Abbey Logistics (part of the Sitra Group) is one of the UK’s most recognised and respected road tanker transport brands, moving bulk liquids and powders for a wide variety of sectors. As an industry leader, Abbey looks to differentiate and in early 2024 the company signed up to The Driver Handbook.
Matthew Parry, Driver Training Manager was tasked with exploring the options available on the market and said “I was looking for a driver communication and training solution in one and wasn’t overly optimistic about my chances! Whilst there are plenty of ‘ready-made’ solutions out there, because Abbey is a specialised operation I needed to be able to bespoke the solution of choice with our own, very specific, driver information. After our initial meeting with The Driver Handbook we quickly realised it could do all that we needed and ticked every box.”
With over 450 drivers at depots across the UK, Abbey wanted to move its driver communications from an onerous, resource-heavy task, to being able to share information efficiently, effectively, and more importantly, to everyone in real time.
Since launching The Driver Handbook six months ago – known internally as the ‘Abbey Communication App’ Abbey has used the TDHConnect content management system to entirely bespoke the information for all its drivers. Whilst The Driver Handbook provides a comprehensive library of standard reference content for all customers to use, it’s within the operator’s control to choose exactly what they share with drivers via the app.
Using that approach, Abbey has added all of its own operational information and has created bespoke sections and pages of content to share with its drivers, including policies, procedures, customer-specific information, social and charity information and events. With the flexible management account available via TDHConnect, Abbey has also structured its varied business units, meaning only operationally relevant information is shared with the drivers in each business unit.
Matthew continued “The ability to add whatever information we need was one of the biggest plus points of The Driver Handbook. In addition to our policies and procedures, we’re now including a broad range of content for our drivers, for example company vacancies are sent out regularly, so being able to let everyone know when jobs become available is great.
We’ve just shared a business update from our CEO with all our drivers too. Previously – as with any information – we had no quick and easy way to distribute this type of announcement, let alone have any idea who might have read it. Whereas I added the update, sent a notification to the drivers’ apps and knew almost immediately that the important update was with everyone. With the reporting available in TDHConnect, if I want I can also look to see who’s read the update.
As a business we’re subject to audit by a range of external bodies and The Driver Handbook has helped enormously with this. Previously we’ve found it hard to evidence the sharing of essential information with our dispersed, remote workforce. Now that problem has disappeared almost overnight. Everything we need to communicate is added to the app, putting it at the drivers’ fingertips. TDHConnect gives us a digital evidence trail of everything that we communicate. We can send notifications to drivers to let them know they need to read something, so they’re aware of what’s new or changing and the system is easy to use!
Like with any new technology, the implementation has been a gradual process to ensure the roll-out has been successful, but this approach has meant drivers know exactly what’s expected of them and what information they can expect to find in their app. Our aim is for the ‘Abbey communication app’ to become our drivers’ third hand, so that new starters are living it from day one. For our existing team, we’re using word of mouth to get the message out – if drivers aren’t checking their app, they’re missing out!”
The Driver Handbook team is now working with Abbey to design and develop new eLearning to further the company’s scope of use. Glen Davies, Managing Director, The Driver Handbook said “It’s great to work in collaboration with customers in this way. Matthew had the idea to start to use our system to deliver Driver CPC eLearning, meaning less time in the classroom for drivers and managers alike. These new eLearning modules will provide the underpinning knowledge for key Driver CPC topics, and drivers will be able to access and complete them via our app at a time to suit them. This also means the remaining five hours of classroom learning can be much more interactive, meaningful and relevant to specific operational scenarios.”
Matthew said “If drivers only need to spend five hours in the classroom it can only be better for everyone, the drivers, managers and the business as a whole. Abbey is a forward-thinking company and this change in training delivery will give us a great head start with the changes to Driver CPC that are coming down the line. Our customers look to us to be leading the way and in The Driver Handbook, or the Abbey communication app, we have the tool to do it”.
