A Leading Pet Food Company was struggling with a challenge familiar to shippers across any industry - managing a complex shipping operation with outdated processes. With a reliance on manual data entry into a variety of shared spreadsheets, it was a challenge to accurately track costs, manage carrier performance, and record freight spend. Though the need for a more modern supply chain management system was apparent, the company faced a familiar theme - the inability to make any major tech investments - especially with a logistics focus. By taking the time to truly understand their customer’s day-to-day operations and challenges, Kingsgate Logistics crafted an affordable, custom solution that transformed the company’s freight management - bringing clarity, efficiency, and real-time visibility to their supply chain.

Identifying the Core Challenges:

1. Lack of Visibility & Accountability: The company’s logistics data was siloed across multiple spreadsheets maintained by various stakeholders throughout the organization. This fragmentation limited visibility into key metrics and data points because stakeholders maintained separate views of costs by vendor, lane, and movement. Their processes restricted the evaluation of different carriers and capacity solutions. Decision-makers lacked a standardized method to analyze performance data and costs from different business units, lanes, and vendors - preventing decision-makers from making impactful changes.
2. Manual Data Entry: Individual spreadsheets used for freight scheduling and cost tracking relied on manual input, introducing errors and inefficiencies. Not to mention that a very manual process also forced team members to divert time that could be spent working on more strategic, customer-facing tasks. With hundreds of shipments each week, the absence of centralized analytics made it challenging to identify trends or cost-saving opportunities.
3. Reactive Operations and Tracking: Manual versus automated tracking processes limited the team’s ability to proactively monitor shipments or assess carrier performance. Reporting was delayed, and the logistics team was often forced to react to issues rather than anticipate them.
4. Shipment Tendering: Freight tenders and re-tenders were managed through a manual, email-based tendering process. This led to delays, suboptimal carrier selection, and increased spot market exposure - which is particularly problematic when managing hundreds of shipments weekly.
5. Budget Constraints: Due to budget constraints, the customer was unable to implement a traditional ERP/TMS solution to improve their supply chain operations.

Increased Visibility & Accountability 

The customer gained complete visibility through Kingsgate’s Compass platform, which unified all essential data points into one dashboard. Through the Compass platform, stakeholders gained real-time visibility into freight spend and costs per vendor, lane performance, and alternative carrier options, which replaced disjointed spreadsheets. The platform provided centralized tracking for accessorials, FSC, and more - delivering much- needed transparency into total logistics spend.

Automated Tracking & Performance Insights

Real-time tracking and automated performance analytics replaced manual reporting, enabling proactive exception management and accurate, on-time performance measurements by carrier and vendor.

Streamlined Waterfall Tendering & Guaranteed Coverage

Compass delivered fully automated waterfall tendering aligned to the customer’s routing guide, prioritizing load offers to preferred carriers in sequential tiers. This ensured contracted carriers received first access to the customer’s volumes. If contract carriers are unavailable, Compass seamlessly escalates tenders through the next tiers, providing guaranteed backup coverage by tapping Kingsgate’s extensive network of vetted contract carriers.
 
A key differentiator is Kingsgate’s commitment to market-based and transparent pricing for guaranteed backup coverage. This approach not only maximizes routing guide compliance, but also empowers the customer to control costs and respond confidently to market fluctuations.

Customized Solutions Without Additional Cost

All enhancements and customizations were delivered without additional buildout fees, ensuring the solution aligned with the customer’s financial parameters.

The Results

By implementing Kingsgate’s Compass platform and customized logistics solutions, the customer achieved:

• A centralized supply chain dashboard, providing visibility into all logistics operations.
• Automated, accurate tracking and performance reporting.
• Efficient waterfall tendering and guaranteed backup, reducing spot market exposure and costs.
• Enhanced carrier selection through robust analytics.
• Significant operational efficiencies and cost savings - all within budget.

Through collaboration, creativity, and a deep understanding of operational challenges, the company was able to transition from reactive, manual processes to a streamlined freight strategy grounded in data and visibility. What once felt out of reach (real-time tracking, automated tendering, and centralized analytics) became foundational to daily operations, all without disrupting the budget. For shippers navigating similar constraints, this journey with Kingsgate offers a clear example of how the right partnership can unlock clarity, control, and long-term resilience in a fast-moving supply chain landscape.

Like this kind of content? Subscribe to our "Food For Thought" eNewsletter!

Now more than ever, professionals consume info on the go. Distributed twice monthly, our "Food For Thought" e-newsletter allows readers to stay informed about timely and relevant industry topics and FSA news whether they're in the office or on the road. Topics range from capacity, rates and supply chain disruption to multimodal transportation strategy, leveraging technology, and talent management and retention. Learn More