“Retail changed during the COVID-19 situation, when more peo-
ple were at home either furloughed or working from home and so our network had to respond to that. Rather than a large consignment of pallets going out to stores, there would be smaller amounts going out more frequently for home delivery. T at, combined with the fact that it may be a while before people feel confi dent in returning to shopping in retail outlets the way they used to, if they ever do, means that hauliers have to be fl exible, and UPN provides that fl exibility.” T e success of UPN is delivered through its SmartHUB which
takes technology out of the office and into the field, providing drivers with everything they need for a smooth route into or out of the hub. Whereas previously drivers would have to get out of the cab and go
into the hub to sign in and await instructions for unloading or loading, the new system includes an in-cab app that allows them to sign in as they arrive and be directed into position. T e app includes the vehi- cle’s manifest to cut paperwork and removes the need for face-to-face interaction. Drivers are given an in-out slot at the hub and plan their arrival ac-
cordingly, and the app also tracks the vehicle’s route to further improve time management, so that if there’s a traffi c issue, for instance, the hub can rearrange the work fl ow and cut down unnecessary waiting time.
18 ALL THINGS BUSINESS
“All of our incoming freight arrives at night ready
to go out for delivery the following morning, and we have something in the region of 190 to 200 double desk vehicles coming in each night,” said Dave Brown. “It is vital that we have a way to make that process as straightforward as possible. It also allows us to manage our own shift patterns so that we have the people we need at the times they are most needed. “Technology has transformed the industry and we knew we had to be at the forefront of that. For the sake of the effi cient running and the success of the business, but also from a sustainability point of view. The more efficient we are, the greener the transportation of goods from one place to another than is something everyone has to think about these days. Everyone wants to keep their carbon footprint as low as possible, and we can help them to do that with effi cient processes of our own.” T e next process that will need attention is like- ly to be over the next few months as the details of
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