Case Study: Revolutionizing Automotive Supply Chain Efficiency

Our client is a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive lighting solutions based in Illinois, with manufacturing plants located throughout the Continental U.S. They ship their products domestically and internationally, primarily from West coast ports to Asia, while North and Southeastern ports are utilized for most other shipments.

The client faced several challenges that hindered their supply chain efficiency, including:

  • Average of 90+ expedited shipments per week due to non-compliance from suppliers.
  • Running Just-in-Time (JIT) deliveries through a network of 100+ lanes per week.
  • Inability to track shipments and provide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Milk Run network.
  • A complex network causing slow financial reporting.
  • Uncertainty about planned pallet counts leading to under and over-truck utilization.

We provided our client with an effective solution to address these challenges. Our system integration capabilities enabled us to track missing parts and packing information, which allowed us to optimize the Milk Run network by utilizing fewer trucks. By consolidating and holding suppliers accountable for their scheduled shipments via TL, we were able to reduce ground expedites by 30%.

Our Transportation Management System (TMS) introduced real-time tracking for all ground transportation, allowing our client to receive proactive alerts if a shipment was expected to arrive at a different time, giving them options to circumvent delays if possible.

The Argus Solution resulted in significant success for the client, including:

  • A 15% reduction in transportation costs in the first year.
  • A 50% decrease in the Milk Run network.
  • A decrease in expedited shipments by over 75%.

Challenges

The client faced inefficient logistics with frequent expedited shipments due to supplier non-compliance. Their complex Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery model lacked real-time tracking and KPIs for the Milk Run network, leading to slow financial reporting and underutilized truck capacity.

Solution

Argus implemented a tailored solution with advanced tracking systems, optimizing the Milk Run network and holding suppliers accountable for scheduled shipments. Real-time alerts from the Transportation Management System (TMS) enabled proactive tracking and quick adjustments to avoid delays.

Results

The implementation of Argus’ solution led to a 15% reduction in transportation costs within the first year. The Milk Run network saw a 50% decrease in its scale, and expedited shipments were reduced by 75%. These improvements resulted in more streamlined operations, enhanced tracking capabilities, and significant cost savings for the client.

Case Study - Retail Market Sector