The pressure on shippers to meet customer demands while navigating evolving accessorial timelines and escalating expenses has never been more intense. As a response to this critical challenge, we at CORE X Partners developed an approach to service aimed at mitigating the rate of expense growth for shippers in the retail market.
The Challenge: Conflicting Timelines and Climbing Expenses for Shippers
Managing multiple retailer timelines, varying expectations for delivery schedules, and typical fees and fines for each location can be burdensome, financially and resource-wise. The amount of time spent analyzing routes, scrutinizing schedules, and negotiating loading and unloading times is often substantial and comes with an inherent opportunity cost. Further, these costs may also be overlooked, as T&L line items may be swept right into accounting.
CORE X Partners’ Analysis-Based Solution
In response to these challenges, we drew upon our CORE Values, combining our Cold Storage Expertise with Exceptional Service. Our support teams, with their in-depth knowledge of the retail market and access to state-of-the-art logistics technologies, employ a customer-centric analysis to every step of the cold chain process for our clients, analyzing new customer T&L receipts, planning efficient distribution models, flagging unnecessary charges, and even advocating on the client’s behalf in dispute of invalid fees and fines. Our goal is to uncover opportunities that reduce costs and create a sustainable, growth-focused environment for our clients.
Understanding and Analyzing Transport Charges and Assessorial Fees
At the heart of our solution lies a comprehensive analysis of transport charges and assessorial fees. Beginning with line-item analyses of existing transportation charges, costs, and fines, we identify critical areas for cost optimization and avoidance of unnecessary charges. This analysis allows us to educate and empower our clients to make informed decisions that result in substantial cost savings and a more seamless transportation process.
Navigating Late Fees, Docking Charges, and Assessorial Fees
Late fees and docking charges can quickly erode a shipper’s profitability, making it essential to have a partner who can navigate these complex fees effectively. Our historical knowledge and industry expertise allow us to understand these charges, develop strategies to minimize or entirely avoid them, and act as an advocate for our clients when needed.
Employing State-of-the-Art Technology for Optimized Transport
Powered by the cutting-edge transportation management system McLeod Software, we empower our operations with streamlined and seamless processes from order entry to dispatch. This integration fosters faster order fulfillment, reduced errors, and heightened operational efficiency. With real-time visibility, our clients can track their freight, receive timely updates, and manage exceptions effortlessly, even during complex logistics operations. Moreover, our MPowered TMS enables us to implement strategic load consolidation, routing optimization, and asset utilization, ensuring that transportation costs are minimized and passing on these savings to our valued clients.
Proactive Compliance with Retail Customer Scorecards and Schedules
A critical aspect of expense reduction in the retail market is proactive compliance with retail customer scorecards and schedules. We provide invaluable guidance and support to ensure our clients adhere to these requirements, helping them to avoid fines and penalties. By staying ahead of compliance issues, we enable our clients to maintain positive relationships with retail customers and minimize the financial impact of non-compliance.
Strategic Approach to Slowing the Rate of Expense Growth
In addition to addressing immediate challenges, we take a proactive approach to slowing the rate of expense growth for our clients. Through continuous analysis, forecasting, and internal enhancements—such as building our own asset-based fleet—we provide a foundation that leads to long-term cost management, allowing our clients to plan and execute their business operations with enhanced financial efficiency and stability.
Facilities Focused on Efficient Storage, Packing, and Delivery
We actively invest in an optimized supply chain to ensure timely deliveries and effective cost management. For example, the cold storage and consolidation facility CORE X CROWN will offer a diverse storage racking solution featuring 16,822 two-deep Frazier selective racking, 6,276 Stow Mobile Racking positions, and 5,311 high-density pallet storage utilizing the advanced Movu Atlas 2D system, offering over 28,000 total storage positions. This cutting-edge facility will incorporate innovative automated capabilities, such as:
- An Automated Pack and Hold storage solution facilitated by Movu Robotics to enable swift delivery of truckloads via pallet conveyor to the loading dock within minutes
- A Mobile racking system designed to maximize pallet density
- An efficient pallet conveyor system for seamless product transportation, accumulation, and distribution
- A high-performance layer-picking solution for streamlined order fulfillment and other advanced functionalities
By integrating these advanced technologies and assets into our operations and actively implementing Continuous Improvement metrics and methods, we have fortified our ability to consistently achieve exceptional delivery rates, reduced fines and fees, and improved bottom lines.
A True Cold Chain Partner
At CORE X Partners, our expertise in analyzing, understanding, and strategically addressing the challenges faced by shippers in the retail market sets a new standard for proactive and effective expense reduction. By offering a comprehensive solution that encompasses both immediate challenges and long-term cost management, we continue to be an invaluable partner for shippers seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern retail logistics landscape.
