potentially have, whether it be financially or operationally, and ensure that we continue to provide our customers with a first class service. You can be certain it will be coming, you just don’t know when. Another big challenge we have going forward is
communication with our customers and staying one step ahead of the distribution model. At Aspray24 we are continuously looking at how we can improve our communication with customers. As we continue to grow with our customer base, we need to keep up the communication and ensure that we are fully aware of the needs and wants of our customers. By having a good line of communication with our customers it helps to further understand their expectations and requirements. Certain customers have specific drives and ways to market that they do not always communicate with their carrier – there is a level of expectancy about what will happen. It is important that we know what are customers want and our customers know what to expect. It is only through good communication that we can control the amount of freight and continue to get things right first time for every customer. Most importantly I think we need to manage our core
competences so that we stay ‘best in class’. This means continuing to focus on our key industries such as the fastener sector and controlling our costs to make sure that we stay number one as the recognised preferred supplier. Our recent investment in expanding the network; planned further expansion of our Hub facilities; and utilisation of new technology and systems; will help us in what we are doing and enable us to continue providing a quality service.”
www.aspray24.com 114 Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 89 September 2014
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