WS Transportation LTd
PRINT MANAGEMENT Case StudyWS Transportation LTd
PRINT MANAGEMENT Case StudyOverview
WS Transportation Ltd is a logistics company offering a diverse range of logistics services across the UK including high & heavy machinery, general ambient transport, flat bed transport, international transport management and warehousing & contract logistics.
The company became a Woodbank customer following our acquisition of Datatech Systems in 2022. As one of their managed print providers, we had inherited a fleet of machines which had been added to ad hoc as WS Transportation grew. As a result, they were juggling a real mix of printer setups across different sites, each on contracts with varied start and end dates, creating a major headache for their internal IT team.
WS Transportation invited three providers, including Woodbank as an incumbent, to assess their needs and propose the best solution for cost, usage, and efficiency. Already impressed by the responsive, professional service of our in-house engineers and customer service team, they were even happier when the solution we provided them. Our proposal not only upgraded their printers but also streamlined their print management, making it more efficient, fit for purpose, and cost-effective.
The Problem
Founded in 2014 by William Stobart and his son, CEO Edward Stobart, WS Transportation has experienced rapid growth, leading to the formation of the WS Group. This growth left the group with a range of printer contracts and leases from various suppliers, spread across sites in Runcorn, Skelmersdale, Appleton Thorn, Chesterfield, Loughborough and Cambridge. These varied contracts and inconsistent service levels were leading to inefficiencies and extra costs.
Overseeing multiple sites is no small task, and the group’s IT team had much more important things to worry about than printers. They needed a reliable, centralised print solution to simplify management, cut costs, and make life easier.
The Problem
Founded in 2014 by William Stobart and his son, CEO Edward Stobart, WS Transportation has experienced rapid growth, leading to the formation of the WS Group. This growth left the group with a range of printer contracts and leases from various suppliers, spread across sites in Runcorn, Skelmersdale, Appleton Thorn, Chesterfield, Loughborough and Cambridge. These varied contracts and inconsistent service levels were leading to inefficiencies and extra costs.
Overseeing multiple sites is no small task, and the group’s IT team had much more important things to worry about than printers. They needed a reliable, centralised print solution to simplify management, cut costs, and make life easier.
The Solution
Woodbank’s solution was chosen for the approach we take, keeping things simple and providing tailored recommendations designed to meet the specific needs of the WS Group and its individual companies.
James Evans, Corporate Account Manager for Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales, worked closely with IT Manager, Stephen Hewertson and Company Directors to clearly understand their needs. We replaced and upgraded all the existing devices with a mix of A3 and A4 new machines, welcomed a new location and business to our WS Group portfolio in Cambridge, installing two additional printers. All delivered under a single service agreement. This tailored, cost-effective solution has reduced the IT team’s workload, improved business efficiency, and immediately lowered print costs.
Here’s what we were able to achieve:
- Consolidated all leases under one service agreement
- Aligned all contract start and end dates
- Replaced outdated printers with 15 new Konica Minolta A3 & A4 printers
- Established a consistent cost-per-copy
- Achieved significant cost savings
We installed the new printers across eight sites on a schedule that suited them best, staying in close contact throughout to avoid disruptions. Now, all devices are managed by their dedicated Account Manager and serviced by our skilled in-house team of engineers.
The Solution
Woodbank’s solution was chosen for the approach we take, keeping things simple and providing tailored recommendations designed to meet the specific needs of the WS Group and its individual companies.
James Evans, Corporate Account Manager for Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales, worked closely with IT Manager, Stephen Hewertson and Company Directors to clearly understand their needs. We replaced and upgraded all the existing devices with a mix of A3 and A4 new machines, welcomed a new location and business to our WS Group portfolio in Cambridge, installing two additional printers. All delivered under a single service agreement. This tailored, cost-effective solution has reduced the IT team’s workload, improved business efficiency, and immediately lowered print costs.
Here’s what we were able to achieve:
- Consolidated all leases under one service agreement
- Aligned all contract start and end dates
- Replaced outdated printers with 15 new Konica Minolta A3 & A4 printers
- Established a consistent cost-per-copy
- Achieved significant cost savings
We installed the new printers across eight sites on a schedule that suited them best, staying in close contact throughout to avoid disruptions. Now, all devices are managed by their dedicated Account Manager and serviced by our skilled in-house team of engineers.
The Results
WS Transportation has brand new printers, streamlined contracts with coordinated start and end dates, all under one provider and one service agreement. Nice and simple! And on top of that…
- More Freedom for IT: As we manage their fleet, their IT team are freed up to focus on more important things.
- Reliable Support: We stay in regular contact, ensuring everything runs smoothly and continues to meet their needs.
- 16% Savings: The new setup, consistent cost-per-copy, and streamlined agreements save them 16% on print each quarter.
We now support five of WS Group’s companies and three of their joint venture partners, including: WS Transportation, WS Specialist Logistics, William Stobart & Son, WS Tanker Logistics, WS Freight Services, Explore, Graylaw International and Smith Bros.
The Results
WS Transportation has brand new printers, streamlined contracts with coordinated start and end dates, all under one provider and one service agreement. Nice and simple! And on top of that…
- More Freedom for IT: As we manage their fleet, their IT team are freed up to focus on more important things.
- Reliable Support: We stay in regular contact, ensuring everything runs smoothly and continues to meet their needs.
- 16% Savings: The new setup, consistent cost-per-copy, and streamlined agreements save them 16% on print each quarter.
We now support five of WS Group’s companies and three of their joint venture partners, including: WS Transportation, WS Specialist Logistics, William Stobart & Son, WS Tanker Logistics, WS Freight Services, Explore, Graylaw International and Smith Bros.
Stephen Hewertson, WS Transportation’s IT Manager, shared his thoughts on the new setup:
“As a small IT team, it was essential to have reliable support, and this new setup has really simplified things for us. It’s exactly what we needed: The new devices and agreements have resulted in a 16% quarterly cost saving and James remains in regular contact to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The installs have all been seamless, with no disturbance to the office staff, and now, any queries we have, James and the engineers are straight on it.”
Doesn’t matter what size your business, that’s the Woodbank experience:
Straightforward, hassle-free print management from a team that really knows its stuff.