Unique Freight Shipping Constraints

Continually pushing the boundaries of construction, Western Windows crafts innovative solutions to expanding spaces – changing the way their clients live. Each glass wall and window is custom engineered to perfectly fit the space of that project.

With their custom fabrication model, Western Windows offer up a unique constraint in their supply chain as it pertains to space – requiring 24-36 hour drop 53′ dry van trailers for each shipment. Coupled alongside constrained residential job-site deliveries with upwards of eight drops per truck – this was a supply chain challenge the Stream Team was ready to create a freight shipping solution for!

With each job being completely custom, a majority of Western Windows floor space is dedicated for fabrication, not storage. Unlike a traditional commoditized manufacturer where freight can be palletized and stored within a small footprint – the sheer size Western’s products severely limits floor space. Therefore, once each wall or window is completed, it is required to be packaged and placed on a outbound logistics truck.

In the transportation industry where carriers are not making money if their wheels are not turning, finding a partner who is not only consistently able to remove equipment from their rotation, but also experienced with a milk run delivery model would be key.

Our freight shipping solution was to employ a long trusted partner carrier who not only had a sizable fleet, but was experienced with residential job-site deliveries. Additionally, this partner provided Stream access to both local and long-haul drivers.

This solution offered Western Windows the flexibility to have a local driver drop a trailer at a moment’s notice, clearing valuable floor space. With the added flexibility of keeping the trailer for longer than expected due to any delays with other aspects of the supply chain or project plan. Once the orders were fully completed and the trailer was full, a long-haul driver would hook up and complete the deliveries.

This solution not was not only beneficial to Western Windows, but to our partner carrier as well. Driver’s face a tremendous amount of uncertainty when dropping trailers. Specifically, worrying about having their equipment tied up for long periods of time, increasing the time they are away from home. Utilizing local drivers to complete the drops offered them peace of mind knowing they could still return home each night, and reduced any wait time for the long-haul driver’s, allowing them to hook up immediately and go.

With upwards of eight drops per truck, efficiency was a must. Each delivery site and route is thoroughly reviewed beforehand, creating a stress free supply chain for contractors and drivers, ensuring deliveries are completed in a timely manner.

To streamline communication, real-time tracking as well as direct communication was pushed to Western Windows via our online portal. The communication flow not only allowed for complete visibility to every drop on every order, but created an organized space that every Western Windows team member could reference.

Our ability to perfectly tailor a transportation solution which can be woven into our client’s current processes, making it appear as if it’s been there all along is one of our most valuable supply chain and logistics offerings. We love making our clients lives that much easier!