With a Late Delivery Penalty Looming Heavy from Their Client- This Cambridge Lab Equipment Manufacturer Finally Found Their Trusted “Go To” Shipping Partner For Their Critical, High Value Product Deliveries.
ABOUT
A few weeks ago, one of our local clients came to us with a challenging shipping project. Maybe you can relate to their situation.
They needed to ship a large, highly technical, and might I add highly expensive lab unit to their customer in San Francisco. Their customer had included a standard “late delivery penalty” clause in the final purchase agreement.
So, for every day the unit was late, per the original agreed upon date, our client would have to kick a percentage back to their customer- which would eat into their profit.
Even more important, this unit (which is being used for critical testing) had to arrive in absolute pristine condition. And, since it contained sensitive internal components, it had to be packed and loaded so it wouldn’t shift during transit. Yes, they of course had insurance on the unit, but no one wants to deal with that…especially their end customer. As you can imagine, they just wanted their equipment on time, and in 100% mint condition.
After analyzing the situation, we came up with a plan to meet the delivery deadline and the security requirements.
First, we sent our local crew to our client in Cambridge to pick up the unit. It was brought back to our warehouse in Franklin, where we could custom pack it. Our goal, as always, was to pack it so it would be virtually impossible for any damage to occur during the 3,095-mile journey. We placed the unit on custom platform with a ramp so the rigging crew at the customer’s site could safely and easily unload it.
After the unit was secured with bands, straps, and logistics bars, it was then loaded onto one of our modern, clean, air-ride equipped trailers. It’s like the unit was traveling on its own bullet proof cloud! (*Our client’s description, not ours…but I liked it so I stole the phrase)
Delivery time was the other crucial factor. This was a bit trickier, but not a problem. You see, unlike a common carrier, where LTL freight is loaded and unloaded as much as 12 times, our clients’ freight never leaves the trailer it was originally loaded onto.
Admittedly, a common carrier can get freight delivered a little faster than a padded van line such as Donovan Logistics. This is because a common carrier relies on various break points or hubs along specific lanes. But, this means that each time it hits one of these hubs, it comes off the truck and is reloaded loaded onto another one. The risk of damage is increased each time it’s handled. That’s quite a few opportunities for something to go drastically wrong!
On the flip side of that, Donovan Logistics does not rely on break points for our LTL shipments. Once our clients’ freight has been loaded onto the trailer at the origin location, it remains there until it reaches its destination.
To compensate for the slight increase in transit time, we chose to go with a team driver operation. Operators are only allowed to drive 500 miles a day. To ensure our client’s freight arrived on time, we chose to assign a two-man driver team. This way they could do a full 1000 miles a day. In the end, this allowed them to get the shipment to San Francisco on time while also hitting every other client stop along the way.
Understandably, our client was anxious about this project. This is an important customer for them. They had to make sure it went perfect. So, you can imagine my excitement when I got a call from the receiving manager in San Francisco telling me that the unit arrived on time and rigging team had already unloaded. Even better news, the unit was in perfect condition.
Our client put their trust in us to deliver and we did. If you can relate to this story then you know the feeling of not knowing if you’re transportation partner is providing the most secure and efficient service possible.
Our focus and dedication to transporting high value products and equipment is what makes Donovan Logistics unique.
We help companies that manufacture high value equipment - such as lab and medical equipment, electronics and machinery - deliver their products safely while ensuring it arrives on time – helping them avoid profit eating late penalties.
We can help Boston Scientific the same way – and provide you peace of mind. I’d be happy to put you in touch with some of the folks we work with over at Haemonetics, CareFusion, Bruker and several other similar organizations if you like.
I’d like to learn more about your shipping operation, and determine exactly how our specialized padded van line transportation services can make your life a whole lot easier.
