Summary
Improvements in vehicle design together with bespoke servicing and maintenance arrangements has improved vehicle efficiency, driver H&S and reduced vehicle downtime.

About ANC Express Parcels, Birmingham
ANC Express Parcels is one of the largest  parcel carrying companies in the UK and operates within a highly competitive industry, which includes major names such as TNT and Securicor. The business has 85 franchisees operating in the UK - Numitor Ltd has managed their Birmingham franchise since 1997.

ANC Express Parcels' main business is next day delivery, servicing business customers who need to know they can rely on them to deliver what they want, when they want.

The Business Challenge
ANC Express Parcels' fleet objectives are:

" Improving vehicle efficiency - the Birmingham franchise delivers 2,500 parcels every day, six days a week with around 20 per cent of deliveries booked in for a definitive time slot. " If customers need it, they often carry out two pick-ups a day and they are currently running on a 99.5 per cent success rate for next day deliveries.

" Improving operational efficiency - vehicles have to be serviced and maintained with minimal downtime.

"Understanding the nature of ANC's business and the demands of their customers enabled us to identify improvements in vehicle design that have made a real impact on efficiency and Health and Safety," says Glenn Whatley, key accounts manager. "Because all parcels were unloaded using the rear shutter and tail lift, the actual delivery could be quite time-consuming, by the time you have driven around looking for a suitable parking place. Time wasted at one delivery has a knock on effect on other deliveries in the round and puts the driver under great pressure to make the time up.

Downtime management is a major issue for ANC - their business is one which responds promptly to customer needs and which guarantees service levels. They cannot achieve this unless we deliver the same commitment to service which they give their customers - clearly assigned responsibility for account management, customer service and operational support means that ANC can always get the help and support they need, when they need it."

 
How we helped
" Applied our expertise to alter the design of the vehicles:
Working closely with ANC and their drivers to understand the operational requirements of the vehicles, Glenn introduced a nearside door to the larger vehicles. This simple innovation means that drivers can easily access smaller packages and do not need to use the rear shutter and tail lift continuously - reducing delivery times, maintenance costs and the risk of accidents.
" Reviewed our supplier network:
"A vehicle off the road for a any length of time puts real pressure on service delivery." Says Glenn "Understanding this, we immediately reviewed our supplier network and appointed a Birmingham based servicing company with whom ANC already had a strong relationship. This means that when vehicles need servicing or for small warranty repairs, off-road time is kept to a minimum and ANC is assured of an immediate service, rather than having to wait for a slot at the main dealer.
" Created bespoke "out of hours" servicing and maintenance programmes:
Synchronising service, maintenance and inspection programmes is just one of the ways we have been able to improve downtime, "says Glenn " we routinely provide out of hours servicing, maintenance and inspections to help ANC meet the needs of its customers.

Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicles Services runs a fleet of 18 Transit  Lutons for Numitor along with five 7.5 tonne Daf box vehicles.

What our customer says

"Transport is at the core of what we do and working with a knowledgeable fleet supplier is essential," says Trevor James, owner of Numitor. "We have a very strong relationship with Hitachi Capital - it cannot be anything other.

"We are not a standard customer. We are in the "solve it now" business which means Hitachi Capital has to instantly meet our requirements every time we need them.

"They give us the tools to run our business and the loyalty and commitment of its account team are fantastic. Cost will always be a consideration but the quality of their service is the most important factor for us."

Our People Working With Your People
Driving Your Fleet Costs Down 
" Making sure each vehicle is correctly specified to do its job efficiently and cost effectively
" Managing our suppliers effectively
Minimising Your Downtime 
" Using local suppliers to reduce off road time
" Synchronising service, inspection and maintenance events
" Carrying out work "out of hours"
Minimising Your Compliance risk 
" Creating bespoke service, inspection and maintenance regimes for vehicles
Supporting Your Business 
" Understanding the business, and the job each vehicle has to do.
" Clearly assigned responsibility for account management and operational support