Allan Reeder protects dairy products with Samsara
Dairy products supplier Allan Reeder has implemented temperature monitoring technology from telematics provider Samsara, to help ensure its cargo is kept at the correct temperature at every stage of the journey.
In 1971, Allan Reeder started his own business to distribute cream in London. Today, that company – also called Allan Reeder – delivers more than 500 dairy products to many of London’s best known restaurants, catering companies and bakers.
With more than 50 lorries, vans and other vehicles on the road, the company was looking to transition from its current GPS tracker to something more sophisticated when it received a call from Samsara.
While Allan Reeder had previously only planned on purchasing tracking devices, the firm soon saw the value of adding dual-facing dash cameras and environmental monitors for temperature monitoring to create a full solution for their whole business.
Allan Reeder’s head of marketing, Ben Reeder, explained the decision: “It’s rare to find something that is high tech and easy to use. Since we operate nearly 24/7, we need something that is responsive, effective and efficient to deliver for our customers.”
Shipping dairy products is no easy business; products must be kept at specific temperatures throughout transport. Allan Reeder uses Samsara’s environmental monitors to ensure products stay within the specific, approved temperature range at every stage of the journey.
In summer 2019, Allan Reeder was able to use Samsara to pass a BRC audit with flying colours. Using Samsara’s environmental monitors, Allan Reeder was able to prove that their products were kept at the appropriate temperatures from supplier to warehouse to vehicle to customer. Ultimately, the team met the highest standards for accreditation.
Having this temperature data in one platform also means that Allan Reeder can easily guarantee the quality of their goods and reassure any customers with questions, says Samsara, upholding its promise to offer exceptional service.
The first thing Ben Reeder does every morning is to have his tea and open Samsara. With those first sips, he’s able to get a snapshot of the fleet, determine if anything is off course, and address any incidents that appear — allowing him to get a head start on the day.
On the dashboard, the first thing he visits is the real-time view of Allan Reeder’s fleet. Within seconds, he can see where each of their vehicles are at that very moment. He can now field inquiries about delivery times instantly and communicate any changes in the schedule to customers.
“This increase in communication helps to keep our customers happy and is helping with retention, as well.”
The real-time tracking and proximity feature also helps Allan Reeder run more efficiently.
“We use the proximity feature to see which vehicles are close to customers and dispatch them on new rounds,” noted Reeder.
“It is indispensable. We would lose so much time without it.”
While dash cams were initially a ‘bonus’, they have become a core piece of Allan Reeder’s business.
Reeder uses the Safety Inbox to review incidents. Samsara’s automatic tags on videos make it easy for him to see harsh events or distracted driving. If he sees anything that requires attention, he brings the drivers in and provide feedback.
In rare circumstances, the Allan Reeder team has dismissed drivers based on repeated dangerous driving incidents, but management aims to use cameras to support their drivers.
When a passerby accused one of their drivers of having an incident, Reeder was able to use the proximity report and recall video footage to prove that was not the case, helping to protect his drivers’ and business’ reputation.
“We care about our drivers,” Reeder explained. “Samsara helps us to defend them and to coach them if they’re at fault.”
The company has reportedly seen a remarkable drop in safety incidents while using Samsara’s HD dash cams.
According to Reeder: “We used to have wing mirrors off and have to respond to incidents. Since installing them, we’ve had our best year for accidents.”
The reduction in incidents is helping Allan Reeder keep costs down.
“Big accidents have incredibly high costs. Having fewer incidents saves us money – and will improve our insurance costs, too.”
