This leading distributor of plumbing and heating supplies is leveraging Descartes’ optimized routing to elevate performance to the highest standards and reduce costs. Learn how centralization played a key role in this transformation story.

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US SUPPLY COMPANY CONSISTENTLY HITS PERFORMANCE TARGETS

EXPERT INSIGHT

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Challenge: Inefficient Processes Drive Up Costs

US Supply Company, a distributor of plumbing and heating supplies, had to minimize efficiencies, reduce the cost to serve, and increase customer satisfaction. With branches doing deliveries independently, the company lacked centralization and drivers did not have the tools to manage or organize deliveries.

Deliveries were very inefficient, frequent, and expensive. Various disorganized efforts were made at the branches, but it was disruptive, frustrating for employees, and the customer service was inconsistent.

Solution: Elevating Performance to the Highest Standards

The first major goal was to centralize the company’s operations; more specifically to “right size” the company fleet and driver pool. In addition, US Supply was looking to reduce overall equipment costs and the number of vehicles on multiple shifts. Finally, the company wanted to achieve the highest standard of customer service in their industry: providing next-day delivery down to the specific hour.

When asked about the importance of this initiative, Kevin Hollinger, Director of Operations, said the initiative was important because he wanted to be able to grow the business significantly by being able to provide the highest levels of customer service. His goal was to achieve on-time and complete deliveries at 99.5% or higher—something that has happened consistently with Descartes.

Optimized Routing Creates Compelling Business Proposition

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US Supply Optimizes Routing

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Results at a Glance

Enhanced Operational Efficiencies

The company has inventory at each of the branches and the inventory has to be replenished daily. The Descartes solution allowed to apply the same delivery standards for on-time and complete deliveries as they do with all of their customers.

Near-Perfect On-Time Record

The Descartes solution enabled the company to offer next-day deliveries at a designated hour. The company increased its on- time deliveries, hitting goals consistently at 99.5% on time and complete for the specified time and hour.

Cost Savings

Thanks to optimized processes, US Supply Company reduced the number of drivers from 19 to 9 and eliminated excess equipment cost. Furthermore, having reduced costs by over $425,000 and having minimized the upfront investment, helped profitability.

Competitive Business

Proposition

Using Descartes OnDemand enabled the company to share on-time performance metrics with their customers. With the added transparency and their current delivery record, US Supply expects to boost confidence with their customers.

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Results at a Glance

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Descartes in the Building Materials Distribution Industry CHAPTERS

About Descartes Systems Group Descartes is the global leader in on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance, and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Learn more about our routing solutions or contact us today.

Descartes helps building material distribution companies dramatically improve delivery productivity and create a differentiated end-to-end customer experience that helps grow the top and bottom line. From small to large operations and simple to complex delivery requirements, Descartes can help distributors get the most from their delivery operations to homes and construction sites.

Reservations: Smart delivery appointment scheduling for next- and same-day deliveries that enhances the customer experience, increases revenue, lowers delivery costs, and is environmentally friendly.

Planning & Scheduling: Advanced optimized planning combined with machine learning minimizes cost, maximizes capacity utilization, and minimizes the use of expensive specialty equipment.

Dispatch & Tracking: Intelligent performance dashboard enhanced with machine learning and real-time GPS improves delivery visibility and reliability and reduces depot turnaround times.

Mobile Apps: Intuitive proof-of-delivery (POD), manifests, and navigation improve driver productivity, reduce driver stress, and capture critical delivery location and capture critical delivery location and material quantity and quality information.

Notifications: Engage contractors from delivery appointment booking through real-time delivery tracking, POD details, and to allow contractors to optimize crew scheduling and utilization.

Telematics & Safety: Help ensure driver and vehicle performance, enforce safe operations, and meet regulatory reporting requirements.

Descartes in the Industry

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Optimized Routing Creates Compelling Business Proposition Descartes in the Building Materials Distribution Industry Results at a Glance

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