PanAm Logistic Solutions, based in Leeds, was founded in 2019 as a last-mile parcel delivery firm that works with large carriers such as Amazon and DPD. Owned and operated by father and son duo, Paul and James Rodney, the logistics firm has grown exponentially in recent years. However, accompanying that growth came industry-wide industry challenges around engaging and managing a workforce of self-employed drivers, so PanAm turned to the self-employment experts, Wise.
Challenge
The logistics firm faced a significant challenge in its everyday operations, with the manual onboarding of its new self-employed drivers requiring an extensive amount of admin time. This process typically involved navigating through a variety of systems as you move through the various stages of onboarding for each individual driver. With around 110 drivers at peak and 70 in normal day-to-day operation, keeping on top of their pipeline of subcontractors was no small task, particularly within the wider context of a national driver shortage.
Solution
Looking to improve its efficiency, PanAm partnered with Wise, harnessing its digital platform to integrate these onboarding processes into a slick and straightforward programme for both the business and its self-employed subcontractors. Through Wise, PanAm was now able to integrate a number of previously laborious but necessary processes such as document storage and compliance.
Through using the Wise system, PanAm is now able to see a complete overview of its subcontractor pipeline, check and approve documentation digitally and even send contract updates to drivers, all within the handy main contractor dashboard. On top of this, the logistics firm was able to receive expert legal guidance and safeguarding when it comes to compliance, creating an added layer of protection from any potential HMRC issues.
Benefit
By choosing to utilise technology that has been tailored specifically to benefit the self-employment sector, both PanAm and its self-employed drivers are able to save valuable time, money and stress when dealing with the onboarding process, as well as invoicing.
Paul Rodney, Managing Director at PanAm Logistics, said “Over the last couple of years, as the driver shortage has grown and there have been so many changes around IR35, it’s become more difficult to consistently engage our subcontractors whilst navigating all of the related hurdles.
“Of course, when we made the move over to using Wise, it took some adjustment and getting used to, both for ourselves and for our delivery drivers – but now that we’re up and running not only are our subcontractors finding their onboarding and accounting easier, but we’re able to spend less of our time on admin and more on growing our business.”