Menzies Distribution has implemented Paragon’s Multi Depot routing software to schedule daily deliveries of around seven million newspapers and magazines.

Operating from 48 depots, its 2,000-strong fleet makes deliveries to 30,000 customer sites throughout the UK and Ireland. Since around 70 per cent are made before the retail outlets open in the morning, a second route is scheduled for vehicles to collect returns (unsold newspapers and magazines) during business hours. In addition, Menzies also delivers more than seven million brochures every month to customers in the travel sector.

“Prior to implementing the Paragon system, our scheduling was almost a manual operation, using off-the-shelf routing software and our ERP system,” says Richard McCurdie, business improvement project manager, Menzies Distribution. “During our initial meetings with Paragon it was quickly clear that the system’s routing reliability was superior to the other solutions we reviewed. We ran some test data, the routes were realistic, achievable and showed improvements…Paragon gives us so much more in terms of accuracy, flexibility and rationalisation planning. And because we can shuffle vehicles between depots and optimise loads and routes, it has also helped us to cut our cost base.”

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