A third transport award in a year has been secured by kitchen retailer and manufacturer Wren, as teams and technology combine to deliver.
The Humber giant – about to start a massive expansion at the Barton headquarters – delivers 2,000 kitchens as week, with a 99.5 per cent record when it comes to timing and complete orders.
The Operations Excellence Award at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport ceremony, is added to the same category at Motor Transport Awards and a silver win from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Innovative operational methods saw it pip Rolls Royce in the competition stakes at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Wren Kitchens’ head of transport operations, Lee Holmes, said: “We’re proud to be recognised for our transport service and it’s thanks to our hardworking teams for creating an innovative operation that’s at the forefront of the industry.
“Our lorries and trucks travel over 155,000 miles each week to customers’ homes and we continue to streamline our operations with the very best technology and efficiency methods for a greener future.
“Customers are always at the heart of everything we do and it’s the little things that really make a difference such as pre-delivery checks and wearing shoe covers when entering customers’ homes.”
Wren has substantially invested in more than 10 touch points for its customers using an innovative system called FlexiPod, which provides real-time transparency from depot loading through the journey, to arrival.
The end-to-end delivery process is supported, managed and monitored using FlexiPod and prior to delivery, the driver can view images of the delivery address to ensure accessibility. All goods loaded are scanned against the customers’ documents and it provides live updates for Wren’s customer service team at its headquarters in North Lincolnshire.
Wren’s triple-connected road train lorries have also reduced road miles and carbon footprint by 33 per cent and increased load capacity by 20 per cent, replacing three separate vans. Each box can carry two large kitchens and on average provides up to six smaller drops.
Closing in on 100 stores, the 180-strong fleet operates from six depots, Howden, Barton, Bristol, Stansted, Larkhall and, most recently, Manchester.
Three further depots are being brought forward to further minimise road miles and prepare for an electric future.
