Problems:

• New store fixture deliveries were primarily routed by the vendors.
• Maintenance moves (replacement tables, fixtures) lost visibility.
• Expedited freight costs increased due to vendor quality issues.
• Trailer utilization and capacity issues were ignored.
• Freight costs for new store construction were increasing.
• Each new store was receiving multiple trailers of fixtures - none of which constituted a full load.

Fischer Trucking Solution:
Implement a cross dock for the client. Vendors would ship multiple stores in each trailer to the cross dock where Fischer would unload each trailer, inspect each fixture and consolidate the fixtures/furniture from multiple vendors into one or two trailers depending on store size. Management from store planning, construction, transportation and maintenance signed off on the idea.

Benefits:
Reduced transportation charges by approximately $350,000.00 in year one. Quality issues/damages were addressed at the cross dock, not at the store level or construction site. Each fixture was delivered in store ready condition. Improved the work flow of the general contractors by improving trailer utilization, eliminating extra trailers and subsequent labor costs.