Case Study: Streamlining Tire Shipping from Germany to Canada

Overview

As industry leaders in OE tire logistics, our team successfully executed a mission-critical supply chain project for a major tire brand, ensuring flawless delivery from Germany to automotive assembly lines in Ontario. With zero tolerance for errors in Original Equipment (OE) supply chains, our expertise in air freight logistics, cross-docking, and IT-driven compliance management ensured that every tire arrived on time, in perfect condition, and fully compliant with DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations.

Key Challenges & Expert Solutions

1. Air Freight & Cross-Docking Efficiency

   • Challenge: OE production schedules left no room for delays. Air freight logistics and cross-docking had to be executed with precision to prevent disruptions.
   • Solution: We designed a seamless cross-docking operation at our Ontario facility, reducing storage time and ensuring just-in-time (JIT) delivery to automotive assembly lines.

2. Flawless Adherence to FPFO (First Produced, First Out) Rules

   • Challenge: Strict FPFO compliance was required to prevent any deviation in tire sequencing for assembly.
   • Solution: Our automated FPFO tracking system eliminated the risk of human error, ensuring that the oldest produced tires were always used first, without exception.

3. DOT Compliance & Auto Blocking Rules

   • Challenge: Any OE tire exceeding its allowable storage timeframe needed immediate identification and blocking, as per DOT regulations.
   • Solution: Our real-time compliance system automatically generates alerts and notifications for DOT expirations, ensuring prompt action and seamless regulatory compliance without manual effort. By tracking each tire by its serial number, we can quickly identify quality holds or necessary actions within our facility. This precise tracking enhances visibility, giving us greater control over tires in our system and warehouse.

4. IT-Driven Accuracy in Quality & Compliance

   • Challenge: Manual processes posed a risk to DOT tracking, quality blacklists, and quarantine stock management. Even one incorrect entry could lead to costly compliance failures.
   • Solution: Our advanced IT system continuously tracks DOT codes, blacklisted products, and quarantined stock in real time, minimizing errors to nearly zero. It automatically enforces quality holds and blocking actions, generating instant notifications to ensure swift compliance. Manual input is only needed for audits, preserving oversight while streamlining operations.

5. Precision in Loading & Transport

   • Challenge: OE tires demand exact loading specifications, including conicity separation and precise documentation to prevent vibration issues in final assembly.
   • Solution: We implemented a standardized loading protocol where tires were sorted on the truck based on conicity and documented on the BOL, ensuring accurate placement for nose, tail, and middle sections. This eliminated inconsistencies and ensured smooth transport.

Results & Impact

• Zero Compliance Violations: Every tire met FPFO, DOT, and OE quality standards.
• 99.9% Operational Accuracy: IT automation eliminated tracking and quarantine errors.
• Faster Cross-Docking Turnaround:  Reduced storage time and increased delivery speed.
• Standardized Loading Practices: Consistent transport methodology ensured OE integrity.

PiVAL Can Help Ship Your Tires and OE Parts

This project is a testament to the power of automation, precision, and expert-driven execution in the OE supply chain. When it comes to OE logistics, there is no margin for error. Our seamless integration of real-time tracking, compliance automation, and standardized loading protocols ensured flawless execution from production to final assembly. With our expertise, automotive manufacturers can trust that their supply chain will operate with unmatched accuracy, efficiency, and compliance—every single time.

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