CalArk Puts the Brakes on Competitive and Economic Pressures
Company Size
200-1,000
Region
- America
Country
- Mexico
- United States
Product
- Manhattan Carrier
- Driver&Load
- Drop&Swap
- Fuel&Route
- Profit Analyzer
Tech Stack
- Real-Time Optimization
- Driver Management Software
- Load Assignment Algorithms
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Fleet Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
Since the mid-1970s, family-owned CalArk International has built a strong reputation for on-time, reliable service as a for-hire truckload carrier. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas with terminals throughout the United States and Mexico, CalArk is a mid-sized company that operates a fleet of 600 trucks, including dry van and refrigerated trailers. The company has maintained its growth and success by recruiting superior employees and leveraging the latest technology. CalArk sought a real-time carrier management solution to automatically optimize driver-to-load assignments in 2004, implementing Manhattan Carrier from Manhattan Associates.
The Challenge
During the recession, larger trucking companies became serious competitors to middle market leaders, such as CalArk, vying for any and all for-hire carrier business. In response, CalArk needed to sharpen its operations to retain market share, maximize driver utilization and maintain profitability, all with a decreased fleet size. Keeping profit margins and service levels up with a reduced fleet wasn’t the only challenge CalArk faced. Larger trucking companies were dipping into the mid-sized market trying to find new freight lanes. Determined to hold on to its customer base, CalArk upgraded to Manhattan Carrier 2010.
The Solution
To meet these competitive challenges, CalArk opted to upgrade Manhattan Carrier. The solution’s 2010 release includes En-Route Assignment (ERA), which combines the matching functionality of the Driver&Load module, and the efficiency evaluation capabilities of Drop&Swap. ERA merges two highly functional Manhattan Carrier modules: Driver&Load helps CalArk dispatchers look at each driver’s load assignment and attributes in real time, and matches specific drivers to the best possible load combinations. Drop&Swap improves the company’s efficiency by evaluating trucks on the road and determining optimal load swaps to eliminate empty miles, improve utilization and protect service. It also helps CalArk identify pending problems or service delays that could occur. In addition to ERA, the company also uses other Manhattan Carrier modules, including Fuel&Route to provide drivers with street-level directions and a fueling plan to reduce the overall cost for fuel, taxes, and tolls, and Profit Analyzer which assesses all factors that impact profitability and provides a P&L statement for every customer and every load.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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