TRAILBLAZING WITH DARCICA LOGISTICS 

2024 was a trailblazing year for Bicester-based Darcica Logistics, which culminated in the family-company winning the Sustainable Transport category at the MT Awards. For their 5^th anniversary this year, Subir Gupta, Sales Manager at Aquarius, caught up with Melanie Tattersall, the company’s Director of Sustainability and Communications (whose husband, MD Anthony Tattersall founded the logistics company in 2020) and Amanda Duffy, the Operations Director. 

At Darcica, Melanie and Anthony are an outstanding example of what can be achieved in the transport industry with passion, ambition and hard work.  Anthony drove a truck for a local Palletways member over 20 years ago before moving into the waste management industry and then starting Darcica Logistics with Melanie, who has built her career streamlining more sustainable operations for waste management organisations and local councils. Together, with Amanda who sits on the governance board of Mission Zero and who has a deep specialism in fleet compliance, they are driving sustainable change in the industry. 

Testament to this is Darcica, who provides pallet and parcel deliveries and plastic free fulfilment services, and was one of the first logistics firms in the UK to achieve Mission Zero accreditation in 2021, aligned with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. These practices are underpinned by Darcica’s core company values, which include environmental measures to reduce energy, water, waste and emissions as well as local measures to support staff and the local community. Workforce wise, the company has also created a strong culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Where Aquarius comes in … 

In support of all this, Darcica, on Amanda’s trusted advice started working with Aquarius in 2024 to embed an integrated package of digital solutions, which includes ClockWatcher Elite (tachograph analysis and driver walkaround check), Asset Maintenance and Document Manager. Subir picked up the questions here with Amanda first, from a compliance management perspective. 

Why did you recommend Aquarius for Darcica? 

I have worked in various operational compliance roles over the years, and have considerable auditing experience too, so I’m very aware of all the various software solutions that are available for managing and reporting on driver and vehicle compliance, and by far Aquarius’s suite of digital solutions are the most technologically advanced and fit for purpose. They are creatively intelligent, with the modern, intuitive interface being user-friendly and customisable.  Everything you need is there visibly on one screen, and at the touch of a button anything and everything can be reported on – from an auditing point of view this makes managing your compliance responsibilities so much simpler. 

For drivers too, it’s important we can give them the tools to make their compliance responsibilities easier, and that’s what the Aquarius App does. It offers so many benefits in terms of streamlining everyday functions like defect checks, and it provides an excellent means of two-way communication, which I know Melanie will talk about in more detail later.   

Plus, a big aspect for me is the assistance the Aquarius team provide, from on-boarding, training to the every-day support. Importantly, they also listen to development suggestions and if its commercially viable their in-house developers are proactive in implementing changes quickly.  For any business this level of personal support is important. 

Therefore, in answer to your question; having worked with Aquarius for a number of years, I had no hesitation in recommending them to Anthony and Melanie. Plus, for Darcica in particular who are a company driven by innovation and sustainability, Aquarius who I know share the same values, is the perfect match. 

Melanie, can we turn specifically to Document Management as I know it forms an integral part of your communication strategy?  

Yes, Document Manager has streamlined the way we communicate with drivers and employers in so many ways and removed the administrative burden of a paper-based system (which also contributes to our mainstay eco-values).   

For compliance for example, we use it to send driver infringements for digital sign-off, as well as for broadcasting HR information related to company policies and general news. We push all driver communications through Document Manager and the big benefit of the system is that we can see if drivers have read the information, and if not, we can send them automatic reminders.  

What has been the reaction to this new way of communicating? 

As referenced earlier, as a young company we have been able to create a positive, supportive cultural ethos for our young workforce as part of our commitment to people management and development. Communication is at the heart of this, and Document Manager has transformed the way we can digitally connect with our workforce on a daily basis – and likewise the way the Aquarius App helps drivers interact and communicate back.  It was also important for the drivers to be onboard, and I’m pleased to confirm that they, with the majority being young tech-savvy drivers, have all positively embraced the introduction of the Aquarius App. 

Document Manager was originally conceived following feedback from FORS members and the DVLA’s expectations for reviewing and periodically updating key company policies, does this also support your Mission Zero audits? 

Yes, absolutely, being able to demonstrate our commitment to people management and development is one of the parts of the Mission Zero audit, and Document Manager has enabled us to have a digital audit trail of communications which we can report on to show best practice. 

Being able to upload and share new policies and updates with the team through an easily accessible App has helped us maintain clear communication channels which is especially important when we have different working patterns. It works for everyone from drivers to warehouse, office staff and managers.  

What’s next? 

We will soon be extending Defect Checking linked with Asset Maintenance into our warehouse where we have more machinery and forklifts that require periodic maintenance and servicing – this also comprises all the electric vehicles we have on trial, and coming up in 2025 we will also be one the first to participate in DAF’s innovative EV Adopter Scheme.  

This way we can also integrate all asset data across all departments onto one platform for greater efficiency, visibility and ease of management.