Nectar Imports has selected Paragon’s routing and scheduling software to optimise its daily drinks distribution.

The drinks supplier will use Paragon to manage its delivery operations and ensure it delivers on its promise of next working day delivery.

Nectar was formed around 30 years ago and operates a fleet of around 20 vehicles.

The company delivers a range of drinks, from craft beers and ciders to  gin, to restaurants, clubs and hotels on a daily basis.

Nectar’s distribution operation runs on fixed routes, but the company has outgrown its previous manual approach to planning and scheduling due to the continuous growth of the business.

The Paragon system will enable dynamic planning, helping Nectar to proactively manage its transport activities and increase the efficiency of its fleet.

“With seasonal variations and order volumes influenced by trade in hospitality businesses on a day to day basis, our approach to deliveries must be both flexible and accurate," said Mike Cross, general manager at Nectar.

"Delivery requirements, times, places, people, even high tide times in London for those customers on the water, are all taken into consideration to make sure our customers have the stock they need.

“We looked at a number of different systems, but the Paragon routing and scheduling software and support team stood out as the right combination to help us keep our customers topped up.”

Nectar expects to benefit from reduced planning time and improved reporting capabilities, as well as strategic what-if modelling based on real customer data, which will take into account seasonal fluctuations in traffic.