Nippon Gases UK Ltd, specialise in the reliable supply of CO2, and to enhance their UK-wide deliveries of dry ice, they are leveraging Podfather's logistics software. This advanced system provides real-time tracking, automated customer notifications, and electronic proof of delivery, helping them to minimise their environmental impact while maintaining high levels of customer service. Additionally, they’ve implemented daily vehicle and driver checks to ensure the safe loading and operation of their delivery fleet.
"We introduced Podfather to support the delivery of dry ice products across the UK,” commented Joanne Rawlinson, Logistics Manager at Nippon Gases UK Ltd. “Dry ice has unique properties and specific applications. Our dedication to customer service, safety, and the environment necessitated a solution that would help us implement health and safety controls, reduce paperwork, and improve communications with customers. Podfather delivered on these initial requirements and more!”
Dry ice, which is carbon dioxide in its solid state, has a temperature of -78.5°C compared to water ice which is 0°C. It is non-toxic, inert, non-flammable, colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It produces a bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect (stopping bacteria and fungi from reproducing) and generates no waste. Dry ice has a diverse range of applications, making it a versatile tool in various industries. Valued for its ability to maintain low temperatures, it is commonly used for transporting food, medical products, and other perishable items and can also be used to create special effects. Its benefits also make dry ice ideal for industrial cleaning.
By integrating Podfather with their SAP ERP system, they have significantly improved the efficiency of planning the delivery of approximately 250 orders per week using their own fleet of vehicles. Orders are automatically transferred from SAP to Podfather via a simple and fast API connector. Deliveries are then allocated to vehicles and drivers based on location, volume, and customer delivery windows, with detailed route information sent directly to drivers' mobile devices using the Podfather app.
At the start of each shift, drivers are guided through comprehensive checks to ensure vehicles are well-maintained and free of defects, and that they are healthy and fit for work. These checks also include capturing photographic evidence to prove the vehicle is correctly and safely loaded.
Once deliveries are allocated and routes planned, Podfather automatically generates customer ETA notifications, which are sent via text or email. the Podfather app allows for live tracking or drivers, ensuring customers are kept informed. This reduces the need for calls between support staff, drivers, and customers, and allows for early intervention if an issue arises.
Nippon Gases also use Podfather’s electronic proof of delivery features, which include the digital capture of date, time, and location-stamped photographs and signatures. This information is easily shareable with customers and other parts of the business, reducing the need to produce, store, and manage large volumes of paper.
"Podfather has automated and digitised many of the routine planning and reporting functions associated with a time, load, and customer-sensitive logistics operation,” Joanne continued. “This has reduced the resources required to support daily deliveries and improved the utilisation of our fleet. We are also more environmentally friendly, as we have gone paperless, our fleet and drivers are better looked after, and our customers are well served."
Nippon Gases UK & Ireland specialises in the reliable supply of CO2 and is a leading marketer and distributor of diving, industrial, welding and speciality gases as well as dry ice. They also provide installation and maintenance of gas-related equipment, tailored to the individual needs of our customers. With over 100 years of experience, they have a proud history in industrial gases from Hydro to Yara and now Nippon Gases.
In the UK & Ireland, they have over 150 employees, three CO2 terminals, one CO2 filling station, sales offices and three dry ice production plants. Safety is their number one priority! All their production and customer facilities meet the highest standards of safety and quality at all stages.
Nippon Gases are committed to providing a positive customer experience by delivering high quality products and services in support of their Nippon Sanso Holdings Group slogan, "The Gas Professionals"
https://nippongases.com/uk
More information: communication.uki@nippongases.com
Podfather is a thriving technology company that specialises in the development, delivery and support, of software solutions that help companies plan and manage their vehicle fleets more efficiently.
Podfather has been helping companies manage their fleet logistics for over 20 years having launched in the year 2000. Initially specialising in bespoke software development, Podfather has developed one of the UK’s leading solutions incorporating route planning and optimisation, vehicle checks, ETA notifications, tracking, electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) and reporting.
With over 30,000 users, Podfather works with companies of all shapes and sizes, from industry giants such as Tarmac and Breedon to well-known names such as Rexel and ODDBOX, and everything else in between.
