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Challenge
Antifriction's 14+ branches were each planning their own deliveries independently using manual, paper-based processes. This created inconsistency across the network, made it impossible to optimise routes at scale, and left the business heavily reliant on individual knowledge.
As the company grew through acquisition, the lack of a unified system became a significant operational risk.
Approach
Access MaxOptra was implemented across all branches to centralise and automate route planning. Integrated with TomTom telematics, the platform gave Antifriction real-time visibility of all vehicles and deliveries.
The rollout was designed to scale - with newly acquired branches being onboarded to the same system, and a long-term goal of eliminating paper entirely across the group.
Results
- Delivery planning was unified across 14+ depots under a single platform.
- Customer communications improved significantly through automated updates.
- The business is now actively onboarding newly acquired branches to Access MaxOptra, with plans to expand usage further, including features to reduce paper and streamline driver communications.
About Antifriction
Antifriction Components Ltd is a UK-based specialist distributor of industrial components, committed to optimising uptime and energy efficiency for businesses across sectors such as power generation, food and beverage, water recycling, and engineering.
Established in 1976 and headquartered in Bristol, Antifriction offers a comprehensive portfolio of bearings, power transmission systems, pneumatics, lubricants, sealing systems, and maintenance services.
With over 3,000 customers and a fleet of 23 delivery vans operating out of 14 depots – and more to come following the integration of new branches – the company handles hundreds of deliveries a day across the UK.
Branches are located nationwide, including in London, Dudley, Fareham, Bolton, Wisbech, Ellesmere Port, Grimsby, Stockton-on-Tees, Cwmbran, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Inverness.
The challenge
Before Access MaxOptra, each of Antifriction’s branches was planning their own deliveries to meet customer requirements. Since the implementation of Access MaxOptra, Antifriction have been able to optimise their routes, further improving their customer service.
Antifriction often have to react to customer requirements during the day as they provide an emergency service, and therefore have to re-route our drivers.
Access MaxOptra makes this seamless, ensuring the business remains in control in the office, where they have direct contact with customers. And ensures they can juggle the priorities with complete oversight, rather than decisions being left to the driver’s discretion.
The solution
Following a failed six-month trial of another route optimisation solution, which was deemed clunky and non-user-friendly, Antifriction discovered Access MaxOptra. Impressed by its features, usability, and pricing, the decision was taken to trial Access MaxOptra at one depot in October.
By December, Antifriction went live with Access MaxOptra and began rolling it out to other branches every couple of months. Eventually, six depots were brought online in a single week due to the smooth onboarding process.
In total, the full rollout included all 14 depots, with more to come.
Access MaxOptra’s seamless integration with Antifriction’s OGL ProfitPlus system played a key role, enabling automatic data flow between systems and saving hours of administrative time. The integration was completed within days, with Access MaxOptra handling most of the technical work.
A company-wide training programme followed, with additional remote support from Access MaxOptra’s customer success team.
The results
Planning time cut by over 50%
What previously took up to an hour now takes seconds, with route optimisation handled automatically.
Standardised operations across all depots
Every site now follows a consistent, efficient routing process, improving internal communication and performance monitoring.
Enhanced visibility and control
Office staff can now track drivers in real time, access proof of delivery instantly, and generate accurate reports to monitor route completion and driver performance. Vehicle checks, including photos and fault reports, are submitted daily and are visible to HQ, improving compliance and fleet maintenance.
Improved fleet compliance and cost savings
Drivers now complete vehicle checks through Access MaxOptra, with results feeding directly to leasing providers. This level of visibility was previously unavailable and allows the central office to proactively manage fleet issues.
Customer experience transformed
Customers now receive automated dispatch notifications, accurate ETAs, and ePODs – a major improvement over the previous manual, paper-based process. This capability is especially valuable for clients in sectors like water utilities, who require precise documentation. Orders added to a run now trigger an automatic email notification and electronic proof of delivery.
"Antifriction Components is a brilliant example of how operational change, when led with clarity and purpose, can deliver real results. Their team embraced Access MaxOptra not just as a tool, but as a way to futureproof their business, enhance customer experience, and streamline nationwide logistics. We’re proud to support their ongoing journey and look forward to helping them scale even further as they continue to grow.”
Sanjay Gandhi, Access MaxOptra Managing Director
“Customers love it. Before, we had to say ‘let me call the driver’. Now, we can tell them exactly where their order is, when it’ll arrive, and who signed for it – all in seconds. That’s a huge USP.”
The future for Antifriction
Antifriction is already preparing to onboard additional branches as they transition to the same systems. Access MaxOptra has also been presented to a newly acquired business, where it was well received. The long-term goal is to unify all operations under one platform and eliminate paper entirely, reducing environmental impact and improving efficiency.
Antifriction plans to continue expanding its use of Access MaxOptra, including new features to reduce paper usage and streamline customer communications. With ePODs, accurate delivery windows, and a strong focus on automation, the company is setting a new standard in its sector.
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