Cancer Research UK, is using Webfleet telematics to improve the efficiency of stock movement and help get maximum value from public and corporate donations.

The fleet of 41 vans collect 4.25 million bags of donated clothing stock from individuals and corporate partners like TK Maxx and Tesco each year, delivering to 595 charity shops across the UK.

The charity has digitised the previous paper-based workflow by linking Webfleet to the Calidus VEhub app on the TomTom Telematics PRO 8275 driver terminal. Developed by TomTom Telematics .connect partner OBS Logistics, Calidus VEhub allows drivers to enter exactly how many bags they are collecting and delivering, together with location details selected from a drop down menu.

“Fleet efficiency is key to overall profitability,” said Bina de Wilde, business development and innovation, retail for Cancer Research UK.  “If someone donates a designer suit at one of our discount shops, moving it quickly and efficiently to one of our premium stores means that we can sell it for its full value, giving us more to fund vital research to help beat cancer sooner.”

“We were using a paper-based system before which, at best, only delivered 20 per cent of the information we needed and was very prone to error. Now, we can see a much more accurate picture of stock levels required by different shops, how one shop may be supporting another with stock, and critically, how much more value we get from moving our stock from a low to a high value outlet.

“The data can help to improve profit ratios by helping us set more efficient local and national collection strategies. These could be around changing routes, diverting stock to the most profitable outlets or setting minimum bag quantities for pick-ups to ensure our costs are minimised.”

The scheme has been managed by the Charity Fleetcare Alliance, which brings together leading fleet suppliers to help charities save money by improving fleet efficiency.