FORWARDER introducing... Loadie

L

oadie is a logistics marketplace that allows people to upload their deliveries and connect them with available delivery drivers. It’s a fully automated system that is managed through a customer

management system and a mobile app for the delivery drivers. The whole process is completely seamless through the app. A driver can find a job, either through the map or through notifications. They get taken to the job, proof of delivery, and paid via the app, so it’s totally seamless. Everything is done on the app, so this means no invoicing, and no paperwork.

INTRODUCING...

LOADIE

WITH KARL WILSON & CHRIS JOHNSON

COVER FEATURE

FOUNDED

November 2016 LAUNCHED

Beta tested from August 2017 Full launch October 2018 WEBSITE

www.loadie.co.uk SPECIALISMS

Same day, next day, vetted & rated drivers, state of the art tracking & payment system, no bidding system, automated invoices & PODs, free to upload jobs PLATFORMS

CMS: www.loadieapp.com (for customers adding loads) iOS & Android Loadie app (for drivers looking for jobs) SOCIAL MEDIA

www.facebook.com/Loadiemobileapp www.twitter.com/loadie_app www.linkedin.com/company/loadie-ltd CONTACT

Chris Johnson, CEO chrisj@loadieapp.co.uk support@loadie.co.uk

LAUNCHING

WITH

LOADIE CHRIS&KARL

CHRIS SAYS...

For customers it’s free to upload jobs, fast and reduces hassle...

Loadie is a logistics marketplace that allows people to

The whole process is completely seamless through the app.

upload their deliveries and connect them with available

A driver can find a job, either through the map or through

delivery drivers. It’s a fully automated system that is

notifications. They get taken to the job, proof of delivery, and

managed through a customer management system and a

paid via the app, so it’s totally seamless. Everything is done

mobile app for the delivery drivers.

on the app, so this means no invoicing, and no paperwork.

COVER FEATURE Q A

So, tell us about Loadie...

Simply put, we are the first exchange / logistics marketplace that offers a seamless straight-through automated process.

Including tracking from collection to delivery, PODs, invoices and payments are all completed through one system.

DON'T FORGET...

You can use the CMS, not the app, to send a load. The app is for drivers.

Q A

What is your favourite feature ?

I think the best feedback we have had so far has been from the drivers. Drivers love the fact that the app has an automated invoicing and payment system built in. We recognise that van and truck drivers get a tough time from the press, but it’s a hard job and some smaller companies can really struggle if they are on long

Our system works like Uber for freight, in that you can

payment terms, without even mentioning having to chase their

access local available (pre-vetted) drivers in real-time, track

hard-earned money! The tracking and ease of getting the jobs

them to the collection, and your clients are able to track

is brilliant, but we think the fact that the fast payment service is

them to the delivery point. All the paperwork, including the

hassle-free and one of our best USPs. Not only that, but we don't

PODs and invoices, are handled electronically and payment

know any other app that gives this service!

is made instantly to the driver’s app wallet on completion of the job. The funds then made available to withdraw within 72 hours. (This is to protect against fraudulent activity).

All these features mean that the process is faster, simpler and easier to manage for both the customer sending the load and the driver taking the load. Customer complaints and enquiries are dramatically reduced as they can see where the driver is on screen, and drivers can contact customers directly if they are having issues.

All in all, we wanted to create an application that will give everybody in the supply chain a huge advantage over what is currently out in the market, and with Loadie, we have done that. For customers it’s free to upload jobs, fast and reduces hassle due to the superior level of transparency, as well as the option to pay via credit/debit card or by preagreed credit terms. For drivers it’s free to download with no subscription fees, no bidding system and the price you see is the price you accept and get paid!

Q A

How does Loadie work?

The customer (anyone who needs to send goods) can add their load on to www.loadieapp.com after signing up on the system. They can either pay for the load using a credit/debit card (don’t worry – we only take the money from escrow once a POD has been signed!) Alternatively, they can apply for a credit account, which we pay the driver and bill the customer on negotiated credit terms.

The customer then inputs their details, including how much they want to pay, destination, and special requirements, etc and the load instantly goes live on to the system where pre-vetted drivers whose vehicle credentials match the load can view the load details including destination, price and special terms via a text notification or map on their smartphone.

Furthermore, before a job is accepted, the driver is only given the first part of the postcode & town/ city. We do not give the full address or any customer details until the job is accepted.

