Case Study
Wincanton Transforms Safety Culture with Technology-Driven Coaching
Leading UK logistics provider achieves significant injury reduction and cultural transformation through SoterCoach implementation
Key Results
About Wincanton
Wincanton is one of the UK's leading supply chain solutions providers, with over 17,500 employees operating across more than 200 sites. The company provides logistics services to some of the UK's best-known brands across retail, manufacturing, and defense sectors.
With manual handling being a core part of daily operations across warehousing, distribution, and logistics activities, Wincanton recognized the need for innovative approaches to reduce musculoskeletal injury risks and improve overall safety performance.
The Challenge
Despite comprehensive traditional safety programs, Wincanton faced persistent challenges with musculoskeletal injuries across their operations:
- High injury rates: Manual handling injuries remained the leading cause of workplace incidents despite extensive training programs
- Reactive approach: Traditional safety measures focused on responding to injuries rather than preventing them
- Training limitations: Classroom-based ergonomic training wasn't translating into sustained behavior change on the warehouse floor
- Visibility gaps: Managers lacked real-time visibility into high-risk movements and behaviors across multiple sites
- Cost impact: Rising workers' compensation costs and lost productivity from injuries were affecting operational efficiency
The SoterCoach Solution
Wincanton implemented SoterCoach's wearable technology and coaching platform across multiple distribution centers, starting with a pilot program before expanding company-wide.
Implementation Approach
1. Pilot Program
Started with 50 employees at a high-volume distribution center to test effectiveness and gather feedback before wider rollout
2. Employee Engagement
Conducted comprehensive onboarding sessions emphasizing the coaching nature of the technology and personal safety benefits
3. Manager Training
Trained supervisors and safety managers on using the analytics dashboard to identify trends and provide targeted coaching
4. Continuous Improvement
Established regular review cycles to analyze data, share best practices, and refine coaching approaches across sites
Measurable Impact
Within 12 months of implementation, Wincanton achieved significant improvements across multiple safety and operational metrics:
Musculoskeletal injuries decreased significantly across all participating sites
Reduction in high-risk bending, twisting, and reaching movements
Combined savings from reduced injuries, workers' comp, and improved productivity
Workers reported feeling more confident in their movement techniques
What Employees Say
"The immediate feedback from SoterCoach has completely changed how I approach my work. I'm much more aware of my movements now, and I can feel the difference at the end of the day. My back doesn't ache like it used to."
"As a supervisor, the analytics dashboard gives me insights I never had before. I can see which areas need more coaching support and celebrate improvements with the team. It's transformed how we approach safety conversations."
"SoterCoach has been a game-changer for our safety culture. The technology provides objective data that helps us have meaningful conversations about injury prevention. The ROI has exceeded our expectations, both in cost savings and employee wellbeing."
Sustained Cultural Transformation
Beyond the immediate safety improvements, SoterCoach has driven lasting cultural change at Wincanton:
- Proactive safety mindset: Employees now actively think about ergonomics before incidents occur
- Peer coaching culture: Workers help each other improve techniques based on shared learning
- Data-driven decisions: Safety initiatives are now guided by objective movement data rather than assumptions
- Continuous improvement: Regular review of trends enables targeted interventions and process improvements
- Employee empowerment: Workers feel ownership over their safety outcomes and actively engage with the technology
Wincanton continues to expand the SoterCoach program across additional sites, with plans to integrate the technology into new employee onboarding and ongoing safety training programs.
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