With a fleet 120-strong, and a workforce of over 500 employed across 15 sites, Kitwave Group are a rapidly-expanding wholesale group servicing the entire UK.
Following a period of aggressive acquisitions, Kitwave comprised a vast number of businesses, each running their own commercial fleets; from vans to refrigerated vehicles and 44-tonne articulated tractor-trailer combinations. Each fleet was managed autonomously to meet varying standards of compliance.
Kitwave required a uniformed approach to compliance that would accommodate their ambitions for further expansion. Following a compliance issue with one of their newest acquisitions, Kitwave contacted Chartwise to assist with the issue and, going forward, to develop continuous improvement systems across the group fleet.
Initially, the focus was on the individual fleet that had the compliance difficulties. Chartwise carried out a full DVSA audit and conducted a GAP analysis. Swift changes were implemented to neutralize the most pressing concerns, before long-term system development changes were initiated.
A full, bespoke compliance package was coordinated, with one of our dedicated and qualified personnel added as the fleet’s nominated transport manager (TM). With tachograph data and working time records managed by our analysts, ongoing Driver CPC delivered in our specialist training facilities, and the TM working on the ground alongside the fleet’s transport team, we were able to deliver a comprehensive solution.
The fundamentals of the service were established within three weeks, however the system is built to accommodate continuous improvement and updating the infrastructure is an ongoing process. The first few weeks were dedicated to making quick wins to bring the fleet up to necessary standards of compliance.
The Finance Director and Operations Director signed off on the solution, and continue to be a part of the Transport Steering Group meeting; regular on-site consultations between the TM and operations personnel. In addition, there are numerous transport managers and transport office staff involved in the daily management of compliance adherence and system improvement projects across each fleet under the Kitwave banner.
As each operation within the group is unique, we foresaw a number of potential issues. Possibly the most prevalent concern was the variation of cultures across the different fleets, which means different business procedures and working methods. Through diligent application of uniform processes, however, we were gradually able to quell any issues that arose.
One of our senior compliance consultants continues to work on-site at least twice weekly, either at the group head office or within the transport department of one of the businesses within the group. Among our recent successes in this fashion is compiling accurate transport costing projections for transforming a single-site nationwide operation into a multi-site trunking operation.
A solution of this scale necessitates continuous evaluation and improvement. Kitwave continues to invest heavily in cutting-edge It systems to bring the entire group up to the same technological standard, bringing uniformity to CRM, SOP, stock control, routing and more across each fleet. The individual transport operation within the business continues to adapt and integrate with the existing platform.
Through the introduction of remote monitoring and real-time reporting, our latest software release will refine the working methods of the group’s transport managers who have responsibility for more than one fleet.
All businesses under the Kitwave banner have in place the IT systems necessary for continued success under the Earned Recognition scheme. As an organisation, Kitwave are dedicated to improving the compliance and efficiency of their transport operations and will ensure that operations personnel across the entire breadth of the concern will have sufficient resources to manage their fleet in the new culture that Earned Recognition will bring about.
A solution of this scale necessitates continuous evaluation and improvement. Kitwave continues to invest heavily in cutting-edge It systems to bring the entire group up to the same technological standard, bringing uniformity to CRM, SOP, stock control, routing and more across each fleet.
The individual transport operation within the business continues to adapt and integrate with the existing platform.