Located in Edinburgh, Podfather is not just a business, it’s not just a solution; Podfather is a team of hard working, dedicated individuals who are committed to helping companies solve complex logistic problems with smart, yet easy to use, to software.
www.thepodfather.com
More information: Jane Geary, Podfather Marketing Director, jgeary@podfather.com
"We introduced Podfather to support the delivery of dry ice products across the UK,” commented Joanne Rawlinson, Logistics Manager at Nippon Gases UK Ltd. “Dry ice has unique properties and specific applications. Our dedication to customer service, safety, and the environment necessitated a solution that would help us implement health and safety controls, reduce paperwork, and improve communications with customers. Podfather delivered on these initial requirements and more!”
Dry ice, which is carbon dioxide in its solid state, has a temperature of -78.5°C compared to water ice which is 0°C. It is non-toxic, inert, non-flammable, colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It produces a bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect (stopping bacteria and fungi from reproducing) and generates no waste. Dry ice has a diverse range of applications, making it a versatile tool in various industries. Valued for its ability to maintain low temperatures, it is commonly used for transporting food, medical products, and other perishable items and can also be used to create special effects. Its benefits also make dry ice ideal for industrial cleaning.
By integrating Podfather with their SAP ERP system, they have significantly improved the efficiency of planning the delivery of approximately 250 orders per week using their own fleet of vehicles. Orders are automatically transferred from SAP to Podfather via a simple and fast API connector. Deliveries are then allocated to vehicles and drivers based on location, volume, and customer delivery windows, with detailed route information sent directly to drivers' mobile devices using the Podfather app.
At the start of each shift, drivers are guided through comprehensive checks to ensure vehicles are well-maintained and free of defects, and that they are healthy and fit for work. These checks also include capturing photographic evidence to prove the vehicle is correctly and safely loaded.
Once deliveries are allocated and routes planned, Podfather automatically generates customer ETA notifications, which are sent via text or email. the Podfather app allows for live tracking or drivers, ensuring customers are kept informed. This reduces the need for calls between support staff, drivers, and customers, and allows for early intervention if an issue arises.
Nippon Gases also use Podfather’s electronic proof of delivery features, which include the digital capture of date, time, and location-stamped photographs and signatures. This information is easily shareable with customers and other parts of the business, reducing the need to produce, store, and manage large volumes of paper.
"Podfather has automated and digitised many of the routine planning and reporting functions associated with a time, load, and customer-sensitive logistics operation,” Joanne continued. “This has reduced the resources required to support daily deliveries and improved the utilisation of our fleet. We are also more environmentally friendly, as we have gone paperless, our fleet and drivers are better looked after, and our customers are well served."
About Nippon Gases
Nippon Gases UK & Ireland specialises in the reliable supply of CO2 and is a leading marketer and distributor of diving, industrial, welding and speciality gases as well as dry ice. They also provide installation and maintenance of gas-related equipment, tailored to the individual needs of our customers. With over 100 years of experience, they have a proud history in industrial gases from Hydro to Yara and now Nippon Gases.
In the UK & Ireland, they have over 150 employees, three CO2 terminals, one CO2 filling station, sales offices and three dry ice production plants. Safety is their number one priority! All their production and customer facilities meet the highest standards of safety and quality at all stages.
Nippon Gases are committed to providing a positive customer experience by delivering high quality products and services in support of their Nippon Sanso Holdings Group slogan, "The Gas Professionals"
https://nippongases.com/uk
More information: communication.uki@nippongases.com
About Podfather
Podfather is a thriving technology company that specialises in the development, delivery and support, of software solutions that help companies plan and manage their vehicle fleets more efficiently.
Podfather has been helping companies manage their fleet logistics for over 20 years having launched in the year 2000. Initially specialising in bespoke software development, Podfather has developed one of the UK’s leading solutions incorporating route planning and optimisation, vehicle checks, ETA notifications, tracking, electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) and reporting.
With over 30,000 users, Podfather works with companies of all shapes and sizes, from industry giants such as Tarmac and Breedon to well-known names such as Rexel and ODDBOX, and everything else in between.
Located in Edinburgh, Podfather is not just a business, it’s not just a solution; Podfather is a team of hard working, dedicated individuals who are committed to helping companies solve complex logistic problems with smart, yet easy to use, to software.
www.thepodfather.com
More information: Jane Geary, Podfather Marketing Director, jgeary@podfather.com