Hero-Warehouse-Management

Reusable Container Management

Comprehensive Logistics’ (CLI) reusable container management services include receiving and unloading inbound shipments, data input, inspecting, cleaning, repairing, sorting, inventorying, picking, loading, customizing visibility reports, and managing outbound shipments back to suppliers.

Closed-Loop Reusable Container Management Model

We employ a closed-loop reusable container management model, in which inbound shipments from suppliers are managed as round-trip shipments. Empty staged containers are systematically back-loaded on inbound trailers to be returned to the appropriate suppliers. We manage this process through pre-defined algorithms to define routing locations and schedules determined by container type.

CLI sorts, stages, and routes reusable racks and containers per the container OEM/vendor statements of work. Empty container schedules are created jointly based on each vendor’s shipping schedule. We work with each vendor to monitor their containers in the loop and measure and report on compliance to the container schedule. When insufficient quantities exist, Comprehensive Logistics issues and tracks authorizations to use alternatives.

Operating Plan Keys Solution for OEMs and Tier Suppliers

Through our end-to-end reusable container management solution, OEMs gain complete visibility to critical details, including most recent ship date and quantity, last day shipped to the supplier for that supplier’s containers, quantity delivered in the last 30 days, and quantity in transit.

The key to CLI's reusable container management solution is an operating plan that we develop in collaboration with our automotive OEM and agricultural equipment OEM customers; this plan details the quantity of containers that need to be returned to each supplier on a weekly basis. To determine the most efficient way to move loads and packouts, we use an optimization module within the transportation management system (TMS), and incorporate this into the operating plan. Each week, CLI builds loads using templates generated from this plan.

We create custom documents that are automatically emailed to customers at established timeframes and events. Our proprietary Web-enabled WMS, STREME™, provides customers with 24/7 visibility to item-level details and real-time reporting from any web-enabled device from inbound receipt to final delivery. As a result, OEMs can identify discrepancies (shorts or overs) between what is supposed to go to the supplier and what actually does, and allows easy tracking of containers and racks against the operating plan.

Working with Carriers

CLI pre-builds a list of preferred carriers (these can include the customer’s own carriers). As weekly return loads are being processed, we send a request for proposal to the carrier base and select a carrier based on price/service.

We manage the events of the loads and works directly with carriers to correct exceptions. Within the TMS, we can track which containers go to which suppliers, and in what quantity.

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