Q A

The driver (using the mobile app) then accepts the load

Tell us about how Loadie developed... ...the history/how the idea came about and how you developed it as an idea, and then how it formed into the platform it is

and from that moment on can be tracked as soon as they are on the way to pick it up. The driver can then choose to take the job now or later depending on the timing needed for the load, but as soon as they say they are “on the way” the customer is informed via an

The process started around 10 years ago when one of

automated email, and the driver becomes trackable.

our founders was working in logistics planning for a large manufacturer. When his contact book ran out of options to

The customer will also receive notifications when the

move urgent loads, he was left high and dry. This inspired the

driver is within 10 miles of the drop off point, so

idea of the platform, but he took a job overseas and put the

they can be ready & help eliminate waiting times. The

idea on hold. After moving back to the UK, he discussed the

proof of delivery which can include pictures of the

idea with an ex-colleague and one of his contacts who had

goods is taken and then all the relevant paperwork

a background in e-commerce and technology. The question

including invoices are automatically emailed to the

next, was how to take the next leap and create some truly

relevant parties and the driver then receives the

innovative technology to give the customer and drivers a

funds instantly into his app wallet.

system that was better than anything else on the market – low and behold, we created Loadie!

COVER FEATURE Q A

How do you think Loadie will impact the freight industry?

I think the industry is ripe for innovation.

The majority of solutions out there for finding drivers are effectively static job boards – you may be able to find a job via

DON'T FORGET...

You use the app, not the CMS, to find loads. The CMS is for businesses to send a load.

Q A

What is your biggest achievement through the making of Loadie?

Making it work! It has taken a lot of time, money and bumps in the road to get there, but we think that we have produced a system that is genuinely better than anything else out there.

your location, but that’s where it ends. The level of tracking and

That is not to say that we are not constantly thinking of ways to

automation in Loadie is bound to influence customer expectations.

improve the system, but getting to the point where all the major

Just as consumers expect time slots and transparency in their

USP’s of the system actually work was a challenge! We were also

deliveries nowadays, warehouse managers and business owners,

amazed at how quickly the drivers had taken to the application as

once they know the technology is available, will expect the same.

within the first two weeks of beta testing. Over 300 drivers had signed up for the application without any marketing campaigns, just Facebook and word of mouth.

One of our end customers is Harrods. They love the fact that they know exactly when their goods are arriving and are notified as soon as they are picked up for delivery. The 'Amazon effect' also means that B2B delivery windows will become shorter, and fines for non-compliance will only become larger and more frequent. If you supply companies like this, having immediate access to available vetted drivers is a huge bonus, and the GPS tracking also means fines can be contested, due to the proof of collection/delivery timings

Q A

being visible via the automated POD.

How did you overcome your biggest challenge?

Testing, testing, testing – giving attention to the details, such as the customer journey and keeping the drivers updated and informed. Social media is a great tool for acquiring customers and drivers, but it’s also a great tool for people to shout about any mistakes you have made!

We’re also making an impact on the environment. The freight

Remaining calm and honest has served us well.

sector counts for a significant portion of the UK’s air quality impacts from transport (26% of the UK's greenhouse gases to be precise). Despite significant investment in technology, the number of empty backloads continues to increase. In the last 10 years alone, they have increased from 28% to 31%. Right at the heart of our technology is a system that allows drivers and businesses to create a positive impact on the environment by reducing the amount of empty journeys on the UK’s roads.

Q A

Where do you want Loadie to be in a year?

The largest B2B logistics marketplace, looking at European integration and possible global franchises.

Q A

Q A

How would you define your business culture?

We try to encourage a fun and flexible culture at Loadie. Modern day life is tough enough, so we try to ease some of the strain work can bring by making Loadie a fun place to work. We want our

Q A

Overall, how has the production & making of Loadie been?

Hard work but also fun. We knew disrupting a marketplace would be hard, creating completely new technology from scratch was bound to be. It probably

team to feel comfortable at work and enjoy what they do – this

took 8 months longer than we first expected, but as

way we will see the best results. We encourage everyone to bring

with all things brand new, when you test something

new ideas to the table so we regularly have our famous 'beer and

you don’t know what the reaction will be. The best

brainstorm' days which have often born some our best ideas.

thing to do is to accept the feedback and make it better. I think this approach will serve us well in the future. We hope the passion and drive we have for

How do you get the best out of your team?

Everyone at Loadie has their own clear and defined roles. We trust we have the best people in each position to do the best job possible so we simply allow the team to get on with their work.

We work very closely as a team though and all pull together when we need to. A positive team morale definitely helps to get the best out of everyone. We are very lucky to say we have that.

Loadie will lead to commercial success.

Q A

Is there any advice you'd give to companies working on a similarly challenging project?

Whatever developers or engineers tell you in terms of timelines – double them! Whatever you think it will cost – double it! Seriously though, complicated problems require complicated solutions, and they cannot be rushed. Small things can put an entire project out by weeks if they are not well planned. So, test your ideas out on customers early and use the feedback wisely! The customer is, indeed, always right.

www.loadie.co.uk

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