Retail Solutions - Safeway picks Paragon platform for logistics operation overhaul

Safeway is preparing to comply with the Working Time Directive by organising its logistics through a new routing and scheduling platform from Paragon Software Systems.

The system is expected to save the grocer tens of millions of pounds a year.

Safeway's new Integrated Transport System manages the delivery of 10 million cases a week to more than 480 stores.

Paragon provides automated scheduling, which will enable Safeway to integrate its primary and secondary logistics operations and so increase productivity in each driver's shift.

The new system is part of a£6 million overhaul of Safeway's transport management system, in conjunction with the retailer's logistics partner Wincanton.

Six Paragon Integrated Fleets systems have been linked by the collaborators to provide automatic routing of store deliveries from supplier collections, inter-depot movements and recycling collections across the country.

The routes are designed to provide the most efficient backloads in each delivery vehicle to reduce empty mileage across the transportation network.

Terminals at each of the retailer's 15 regional distribution centres allow supply chain managers to receive real-time information from in-cab systems, enabling them to react to delays before they become a problem for the stores.

In a statement, Safeway national transport controller Ian Prest said: 'As well as reducing our transport costs, the system is also helping us get more productive work from each driver's shift.

'This will become more important as the Working Time Directive increases pressure on the driver shortages that we are already experiencing in the UK,' he added.