The High Stakes of Plant Shutdowns

"In the automotive world, a plant shutdown can cost millions every minute, every hour," said Mike Ernst, Chief Operating Officer at Expedite All. The implications are staggering: thousands of workers are idle, supply chains are disrupted, and financial losses are mounting by the second.

Companies often scramble to keep production lines moving, sometimes resorting to extreme measures like chartering planes or even helicopters to transport critical parts. "Their costs are so high when you're shutting that line down," Ernst added. "Five, ten, fifteen thousand worth of freight charges is a much better spend to get product there quickly versus shutting down a line at one or two million dollars a minute."

But what exactly causes these costly shutdowns? In Expedite All’s experience, most delays are caused by the inability to receive essential components needed for assembly on time. In the just-in-time manufacturing model widely adopted by virtually all industries, companies maintain minimal inventory levels to reduce storage costs. While efficient, this approach leaves little room for error, so any hiccup in the supply chain can bring an entire assembly line to a grinding halt.

The ripple effects extend beyond immediate financial losses. Shutdowns can damage a company's reputation, destroy customer trust, and strain relationships with suppliers and dealers. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t it?

Expedite All's On-Demand Fleet: A Timely Solution

Fast and Flexible Pickups

"We can pick up in half an hour, an hour, two hours, depending on how far away they are from that origin, and run direct," said Mike Ernst, COO. Expedite All offers a fleet of over 7,200 on-demand vehicles ready to pick up shipments within 30 minutes to two hours, depending on proximity.

The flexibility of pickup times allows us to react swiftly to unexpected supply chain disruptions. Whether it's a critical component stuck at a distant warehouse or an urgent need for additional materials due to increased production demands, Expedite All's fleet can mobilize quickly, giving you a winning advantage during peak seasons or when standard carriers are overbooked.

Direct Door-to-Door Service

"It's a direct door-to-door service. It's the fastest ground option," said Mike Ernst. We eliminate intermediate stops and transfers to reduce the risk of delays, damage, or loss. "You don't have to worry about co-mingling damage, stops delaying your transit."

In conventional shipping, goods often change hands multiple times, increasing the potential for mishandling or misrouting. Expedite All's dedicated vehicles transport shipments straight from the origin to the destination, ensuring that the cargo remains secure and arrives intact.

Direct routes reduce the overall transit time, which can be a game-changer when every minute counts. 

Right-Sized Shipments and Competitive Pricing

Expedite All ensures that shipments are right-sized for the cargo, offering competitive pricing models that make financial sense. "You can get an on-demand vehicle that's competitive. It's right-sized to your shipment size," says Mile Ernst. 

Whether it is a small van for light loads or a larger truck for bulkier items, our clients only pay for the space they need. This customization prevents wasted resources and keeps costs in check. In contrast, options like chartering an entire plane or helicopter, while fast, are often prohibitively expensive and may offer more capacity than required.

Expedite All's competitive rates make expedited shipping accessible to a broader range of businesses, not just industry giants, so small and medium-sized enterprises can also benefit from these services.

Unregulated by DOT Hours and Team Drivers

Sprinter vans and box trucks can maintain higher highway speeds and are unregulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) hours of service. "Our drivers, especially on the sprinters and box trucks, can run the highway speeds, and they're not regulated by DOT hours of service," Mike Ernst says. For longer distances, team drivers are deployed to ensure continuous operation without mandatory rest periods. "We have teams that can run direct on long distances so that there's no downtime for rest periods." 

The lack of DOT hours of service regulations on certain vehicles allows for greater flexibility and speed in delivery times. Drivers can cover longer distances in shorter periods without violating safety regulations, which is critical when time is of the essence. The use of team drivers further enhances this capability since they can take turns resting and driving, enabling nonstop transportation over extended distances.

Extensive Experience in the Automotive Sector

With a proven track record, Expedite All has handled over 45,000 shipments in the automotive sector within a 12-month period. "In a year's time span, we've handled over 45,000 shipments in the automotive sector for either just-in-time type deliveries, plant shutdown type deliveries," Mike Ernst shares.

This deep understanding of the automotive industry's nuances allows Expedite All to anticipate challenges and proactively develop solutions. Familiarity with the industry's supply chain dynamics, production schedules, and regulatory requirements means Expedite All can offer tailored services that align with clients' specific needs.

Whether it's a single urgent delivery or managing multiple simultaneous shipments, Expedite All has the resources and expertise to execute efficiently.

Delivering Results: Saving Millions Through Efficient Logistics

With Expedite All's solutions, companies can avoid the astronomical costs associated with plant shutdowns. We provide rapid, reliable, and direct transportation services to ensure your production lines keep moving and shelves remain stocked. "It's a much better option than shutting down a plant and having 3,400 people standing around waiting for product, costing you a million dollars, two million a minute," said Mike Ernst.

Companies that can avoid disruptions are better positioned to meet market demands, fulfill customer orders on time, and maintain a strong reputation in the industry. In an era where consumer expectations are high and brand loyalty is hard-won, consistent performance is key.

From any perspective, Expedite All's services also offer peace of mind. Knowing that a reliable partner is available to address urgent transportation needs allows companies to focus on their core competencies rather than logistical emergencies. 

Expedite All adapts quickly to changing circumstances, making them an invaluable ally in maintaining business continuity. In situations where traditional logistics networks are strained, such as during peak seasons and holidays, Expedite All performs at its full, providing access to an on-demand fleet.

"In a landscape where every minute counts, partnering with a logistics provider that understands the urgency and has the resources to act swiftly is invaluable," said Mike Ernst. Expedite All's commitment to efficiency and reliability saves money while fortifying supply chains against unexpected disruptions.

*Following an interview with Mike Ernst, Chief Operating Officer at Expedite All.