Culina and their associated businesses are the UK’s largest user of Fleet Focus, our fleet management telematics system.
Background
12 months ago the Collective Intelligence Group had little-to-no interaction with the end user due to contracts with existing OEMs. Now, we are building direct relationships with the users of Fleet Focus, offering innovative safety and telematics systems as well as enhanced support.
Culina Group specialise in food and drink logistics, operating across the chilled and ambient temperature ranges. They provide a number of shared-user supply chain solutions including warehousing, transportation and contract packing, plus extensive bonded expertise. They have had tremendous growth in the UK since entering the market in 1994 and now operate a fleet of more than 2,350 trucks and 3,500 trailers and employ over 11,000 people.
Since then the Culina Group have amassed a turnover in excess of £1 Billion, with 75 sites strategically located across both the UK and Ireland providing more than 9 million sq. Ft of warehousing space. With an enviable client list containing hundreds of brands and manufacturers, the Culina Group as market-leading ambient and chilled food and drinks specialists have now expanded their operations by adding Fresh and Food Manufacturing divisions to the business.
Challenges
Prior to working with Collective Intelligence, the Culina Group were looking at ways in which to reduce their out of contact spending. Their materials handling equipment fleet included a substantial number of machines, which not only needed to satisfy any audit requirements, but would also need electronic pre-operational checks, licence management to prevent unauthorised use, as well as utilisation and impact detection on each truck.
The decision to implement a fleet management telematics system was made prior to the growth of the Culina Group. In conjunction with Linde, who were the Groups MHE provider, The Collective Intelligence Group were brought in to provide a fleet management solution to satisfy their requirements. The software, under the name Fleet Focus, was installed onto their machines.
The Outcome
The Culina Group noted that the ease of use for their site-based teams was a stand-out feature for the system. As everything was monitored via a web-based portal, the Group could allocate different levels of access for those using the forklifts and the system. SIM data was also used, so no additional infrastructure needed, which was an added bonus for the business.
By implementing the Fleet Focus system onto their trucks, the Culina Group were able to reduce their
pre-operational paper-based checks. Not only did this reduce their paper trail it also reduced their costs too. With better fleet monitoring and impact detection they could see the areas of their fleet that needed extra attention and use statistics and data to make more informed decisions about their fleet. Looking at the actual usage of their trucks, rather than the perceived use meant they were able to save money on their out of contract spend.
About The Transition
On describing their experience with Collective Intelligence, the Culina Group commented that the integration with their normal MHE order with truck supplier was completely seamless.
Simon Manasseh, Head of UK Operations -
“The UK Collective Intelligence team have been supporting Culinas forklift truck fleet fitted with Fleet Focus for 12 months with on-site training and remote support so that Culina get what they want from the system to run their fleet. Collective Intelligence will continue to listen to what Culinas needs are and will endeavour to deliver bespoke solutions to help them further drive the efficiencies, savings and safety that their business needs.”
Results
The end result was improved up-time and less damage to their materials handling equipment. The Culina Group expect to see an overall reduction in their out of contract spend by 30% with the implementation of our fleet management system, saving their business both time and money.
Not only this, having now worked very closely with Andy and his team at the Culina Group over the last 12 months, The Collective Intelligence Group are providing direct training and support, both on-site and remotely to ensure they are getting the most out of using the Fleet Focus system.
Security
The Fleet Focus system helps Culina satisfy any audit requirements, but would also their need for electronic pre-operational checks which prevents unauthorised use.
Cost
The system helped Them look at the actual usage of their trucks, rather than the perceived use. This meant they were able to save money on their out of contract spend.
Efficiency
Culina Group were able to reduce their pre-operational paper-based checks. This far more efficient system helped their operators save time, in turn, saving them money.
Culina Group
The Culina Group also added, “We can speak to the team and ask about changes or improvements based on our real-world experience. The team are very engaging and happy to work with us to understand our needs as an end user.”
At the Collective Intelligence Group, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible support to our customers. We are proud to offer products and services that help to make workplaces safer for everyone whilst also improving efficiency and saving them money.