Listed here are the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive at ProTrans. If you can't find the answer to your question here, or in any other part of this document, let us know. We'll update this section with your question, and the answer.

How ProTrans International:

Reduces transportation costs
Provides time definite deliveries
Reduce expedites
Has service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Is a logistics provider that focuses on continuous improvement and has proven success
Increases space in the plant
Avoids multiple cross docking loads
Improves control over suppliers to eliminate "off ship day" shipments
Develops a process that will illustrate when suppliers have not shipped on their scheduled ship day
Is a provider that is capable of facilitating shared truckloads and costs
Allocates freight costs by supplier
Provides management reports on costs and service that self support improvements to the program
Provides real time tracking of all supplier shipments
Increases shipment frequency
Controls shipping schedules
Reduces inventory costs
Increased inventory control
Increases the average weight of border truckloads
Obtains part load rates for border consolidations that are less than full truckload
Is an inter-Mexico provider that consolidates and crosses all shipments from the interior
Provides door to door service

Reduce Transportation Costs
Our unique approach to supply chain management enables us to reduce your transportation costs in several ways:

    1. Program Analysis - We begin with a thorough analysis of your existing transportation program to identify areas of inefficiencies.

    2. PSC System – It is adept at combining higher-cost LTL shipments from different regions into more cost-effective full truckloads.

    3. LoadBuilder Software – Weight and cube improvements are made, fully utilizing the entire trailer.

    4. Position Pricing on Consolidated Linehauls– Customers pay for only the space their freight occupies.

    5. Designated Ship Days – Our system allows you to control which days your suppliers ship. Requiring suppliers to hold your freight until the most optimal time for release results in more efficient consolidations and additional cost savings to you.

    6. Performance and Strategy Overviews – We periodically review our customers’ entire program to identify any opportunities for enhancements.

    7. Additional Indirect Savings – Decreased inventories, reduced transit times, elimination of premium freight, and fewer damages all lower transportation costs.  TOP

Time Definite Deliveries
A time clock is placed on every shipment even before it is picked up. All shipments are traced versus that clock. If a shipment is running behind schedule, appropriate measures, including air freight, will be implemented at our expense to assure timely delivery. TOP

Reduce Expedites
Each of your suppliers will be programmed into our Supplier Release Schedule so that you know when your freight is due. The time definite delivery service we provide ensures that your freight will be delivered when the Release Schedule indicates it will. Relying on this accurate system allows you to eliminate air freight, dedicated linehauls, and exclusive-use service.

In addition, our No Ship report viewed via ProLink will inform you of any supplier who is scheduled to ship on a particular day that does not actually ship. This allows you to be proactive to determine why the shipment is delayed so we can take measures to get it delivered on time. TOP

Have Service Available 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
We understand that the nature of manufacturing dictates that there is really no time off. As a logistics provider to the manufacturing community, we have service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all foreign and domestic holidays. TOP

Have a Logistics Provider That Focuses on Continuous Improvement and Has Proven Success
Periodic Performance and Strategy Overviews detail our service and costs. These reviews uncover inefficiencies that may have arisen in your supply chain and facilitates improvement.

Our state-of-the-art technology is constantly being upgraded. For example, in the past year we have added more search criteria and reports to our ProLink system. Also, we have recently implemented a Web-based BOL tracking system. This new system is so powerful, you can trace shipments by part number.

Success has been proven through the receipt of several awards. We have been selected as the Ernst & Young 1996 and 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year. Also in 1999, Emerson Motor Procurement Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of electric motors, presented ProTrans International with a Distinguished Supplier Award. To cap off our accomplishments, in October 1999, we were listed as number 212 on Inc. magazine’s annual list 500 of fastest-growing companies.

The success of our techniques can also be demonstrated through our many satisfied customers. If you would like a list of references, one will be provided for you. TOP

Increase Space in the Plant
Our expeditious transit times along with a dependable delivery schedule supports a lean manufacturing environment. With raw material arriving when it is needed on the production line, safety stocks can be reduced to free up more usable space in the plant. TOP

Avoid Multiple Cross Docking Loads
Consolidated truckloads are picked up from our Origin Service Center and delivered directly to our Destination Service Center. The Destination Center is the one and only place a load is cross docked. Full truckloads are never cross docked. TOP

Improve Control Over Suppliers to Eliminate "off ship day" Shipments

Lock Out days, days when you don’t want your suppliers to ship, can be programmed into our system. If a supplier attempts to ship on a locked out day, ProTrans International will decline pick-up. Since we understand that flexibility is important, if authorization is received from designated personnel, we will make arrangements for the freight to be shipped that day. TOP

