Aaron Wain discusses the heritage of Wains Transport and its evolution since introducing Transport Management Software into the business.
Based in the rural outskirts of Exeter, Wains Transport is a family-run bulk haulage firm that has been operating since 1987. The TASCC-qualified haulier began their operations by delivering refrigerated goods before moving into bulk tipping work and helping farmers across Exeter to move their grain and produce. In this article, we talk to Managing Director and Transport Manager, Aaron Wain about their role, being a 3rd generation haulier and the introduction of Transport Management Software into his company and the bulk haulage sector.
HaulTech: Can you tell me about your role at Wains Transport?
Aaron: I’m the company’s director and manage the transport operations. To break it down, with my team, we plan collections and deliveries, ensure that our customer’s needs are met and support our drivers with anything they need. This role has been passed down from my family since we opened and I’m the 3rd generation of the Wains doing this role.
HaulTech: How did you plan your daily workload before introducing technology into your business?
Aaron: Before a transport system, we used a 2-page day diary which meant we physically had to write down all the work and only one person would have access to the sheet. We would have to drip-feed drivers their work by text and wait for them to call on job completion before giving them their next job. The issue with it was, only one of us could access the sheet at once, if a driver called up and needed to check something and I didn’t have the sheet to hand then I would have to find out who did, get the sheet, find out the information before responding to them. Forgetting the fact that is a long-winded process it also made it impossible for us to grow any further.
HaulTech: Why did using a paper-based job diary stop your growth?
Aaron: We currently run 22 vehicles, managing more than that from a sheet where only one person has access, it’s just not feasible, it’s why we had a Transport Management System. We know the bulk haulage sector is behind in terms of using this type of tech but it did seem the right move.
HaulTech: What has changed since using a transport management system?
Aaron: We can now add all our jobs online and create loads simply and the best part is that we can give as many people as we want access to the system. So not only is it easier for us to create the jobs that we get from our customers but the work is easily accessible whenever a customer or driver queries it. Also, our drivers have the phone app and we have been sending them all their work at once.
HaulTech: How do your drivers find the app?
Aaron: They are loving it. We know a lot of companies that work like us and used to drip-feed their drivers because of either ease or trust issues. Now we give our drivers all their work for the day through the app and have trusted them to run with it and they truly have. The drivers are getting their work done at a faster pace because they don’t have to wait for us to give them their next job, they’re completing jobs so much faster that they often ask if any more work needs to be done before finishing. It’s a win-win because we can either get more work done or they get to finish early, so everyone is happy.
HaulTech: Earlier you mentioned that the bulk sector is behind in terms of this technology. Can you talk to us about why that is?
Aaron: A lot of systems out there are not for bulk. Whilst there can be criticism made about anything, the HaulTech transport system does almost everything we need it to do. I’m saving a few hours a week on my workload, the drivers are completing more work and the whole of the company’s productivity has been boosted.
HaulTech: What would you say to any bulk haulier out there who is hesitant towards using transport software?
Aaron: I understand the hesitation, we used paper-based methods for 30-plus years but once you get used to the system, you won’t ever want to look back and do it another way. Just go for it, nothing is perfect but the system does not disappoint.
If you are a bulk haulier looking to take the first steps on your technology journey like Wains Transport then contact us today by clicking here, calling 01782 662244 or saying hello@haultech.co.uk.
