A Supply Chain Wired for Success – Wiremold Customer Case Study

Wiremold Case Study: Agile Supply Chain Engineering Reduces Manufacturer’s Product Damages

If you’ve ever plugged into a clever and intuitive jack in an airport or worked in a fully-wired office that had no noticeable wires at all, you’ve probably experienced Wiremold’s products without even knowing it. The svelte raceways for cable and other high-style hardware they create reflect their commitment to engineering innovation.

Engineering excellence is a theme that connects every aspect of Wiremold and extends all the way to the final mile of their supply chain.

Supply chain engineering (SCE) is a key component of the dedicated fleet service provided by TA Dedicated to Wiremold.

Wiremold-Style SCE

Deft and responsive SCE has facilitated Wiremold’s rapid expansion and volume growth and delivered significant savings along the way.

Importantly, TA Dedicated’s SCE solutions have continuously optimized Wiremold’s transportation while maintaining the highest standards of service in the industry.

Load Consolidation

Prior to TA Dedicated’s involvement, Wiremold’s mode of choice for moving their challenging outbound shipments was less-than-truckload (LTL). TA Dedicated’s solution was to build full truckloads (FTL) that shifted the many random shipments that came up onto scheduled dedicated runs.

The move saved $150,000 in the first year of operations at Wiremold’s Hartford, Connecticut facility. Shifting to FTL all-but eliminated damages and claims, too. 10-foot pallets of product are common for Wiremold and sensitive components were often torn and crumpled during LTL runs.

Route Optimization

TA Dedicated’s shift to FTL provides control which supports Wiremold’s high service and reliability standards. A study of quarterly performance of West Coast operations revealed 100% OT for the 32,043 miles hauled and 103 stops made. On the East Coast, 100% OT performance was achieved for 72,731 miles hauled and 890 stops made.

Just-in-Time Transportation

A sleek just-in-time (JIT) supply chain powers Wiremold’s high-end manufacturing processes. TA Dedicated’s engineered solutions have delivered savings while ensuring on-time delivery of raw materials that keep production flowing uninterrupted.

TA Dedicated coordinated shipments from steel vendors to save $18,500 per year. By instituting tighter monitoring processes, TA Dedicated also eliminated $79,000 a year in extra or unnecessary transportation.

Quick, agile responses are often necessary to ensure JIT production lines have the raw materials they need, but scrutinizing a quick decision to expedite can lead to savings when it’s not necessary. TA Dedicated created communications procedures with Wiremold’s internal buyer planner to prioritize loads. By better controlling the use of extra capacity for hot loads, TA Dedicated was able to supply equipment when necessary while eliminating 52 loads for $65,000 in annual savings.

Continuous Improvement

The day-to-day involvement that comes with dedicated service brings continuous improvement opportunities for Wiremold. TA Dedicated team members participate in Wiremold Kaizens for shipping, receiving and inbound transportation as well as internal transportation conferences to coordinate work cycles and break down silos.

Continuous improvements have included:

• Creation of a pallet return program
• Addition of backhauls to utilize capacity on the return leg of inbound runs

Unceasing Optimization

With Wiremold’s volumes and territories increasing on both coasts and everywhere in between, Wiremold benefits from ongoing SCE to help them flex for the opportunities.

TA Dedicated’s expert, technology-enabled solutions and dedicated service have enabled Wiremold to scale rapidly while controlling costs and the quality of their customer experience.

In support of Wiremold’s East Coast operations, TA Dedicated’s engineering team facilitated the addition of over one million miles traveled and 5,000 new stops. TA Dedicated executed the engineering feat and network expansion for Wiremold in one year.

Download the full case study, A Supply Chain Wired For Success.

To learn more about TA Dedicated’s dedicated fleet services for customers like Wiremold, and how we can help you meet your goals, contact us at 651-686-2500.