CASE STUDY

Simplifying Freight B2B Logistics With a New Shipping Partner

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Learn How Worldwide Express helped ADA Enterprises cut freight costs and increase shipping efficiency.

Summary

ADA Enterprises partnered with 3PL provider Worldwide Express to streamline their shipping operations with a personalized solution while keeping costs and complexities under control. With dedicated account support and a sophisticated transportation management system (TMS), ADA achieved better claims resolution and gained control of invoicing and billing.

ADA Enterprises is an Iowa-based manufacturer of plastic-coated steel products and has been in business for nearly 50 years. Their primary operation makes innovative "Dura Trac" flooring for farm animals, designed to keep animals dry, comfortable and safe from injuries that can occur with other types of flooring. They also sell outdoor furniture and seating, which is one of the fastest-growing areas of their business.

The company primarily ships less-than-truckload (LTL) and some truckload (TL) within the U.S. — especially the Midwest — and ships into Canada as well.

In 2020, ADA was working with multiple shipping carriers simultaneously and grew frustrated with the task of managing a busy shipping operation, including dealing with multiple carriers at once for freight shipping and trying to control shipping costs. They had difficulty keeping track of billing and invoices, with multiple invoices arriving for the same shipment, often with extra charges added on. Unresolved claims also became an obstacle and drain on time and resources.

ADA decided to partner with Worldwide Express, a third-party logistics provider (3PL) that uses its expertise and decades of experience to design shipping strategies that address the unique shipping challenges of each customer. Worldwide Express provided customized shipping solutions that addressed issues surrounding quotes, billing, invoicing, claims, pickups and other tedious — yet extremely important — shipping tasks.

Challenge 1: Carrier Communication and Cost Control

An ADA Enterprises blue semi-truck with a white trailer drives on a rural road bordered by green fields and trees under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing reliable B2B logistics.

Shipper Challenge

ADA was working with multiple freight carriers concurrently instead of outsourcing and consolidating much of their shipping through a 3PL. This resulted in perplexing and often erroneous invoices, along with poor communication and coordination for pickups and special delivery needs. Resolving these issues put a strain on ADA's business and employees.

Worldwide Express Solution

By leveraging Worldwide Express and its extensive carrier relationships and industry expertise, ADA was able to dramatically reduce the dysfunction in its shipping operations. In particular, they were able to streamline invoicing, coordinate carrier pickups and track delivery through the Worldwide Express transportation management system (TMS).

Challenge 2: Clear, Accurate Quotes and Billing

Shipper Challenge

ADA would often receive multiple bills from carriers for the same shipment. The duplicate bills would sometimes have additional charges for liftgates and other accessorial items that they did not utilize.

Worldwide Express Solution

By partnering with Worldwide Express, ADA has seen a 95% quote-to-bill accuracy through the TMS, greatly reducing surprises on invoices. This enabled them to have a much more predictable shipping budget for their business and track the actual cost of the shipment as well.

"Before Worldwide Express, it was hard for us to keep control of our shipping costs. It was a financial nightmare. We have definitely experienced savings after working with Worldwide Express."

— Heather Welch, Accounting Manager at ADA Enterprises

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Challenge 3: Dedicated Shipping Support

Several blue semi-trucks with white refrigerated trailers, part of ADA Enterprises' B2B logistics fleet, are parked in a row outside a large warehouse building on a paved lot.

Shipper Challenge

With previous carriers, ADA received limited support to resolve issues that arose such as shipment pickups.

Worldwide Express Solution

When they switched to Worldwide Express, ADA was assigned a dedicated account team that provided support for both minor and escalated matters. Now, within SpeedShip® TMS they can access hands-on, 24/7/365 assistance for any shipping challenge. In addition, Worldwide Express provided personalized solutions to fit their business needs that are cost-effective and focused on getting their shipments to their destination on time.

"I can't say enough about how much everyone at Worldwide Express has helped us in different situations with shipments and carriers. I know that when I reach out to anyone in customer service or team leadership at Worldwide Express that they are going to help us in whatever way they can."

— Jennifer Willand, Customer Service Representative with ADA

A pair of large, blue-outlined quotation marks on a light gray background, symbolizing clear communication in refrigerated logistics and freight solutions.

Challenge 4: Claims Resolution Efficiency

Shipper Challenge

Despite a proactive approach to claims prevention and processing — which included taking photos of every shipment before it went out — ADA was having limited success getting claims paid on lost or damaged shipments.

Worldwide Express Solution

After consolidating its freight with Worldwide Express, ADA has seen a 100% success rate in claims payouts from carriers on shipments with noted damage. The company also has received proactive consultation from Worldwide Express shipping experts on improving its freight packing to minimize damage and the necessity for claims.

"When we do have a shipment damaged, it's really nice that it actually gets taken care of. It's been a thorn in our side forever. But with Worldwide Express, we've actually gotten the claims paid."

— Heather Welch, Accounting Manager at ADA Enterprises

A pair of large, blue-outlined quotation marks on a light gray background, symbolizing clear communication in refrigerated logistics and freight solutions.

Key Results

  • Achieved 95% quote-to-bill accuracy
  • Eliminated duplicate and erroneous carrier invoices
  • Reached 100% claims payout success rate
  • Consolidated LTL and TL shipping under one platform
Two men from ADA Enterprises, specializing in B2B logistics, stand in a factory wearing safety helmets and work clothes, examining a tablet. One is in a tie and white helmet; the other wears a dark uniform with an orange helmet and yellow ear protectors.

Partnering to Streamline a Growing B2B Logistics Operation

ADA Enterprises and Worldwide Express have been shipping partners for more than two years, and the successful LTL shipping strategy the two have created shows no sign of slowing down. Together, ADA and Worldwide Express are currently shipping 18 freight shipments each week. As ADA's shipping volume grows, so does its reliance on personalized solutions, streamlined billing and transparent rate quotes from Worldwide Express.

B2B Logistics FAQs

Do you need a shipping partner to streamline your shipping processes?

Worldwide Express has a proven record of providing customized shipping solutions for tens of thousands of shippers of all sizes throughout the country. That includes designing strategies that solve the unique challenges shippers face. As an industry-leading 3PL provider, we maintain a carefully vetted network of 75+ LTL and 45,000+ FTL freight carrier partners, leveraging our relationships with carriers to secure top rates and services for customers.

Discover how Worldwide Express can transform your shipping operations at scale. Reach out for a free consultation today!