Sequence Parts Delivery for Major OEM’s Assembly Plant

A Tier One Automotive Supplier assembles and ships to an OEM’s assembly plant in metro Detroit area the front and rear cradle modules for two vehicle models. The cradles have over 120 parts from 30 suppliers located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Due to the complexity of the cradles and the physical constraints of the assembly plant. The OEM requires that the cradles be delivered at specific docks Just-In-Time (JIT) and in build sequence to maintain build flexibility and reduce complexity.

Sequential Parts Delivery (SPD) is the process of delivering automotive parts to an assembly plant in the exact in which the vehicles that need them are being assembled on the production line. It is the ultimate realization of Just-In-Time (JIT) objectives of zero inventory, zero defects and zero waste. Complex and integrated communications between suppliers, such as Electronic-Data-Interchange (EDI) are utilized to synchronize the entire supply chain for each build. Within SPD not only is the parts manufacturer’s timing important but the actual delivery must be on time to achieve SPD’s maximum potential of zero inventory, zero defect and zero waste.

Logos achieved the OEM’s SPD shuttle requirements through many tools. One of those tools that Logos utilizes is Telenav. Telenav allows Logos to track each truck in real-time through satellite GPS that is communicated directly to Logos headquarters. The system alerts Logos if there are new traffic conditions, if a driver is off course and even if the driver is speeding. All of these control functions allows Logos to ensure that each delivery is made at the right place and at the precise time the parts are needed.

Another tool that allows Logos to surpass the OEM’s SPD shuttle requirements is the use of specialized drop deck trailers. Logos customized the trailers solely for the purpose of hauling the cradle modules allowing for maximum trailer capacity. This in turn reduced the OEM’s risk as it reduced frequency, trucks, manpower and cost. We, at Logos, provide consistent and dependable shuttle service for our clients who have high-volume, high-risk Sequence-Parts-Delivery (SPD) shuttle needs.