For nearly 40 years, Border Aggregates has delivered natural aggregates and stone products. Also, landscaping and construction firms across the UK. In recent years, the company has expanded its reach by acquiring several transport businesses. It now operates a fleet of 35 vehicles from two sites in Lancashire.
Border Aggregates adopted a Transport Management System over a decade ago to streamline operations and drive growth. The system has helped the team build a more efficient, productive work environment.
We spoke with Finance Director Andy Hetherington to learn why the company chose to invest in transport technology, and how it continues to support their success today.
HaulTech: You’ve been using the Transport System for a decade, how did you work prior?
Andy: We used to work with paper tickets and booking diaries. The issue with working that way is the amount of paperwork duplication and lack of visibility for everyone and the more you grow the more paperwork there is to deal with, which can be painful for staff.
So we asked around to see how other firms were working to see if we could improve on what we were doing. Bulmans Bulk Haulage told us they were using a HaulTech Transport System and they recommended we try it, so we did.
HaulTech: How did the change from paper to a system affect the business?
Andy: Change doesn’t come easy but we adapted to it fast and the system does exactly what it says on the tin, or exactly what we were told it would do. It has streamlined our business and simplified the way we work. Jobs get done in a fraction of the time.
HaulTech: Where have you seen the biggest impact?
Andy: As Finance Director, the biggest impact for me was and still is invoicing. The Transport System integrates with Sage which means I can get the work done rapidly. Using a system also gives you greater accountability. You can see what you’ve done and not done. It’s easy to miss things with paperwork.
HaulTech: Ten years on, do you believe a Transport System was the right choice?
Andy: With the way the world works today, having a system is the right choice. It’s a new era and technology is at the forefront of that, I am glad we adopted a system back then. Otherwise, we’d have to do it now and be behind the curve. This system is taking us into this new era, helping us to run our operations smoothly.
HaulTech: You’ve also stuck with HaulTech as a provider for a decade; can you tell us why?
Andy: They came recommended to us and once we spoke to the team, we knew the relationship was right. The system has always supported us and the customer service team at HaulTech has been helpful every time we’ve needed them. You can’t ask for much more.
HaulTech: Would you recommend a system to other haulage firms?
Andy: Yes, it’s the way forward and HaulTech is the right provider if you want a good system backed up by good customer service.
Ready to take your transport business to the next level? Let’s talk. Click here, call us on 01782 662244, or drop us a message at hello@haultech.co.uk.
