Mandata supporting Gap Group, 10 years on

GAP Group, a successful family-run north east business, is continuing its growth across the UK, supported by its Mandata transport management system.

The family-run business, founded over 20 years ago to provide services in the North East through its revolutionary WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) division, also runs Gap Haulage, operating with an extensive range of vehicles.

The GAP Group created a niche in the market as one of the only companies in the UK to handle the entire WEEE recycling process from start to finish, and as a result, realised incredible growth, broadening its market into new geographic areas, and establishing GAP Haulage to meet the transport and distribution needs of its customers.

Specialising in the transportation and processing of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) as well as Fridge Waste out of their processing plant in Gateshead, GAP now has operating centres in the North-East, North-West, and Scotland, with plans to expand nationwide on the horizon.

Due to the early success of its waste management operation, GAP quickly recognised the need to expand its haulage side of the business. and implemented a Transport Management System (TMS) from a locally based provider, Mandata, as their Logistics Director, Andy Clark explains.

“We’ve been using Mandata since shortly after the business was founded.”

Mandata TMS Providing Essential Visibility

In Andy’s role, having a live view of the transport operations is essential, as without this, he would be unable to assess whether the business is performing well.  The Mandata Transport Management System (TMS) delivers real-time insights, enabling him and other managers in the business, to monitor performance and take action, if required.

“The planning functionality is excellent for the team,” explains Andy, “but for me, it’s the visibility of operational data that’s most valuable. I can see what drives revenue, track cost per unit, and generate weekly reports based on our revenue streams.”

With quick access to detailed metrics, GAP is making smart, data-driven decisions that enhance revenue and improve efficiency.

“Mandata helps us see where we are performing well, but also provides insight into where we could improve. That visibility is critical for our success.”

With the growth of their general and bulk haulage work, GAP’s use of the Mandata TMS has only increased, providing benefits to the whole transport team by bringing all their work into one system.

“All our data’s in one place which means our Transport Planners, Invoice team, Traffic team, have everything they need to get everything done in one smooth process. The PODs come in, then everything’s invoiced, and then our account’s system is updated.”

“It’s a really fluid system across the board and does just what we need it to do.”

Digitising Their Proof Of Delivery

To further enhance the efficiencies across their operation, GAP are going digital, using the Mandata Manifest app, a mobile solution linking drivers and planners with real-time communication and electronic POD capture.

“It is going to give us our PODs instantly, as soon as the driver has dropped off”, Andy explains, “Some of our drivers are away from Monday, and don’t return to the office until Friday. That’s us waiting around for five days for important job details, which could cause compliance and invoicing issues – so with the Manifest app, everything will be much quicker for us.”

By digitising their proof of delivery and collection documents, the team at GAP will not only save hours of admin time scanning and logging forms into the system, but it will also speed up their invoicing process, with instant POD returns helping the business to invoice for their work much quicker.

“On a Monday morning, we’d have a pile of paperwork that the girls in the invoicing team would need to manually scan in and match up to other paperwork, which takes hours – the Manifest app will eliminate this task.”

“It will also improve our cash flow and help with our compliance as we can invoice quickly and email electronic documents along with invoices.”

First-Class Support and Partnership

Every Mandata customer has a dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM), who ensures the system continues to meet the evolving needs of the customer’s operation, working with them throughout their journey.

Andy has worked closely with James Palmer for over 18 months and benefits from their regular updates.

“We’ve been really impressed with the conversations and developments that we’ve seen from Mandata, especially over the last 18 months.”

“The Support team are great for us.  We call up, and if we have issues, they are addressed quickly and promptly. James has been a big help too during this time.”

“I’ve been recommending Mandata”

When asked what he would say to similar businesses looking for a TMS, Andy says, “I would definitely recommend Mandata to businesses like ours.”

“Actually, I’ve already been recommending Mandata to businesses that need a TMS, and I will continue to do so!”

To see what the Mandata Transport Management System could do for you and for your haulage operation, reach out to our expert team and see the Mandata TMS software first-hand in an online demo.

“I’ve already been recommending Mandata to businesses that need a TMS, and I will continue to do so!”

About Gap Haulage – How the future looks

It is an exciting time for GAP, with the business growing and performing so well, highlighted by the launch of their new state-of-the-art Fridge Reprocessing facility near Perth, Scotland. First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, was recently in attendance with GAP leading the charge in delivering ‘environmentally responsible solutions in the UK’.

“For a local North-East family business, having already expanded across England with an operating centre in the North-West, and now expanded into Scotland, it shows how successful the business has been,” says Andy.

“It’s massive for us. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the Scottish facility is going to expand, and therefore, so will our Operations Centre up there. So, it is exciting times for the business.”

The business is proud of its North East roots, and also sponsors the local Premiership Rugby Union team, the newly rebranded Newcastle Red Bulls, and is committed to continually supporting interests throughout its local communities.

To see how a Mandata TMS could transform your operational efficiency and help make managing your work easier, reach out to our knowledgeable product specialist team. Request a demo here.

Are you a Mandata TMS customer who’d like their voice heard? Let us celebrate your business, reach out to Jack Hall, Mandata’s Content Marketing Manager, to organise and create a Customer Testimonial, and focus on the success of your business. Connect with Jack here