Mar/April 2009

Acumen Distribution is tracking vehicles and trailers throughout Britain and across Europe, and says the system is giving it a good real-time picture of vehicle locations – invaluable on the just-in-time automotive parts delivery operations in which the company specialises. It says the system is also helping it to reduce fuel costs.

The system chosen by Acumen is Track-IT from a supplier called givemelatitude, which has origins in the maritime tracking market. It includes powered tracking units in the motive vehicles and solar-powered devices for use in standalone mode on trailers.

The system is providing Acumen with real-time information to manage fuel efficiency, vehicle speeds, loading and unloading times and on-time collection/delivery performance.

'Having precise vehicle movements is becoming a necessity, especially when you're operating in time-sensitive markets,' says managing director Chris Doughty. 'The system is also providing us with accurate history reporting to reduce insurance costs.'

 

Acumen is based in Northampton, and provides European freight solutions for a range of 'tier one' and 'tier two' automotive clients, as well as a range of contractual services including kerbside recycling collections, the transport of gases and chemicals and healthcare and retail logistics.