Asda finds the route to lower transport costs

Better transport scheduling lowers costs and carbon footprint

Asda has deployed new software for routing and scheduling its vehicle fleet, to reduce the cost of moving goods from 22 main depots to 356 stores nationwide.

The supermarket is using vendor Paragon's multi-depot transport optimisation package to review and model the best routes for its fleet of 1,000 vehicles and 1,600 trailers.

"The efficiencies we gain using the system help minimise capital expenditure, and generate savings of between five and 10 per cent on our fleet costs," said Asda's network efficiency manager Liam Fletcher.

As well as boosting transport efficiency through reducing the number of miles covered, Asda said the system also has a positive effect on the company's carbon footprint.

Asda was acquired by US supermarket giant Wal-Mart in 1999.