TNT Logistics begins another innings with Ford
After having a stint with Ford Motor Company’s F-series truck manufacturing plant in Kansas City, TNT Logistics North America has renewed the lapsed contract between the two. TNT is a leading provider of supply chain services to the automotive industry and the renewed contract is going to provide logistics services to Ford. Since 2002, TNT has provided for the delivery and sequencing of parts going into this assembly plant. The contract extension would further their relationship till 2009.
TNT provides Ford sequencing and transportation from three facilities encompassing more than 200,000 square feet of warehouse space. In addition to the F-series business, TNT supports the U204 Program – the Ford Escape as well as the Mercury Mariner.
TNT plays a vital role in providing assistance to Ford’s flexible manufacturing production. Hence, TNT’s services for Ford would allow it a steady flow of material in correct build order to the plant to support lean concepts within the plant. Also, the best possible thing for both the company is that there is a set understanding between the two companies, which reduces any confrontational situation in future. But the contract period has been reduced to three years indicating TNT’s reservations.
TNT is boasting its steady material flow inbound and critical return rack processes outbound back to the suppliers. How right is the perfect right? The company develops specific pack-outs (load plans) for the efficient transportation of the material. It also sequences to both live broadcast and ILVS (In-Live Vehicle Sequence) to allow Ford to maintain its high service quality while utilizing a smaller footprint of line side materials. Then, we should probably not doubt TNT’s intentions to do some good to Ford, but skeptics would utter skepticism nonetheless.
Subscribe to the comments for this post