Develop a Process That Will Illustrate When Suppliers Have Not Shipped on Their Scheduled Ship Day
Each morning, ProTrans International personnel proactively calls all suppliers that have been scheduled to ship that day via our Supplier Release Schedule. By noon, each customer is notified in writing which suppliers are non-compliant in our No Ship Report. This information is available in real-time over our Web site so shipments can be confirmed as early as 9 am EST. TOP

Obtain a Provider That is Capable of Facilitating Shared Truckloads and Costs
Since we specialize in manufacturing environments, we service a number of customers with similar transportation and logistics needs. Between ProTrans International Service Centers, capacity on our trailers is shared with the freight of our customers and our partner carriers’ customers. With our position pricing program, you only pay for the space your freight occupies on the shared trailers. TOP

Allocate Freight Costs by Supplier
In the Cost Analysis section of our periodic Performance and Strategy Overviews, we indicate each supplier’s cost per pound. This information is also available on an as needed basis. TOP

Provide Management Reports on Costs and Service That Self Support Improvements to the Program
As part of our continuous improvement process, we schedule periodic Performance and Strategy Overviews. The review includes reports on transit times, claims ratios, inactive suppliers, a cost summary, supplier cost per pound, and other performance metrics.

With this information, we can uncover any inefficiencies and adjust your program to its optimal level. One example is that we list any shipments that shipped LTL that may be more economical to send via a parcel service. TOP

Provide Real Time Tracking of All Supplier Shipments
Our system is constantly updated with the status of our customers’ shipments. Real time as well as historic data is posted on ProLink at our Web site. Shipments can be tracked using various search criteria such as supplier, due date, trailer, pick-up date, delivery date, and BOL number. TOP

Increase Shipment Frequency
We can work with you to analyze shipment frequencies to support your inventory goals. We will then demonstrate the cost differential from the typical weekly shipment to one with increased frequencies. Because each supplier is scheduled independently of other suppliers via our Supplier Release Schedule, we are capable of handling every supplier shipping at a different frequency. TOP

Controlled Shipping Schedules
Our Supplier Release Schedule allows you to schedule suppliers’ shipments independently of one another. Lock Out days, days when you don’t want your suppliers to ship, can be programmed into our system. If a supplier attempts to ship on a locked out day, ProTrans International will decline pick-up. Since we understand that flexibility is important, if authorization is received from designated personnel, we will make arrangements for the freight to be picked up that day.

Each morning, ProTrans International personnel proactively calls all suppliers that have been scheduled to ship that day via our Supplier Release Schedule. By noon, each customer is notified in writing which suppliers are non-compliant in our No Ship Report. TOP

Reduce Inventory Costs
ProTrans International helps facilitate reduced inventory levels in three ways. First, reducing the length of time your freight is in transit through our program decreases the amount of inventory you are holding at any given time. Second, time definite delivery as indicated by our Supplier Release Schedule allows for enhanced scheduling. Knowing exactly when the next shipment of raw materials will arrive will help you hold less safety stock. Finally, viewing the location of your inbound freight via ProLink will also facilitate optimal planning. TOP

Increased Inventory Control
Our Supplier Release Schedule combined with a scheduled arrival time puts you in control of when your raw material will be shipped and delivered. Our Internet-based ProLink system will enable you to verify the location of your freight en route. TOP

Increase the Average Weight of Border Truckloads
By having synchronized delivery dates of your LTL shipments, you can cross them in TL quantities the same day they arrive. This will decrease your on hand inventory and also lower the number of border crossings. TOP

Obtain Part Load Rates for Border Consolidations That are Less Than Full Truckload
With our position pricing program, you pay for only the amount of space your freight occupies on the trailer. You will then be charged part load rates for your LTL shipments. In addition, our LoadBuilder program illustrates the most effective way to load freight, bringing you ideal cube efficiency without sacrificing load stability. TOP

Develop Inter-Mexico Provider That Consolidates and Crosses All Shipments from the Interior
The elements of partner carriers and freight consolidation are what ProTrans International is built upon. We are implementing the same proven method for the interior of Mexico as we have in the US and Canada. We currently have a partner carrier base in the interior of Mexico along with Service Centers in Mexico and along the border. With the formation of ProTrans de Mexico last year, we are now equipped as a legal entity within Mexico and provide the same services our customers in the US and Canada enjoy. TOP

Door to Door Service
We offer door to door service of goods from your supplier base, through the Mexican border, to your manufacturing or warehouse facility. By having one company manage all elements of the process, you are ensured that every element is working together synchronously.

With a one-stop-shop handling the entire process, you are assured of increased visibility and control of your freight. One point of contact will help you overcome any difficulties you may encounter, and one invoice per consolidated move eliminates confusion and decreases time-consuming paperwork. TOP