Loveland Distributing selects Paragon to optimize beverage distribution

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Paragon

Loveland Distributing Co. Inc. is implementing advanced distribution planning software from Paragon Software Systems Inc. Loveland will use the software to optimize delivery routing of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks such as Red Bull, Sweet Leaf Tea, and Nesquik to 3000 licensed retailers, including Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Kroger and 7-Eleven.

The company will use the software to automate the planning of 20 optimized routes across the state of Virginia. This includes the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Goochland, King William, King & Queen, Powhatan and Caroline, and the city of Richmond. These routes service about 500 customers each day. Loveland has a varied fleet of vehicles used across the routes, including bulk tractor-trailers, draft trucks, 18-bay delivery tractor trailers, 16-bay trucks, heavy-duty vans and support vehicles.

“We hope the software will help us become more efficient,” says Paul Collier, Loveland’s MIS director and project leader. “By using Paragon software, we will reduce daily routes and mileage with consequent operational savings. We will use the software to recalculate our current routes into a more efficient pattern. We will then use the software to re-route every two months to meet varying seasonal demands. In a year’s time – perhaps sooner – we aim to move to daily optimization.”