Managing vehicle movements across a busy retail network is no small task – especially when that network spans 92 stores, each with its own layout, loading zones, and operational challenges.
For The Warehouse Group, creating safer environments for staff, contractors, and delivery drivers was a growing priority. With trucks and forklifts operating daily across their sites, the need for practical and reliable traffic management solutions was clear.
That responsibility sat with Jared Hunt, Continuous Improvement Specialist at The Warehouse Group.
After 18 years with the business, Jared understood better than most that improving safety at scale required more than simply buying equipment – it required the right expertise behind it.
The Challenge: One Network, 92 Different Environments
The Warehouse Group needed to implement traffic management solutions across all 92 of its Red Stores, but there was one major challenge:
No two stores were the same.
Some sites unloaded on roads, others in yards, and every location had unique vehicle movements, pedestrian interactions, and operational constraints.
This meant there was no “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Each store needed a tailored solution that could improve safety without disrupting the flow of people, stock, and vehicles.
Searching for the Right Partner
Jared began researching traffic management equipment suppliers both locally and internationally, looking for a partner who could provide not just products, but practical guidance.
Vanguard was the first supplier to respond, but just as importantly, he said we made the process easy.
From the first conversation, Jared saw value in our ability to quickly understand the challenges and recommend fit-for-purpose solutions.
Competitive pricing helped, but it wasn’t the deciding factor for Jared:
“You can certainly buy equipment from anybody, but they don’t necessarily have the knowledge.”
Why Expertise Matters More Than Equipment
For Jared, one of the biggest differentiators was Vanguard’s specialist knowledge.
While safety equipment can be sourced from many places, expertise can’t.
He said Vanguard brought practical insight into site safety, New Zealand regulations, and real-world application which helped identify issues The Warehouse Group hadn’t yet solved internally.
That specialist guidance shaped better outcomes and, in some cases, it even changed the original plans entirely, simplifying the solutions and making them easier for stores to adopt and use.
That kind of adaptability made a significant difference.
The Value of Local Support and Aftercare
Another major factor was local support.
While importing equipment from overseas may have been an option, Jared recognised the risks:
- What happens if something goes wrong?
- Who provides support?
- Who understands local compliance requirements?
With Vanguard, The Warehouse Group gained a long-term partner that could offer ongoing support, check in regularly, and ensure each rollout continued to perform as intended.
For a business managing safety across dozens of sites, that aftercare was critical.
A Long-Term Safety Partnership
For Jared, Vanguard has been more than an equipment supplier, we’ve been problem solvers.
By combining specialist safety knowledge with a broad product range and local expertise, Vanguard helped The Warehouse Group create safer traffic management systems across its network that were tailored to the realities of each site.
And according to Jared, that’s what made the partnership work:
“I would say they’re the specialists in their field. They certainly knew their product and their business, so it certainly made it easier to deal with them”.
Delivering Safer Outcomes Across Every Store
When it comes to improving workplace safety, especially in environments where vehicles and pedestrians operate side by side, experience matters.
“I’d definitely recommend them, they’re obviously very easy to deal with, check in to make sure everything’s actually going smoothly. They were just very helpful in the entire process.”
Like with Jared at The Warehouse Group, when you partner with Vanguard, you get more than just products, you get specialist safety solutions.
Because effective traffic management isn’t just about compliance, it’s about keeping people and vehicles moving safely and efficiently.
If you’re facing similar challenges to Jared, get in touch for a chat today!
