Forbes-Hewlett runs 100 trucks with six staff, up from 15.
The challenge
The industry looked a little different 25 years ago when Forbes-Hewlett began searching for a transport management system (TMS) and was referred to TransPlus. Back in the late 1990s the firm was still taking calls and recording orders manually. They used a lot of paper to print out copies of driver instructions and generate invoices.
Tracking trucks and deliveries was especially challenging: it could sometimes take days or weeks to provide their customers with updates on their loads. The process required different functional activities across the business, so their staff often found themselves working in “silos”, using disparate software solutions that lacked interoperability.
Choosing TransPlus
TransPlus continued to invest in their software and was able to improve the overall performance and deliver enhancements that reflected the needs of businesses like Forbes-Hewlett. With the support of the TMS, Forbes-Hewlett was able to scale their business to support more trucks, all while decreasing the staff required to run their operations. According to Forbes-Hewlett, the software and backend support is fast and powerful, and the way the platform is designed limits the number of user errors that can be made. TransPlus committed to designing an intuitive system that supported the logical flow of the transportation industry, while providing a satisfying overall user experience. TransPlus built an accounting integration that connected the information in Forbes-Hewlett’s TMS with their existing accounting system, helping them simplify their invoicing and payroll.
TransPlus also provided extensive support for EDI, making it easy for Forbes-Hewlett to stay competitive in a demanding market. The TransPlus TMS solution encompassed all areas of Forbes-Hewlett’s business and allowed them to stay connected, responsive, and agile in a rapidly-changing industry.
The results
When Forbes-Hewlett first adopted the TransPlus transportation management system they were a team of 4 staff that supported 15 trucks. Today, a productive team of only 6 can support 100 trucks and provide faster service and complete transparency for tracking vehicles and deliveries. With the TransPlus TMS solution they have been able to establish a proactive approach that ensures they can stay on top of their commitments and maintain excellent service delivery levels year over year.
Forbes-Hewlett runs Fleet Manager. See pricing, or get a demo.
Forbes-Hewlett Transport has been providing flexible, comprehensive freight solutions since 1985. The firm has worked hard to develop a great company culture and build a modern fleet with a skilled team of drivers. They believe that every customer deserves to work with a carrier that they can trust to operate safely, deliver on-time, and communicate proactively.
Forbes-Hewlett specializes in cross-border Truckload service to and from select Northeast, Midwest and Southeast states. Their well-maintained fleet and the skilled, experienced transportation professionals who operate them, deliver freight across the border smoothly and efficiently.
Forbes-Hewlett Transport currently operates 100 tractor units and 250 trailers. 80% of their work is dedicated to transborder business to the US, and the remainder of their time is spent making local deliveries and refrigerated haulage across the automotive and FMCG sectors.