There is More to Trucking Than Just Trucks
In this first-ever Forum workshop hosted by Atlas STG, Vice President of Operations Bill Travelstead moderated a panel comprising experts from four major niches in the specialized transportation arena. After their formal presentations, panelists fielded a variety of questions to address specific concerns of audience members.
Moderator
Bill Travelstead
Vice President of Operations
Specialized Transportation Group,
Atlas Van Lines, Inc.
Presenters
Lisa Montgomery
Manager, Specialized Transportation
and Air Freight
Gap Inc.
Alan Raiff
Senior Materials Manager
Siemens Molecular Imaging
Laurie Lulucki
Transportation Director
Exhibit Works, Inc.
Robert Simon
President, Transport
Consultants International, Inc.
Retail Store Fixtures
Lisa Montgomery discussed the challenges she faces as Manager of Specialized Transportation & Air Freight with Gap Inc. She said her team services "non-merchandise product" which includes construction, fixtures and supplies. They will manage approximately 450 projects in 2007 involving new or remodeled stores for Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap, and outlet brands.
"It is difficult to manage target time-and-day deliveries because they are made after hours and on off days," said Lisa. "They may be on a Sunday night or an early morning."
Timing is especially critical because many deliveries take place within 4 hours of receiving the Certificate of Occupancy from the property owner. And because each brand operates independently, they sometimes request logistical services on the same day, complicating the coordination of services.
Once delivery takes place, the van line typically provides labor at origin and delivery. However, Lisa says she is evaluating unassisted delivery options during 2007.
Many pieces need assembly and installation, so Lisa's team counts on "white glove service." Debris removal is standard. And because customized pieces are one-of-a-kind, service providers must have the capability to provide on-site repair if necessary.
High-Tech Electronics
Alan Raiff, Senior Materials Manager with Siemens Molecular Imaging, oversees the delivery and installation of some of the most advanced medical diagnostic tools in the world. In particular, his molecular imaging products detect cell activity and changes before they can be seen with other kinds of imaging devices. These products support applications in oncology, cardiology and neurology.
The Symbia S and Symbia T products for PET and CT imaging are large, heavy machines. "The gantry weighs about 4000 pounds, and the bed approximately 2400 pounds," said Alan. "The units are often larger than a hospital elevator."
Typically, delivery takes place on Monday between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Installers are on site to begin installation immediately. Their job is finished by Friday, when they turn the machine over to the customer. Training commences the following Monday and the machine is in use on the second Tuesday following delivery.
In surveys of traffic managers, Alan has found the most important factors for success are:
1. On-time delivery.
2. Proper equipment.
3. Experienced, skilled driver (perhaps the most important factor).
4. Labor with appropriate appearance and behavior.
5. No damage to equipment or facility.
A smooth delivery helps Siemens meet business-critical goals. It keeps Siemens resources on schedule, ensures minimal interruptions to the customer, and creates a positive environment for the rest of the installation process.
Auto and Trade Shows
Exhibit Works, Inc. designs, creates, transports, warehouses and installs exhibits for auto and trade shows. According to Transportation Director Laurie Lulucki, "If there are ground rules for transportation, exhibit freight will break all the ground rules."
"We have a saying: Why wait till the last minute when you can wait till the last second?"
Laurie said that choosing a carrier with a support staff that can be a partner for on-time delivery every time is the goal of transportation directors. "It's the one decision we make that can make or break our careers, let us sleep at night, and have time with our families on weekends."
On-Time Delivery Is a Must
Laurie touched on the unique aspects of serving auto shows, whose season extends from August through April. The average kit for a show requires from one to four truckloads. The sequential nature of shows is a unique characteristic of auto exhibitions. Products are crated, and the crating must be properly constructed to endure from show to show. Moving into a venue is carefully orchestrated to accommodate the many vendors who must access each hall. A violation of the scheduled move-in time incurs hefty drayage penalties (as much as 30 to 35 percent), not to mention added expenses for labor.
Laurie said the trade show industry presents its own set of challenges. It is important to remember that people and clients keep the trucks rolling. "When I call to ask 'where's the truck?' I represent a project manager, account manager, account executive, dispatch person, on-site supervisor, and the client. The biggest thing is communication: you cannot over-communicate."
Fine Art
Robert Simon is President of Transport Consultants International, Inc., a freight brokerage with specialized strengths in shipping art.
Robert described his reliance on different modes of freight transportation, depending on the needs of the job. His ground transportation consists primarily of art shuttle trucks and van lines.
"Art shuttle trucks are almost all climate-controlled," said Robert. "They contain only art and antiques." He added that unpacked or soft packed pieces never travel in a van line trailer.
Because of the limited number of art shuttles, they cannot provide an immediate service. Rather, they offer a 2-day window on timing. "In our business, what we're looking for isn't so much the 'on-time,'" said Robert. "We're looking for safety. We don't want the crates moved at all if they're on a shuttle. Climate control is a must."
He said that many art deliveries require couriers to accompany the item. Climate controlled deliveries always include two drivers and a lift gate.
Because of the high value of goods, Robert and his crew never answer questions about what route is planned or where trucks are going to be. "The security is in not knowing where the truck is," said Robert. "Even the courier on the truck does not let anyone know where it is."
Packing art is an art itself. Practically everything Robert uses a van line to transport is crated. The crater is a specialist that sometimes must be flown into a location to provide the needed service.
Robert says his firm has practically no claims. This is no accident; it is a function of knowing what to do, and knowing what not to do. Having such knowledge is a matter of long-term success or instant failure because the transportation of art involves one-of-a-kind items that cannot be replaced.
Sometimes, success boils down to knowing when to say 'no.' "It's really important for us, moving art to museums, that it's done properly," said Robert. "And if properly means telling the client, 'I can't do it when you want us to,' then so be it."