Customized Solutions for Cross-Border Needs
Gebrüder Weiss: delivering solutions
When a major manufacturer needed a new supply chain partner, its leadership team entered into discussions with Gebrüder Weiss. We provided more than standard freight forwarding and cookie-cutter strategies. We developed a truly customized solution – a team, port, and warehouse designed for the company’s specific crossborder needs.
At a Glance: Global Vehicle Component Manufacturer
Our client is a global leader in designing and manufacturing electrical systems, vehicle components and accessories, plastic products and robotic assemblies. Because the company manufactures component parts, major vehicle companies rely on error-free, on-time deliveries from them to complete assembly line production. The company will go above and beyond to prevent supply chain disruption, but they were experiencing too many delays with their former partner at the U.S./Mexico border.
The Challenge
The Challenge
The Scenario:
The client identified multiple issues with its movement of goods across the border.
The raw material was moving southbound to factories without established lead times or a predictable flow, making it difficult for them to provide reliable timelines to its major manufacturing customers.
The client felt that their supplier wasn’t prioritizing the shipments based on their needs or timelines but instead managing the flow of trade on its timetable, sometimes at a reputational and monetary cost.
Our client sought a partner with experience in the complexities of crossborder operations and with a team that would work with them as a priority client rather than as a small fish in a big pond.
The Solution
The Solution
A Custom Warehouse & Better Customer Service
Gebrüder Weiss already had an active location in El Paso, Texas, the infrastructure, experienced personnel, and established cross-border trade operations to respond quickly to our client and develop a comprehensive program to meet the company’s needs.
Our custom Laredo warehouse checked every box on our client’s list. The 16,200-square-foot facility includes a cross-dock warehouse to handle both Northbound and Southbound cargo. It’s hazmatcertified, processes bonded and general cargo, and features a Mexican customs brokerage for import/export and U.S. customs brokerage for import/export, customs clearance, and in-bond freight. We handle more than 4000 cross-docked loads annually for this customer through this facility.
We provided the client with our standard single point of contact for better service. This approach lets us learn the company’s needs in-depth and anticipate and proactively address potential issues. This high level of service and accommodation was a critical success factor in the new partnership.
Gebrüder Weiss
The Benefit
The Benefit
A Well-Oiled Machine
With Gebrüder Weiss as its partner, our client’s crossborder trade now runs like a well-oiled machine. Specifically, we:
Customized a Laredo facility built for their shipments, flow of goods, and supply chain needs
Provided a dedicated team that works closely with them as a high-priority client
Cut cross-dock wait times from several days to four hours
Developed meticulous recordkeeping protocols, including a seamless flow of data, regular business reviews, and key performance indicator (KPI) measurements
Developed a reliable system with zero direct overages and shortages attributed to us
Produced significant cost savings because of shortened lead teams, shipment reliability with no line-down situations, and improved overall performance
Prior to working with us, our client’s shipments were often languishing on cross docks, and we utilized our expertise and efficiency to cut that time to mere hours.
Vice President of Sales at Gebrüder Weiss
Michael Crandall
