Mastering Logistics to Exceed Customer Expectations

by Amtech Editorial Team, on 3/7/23 2:34 PM

Acme Corrugated BoxAcme Corrugated Box Company is a real-time manufacturer of corrugated packaging products. Since its establishment in 1918, Acme has retained its tradition,
remaining a family-run business through decades of growth and success. The plant inhabits a 250,000-square-foot modern complex in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, and features state-of-the-art capital equipment. Acme is committed to lean manufacturing and improving the environment through green initiatives using sustainable resources and the latest technologies to lead the industry in design, development, scheduling, delivery, and order tracking. Acme’s success is nothing short of a classic story of hard work, family commitment, and the American dream.

Challenge

The inability to efficiently plan, track, and manage delivery and logistics efforts is a problem that is far too common in manufacturing plants,. For Acme Corrugated
specifically, this was an ongoing, multi-fold challenge that took a lot of productivity away from their staff. Proof of delivery and the management of invoices were some of the most difficult problems to address.

“Managing logistics is a challenge that every manufacturing plant faces,” says Acme Vice President CFO David Platt. “We just kind of managed it the best way we knew how. We wished for a better solution, but we didn’t have one, so we just did the best with what we had.”

This became a multi-fold issue for Acme because the problem was specific to their customers’ operations as well. Platt continued, “Between our customers, sales
and service reps, accounts payable, and shipping and receiving groups, there was a lot of back and forth communication.”

Intent on upgrading delivery operations, Acme began to search for a better solution. “Finding a solution that interfaces with a specific ERP system is difficult, but we knew that we wanted to take full advantage of mobile technology to increase our operating efficiencies,” says Platt. “We’ve been partners with Amtech for many years, so once we were notified that there was a mobile app in development, we knew it was something we wanted.”

Solution

Amtech’s Mobile Logistics app extends the inventory and delivery functions within Imaginera to a manufacturing plant’s fleet. Through the use of a rugged mobile
device or iPhone or iPad, truck drivers can electronically capture signatures and transmit instant proof of delivery back to the office. Amtech’s Mobile Logistics app eliminates the need for physical packaging slips and bills of lading, and sends invoices to customers automatically, speeding up cash flow. In addition, manufacturers can use the app to analyze delivery metrics (i.e. driver wait and unload times) to hold their customers accountable for potential impacts on delivery schedules.

Prior to implementation, Acme made sure that communication was clear both internally and externally. “We began by training our drivers, educating our sales reps,
and meeting with our top 100 customers to present the app to them,” explained Platt. In addition, Acme created a standardized form for all customers to fill out and provide shipping and accounts payable information.

Overall, the transition to Mobile Logistics was a smooth and seamless process. “We had a great plan in place before we flipped the switch,” says Platt. “When we went live we made sure to have someone in the shipping department for a week or two to deal with any day-to-day challenges. “

As with anything that is new, Acme initially thought that their customers and sales reps wouldn’t be too excited about the implementation However, once Mobile Logistics was in use, it quickly gained a lot of credibility.

Results

““Mobile Logistics has been a great solution to our challenges,
and I know for a fact that it has helped our customers meet
their needs and solve some of their internal issues as well...”
David Platt

David Platt
Vice President CFO
Acme Corrugated Box Co., Inc

Since implementing Amtech’s Mobile Logistics, Acme has seen a substantial improvement in customer satisfaction, and an immense increase in operational
efficiency. According to Platt, a “perfect example” is in proof of delivery, which now rests in Acme’s internal system and can be accessed via email by sales and customer service reps at their convenience, and by customers via the Customer Care Portal.

Today, when Acme brings a new customer on board, the Mobile Logistics form must be completed before they even start a credit check. “That is how much we have installed the app into our process internally, “ says Platt.

“Our customers love it, and we love it,” says Platt. “Mobile Logistics has been a great solution to our challenges, and I know for a fact that it has helped our customers meet their needs and solve some of their internal issues as well, which we didn’t foresee, quite frankly.” Platt continued, “The app has also really helped us reduce waste throughout our plant. Wasted energy, wasted resources, and wasted time. We now have time to spend on more important things.”

Topics:Mobile LogisticsCase Study

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