FourKites announced that it has been selected as the exclusive partner and supplier of visibility data for Frozen Food Express (FFE), the largest asset-based, temperature-controlled LTL carrier in the United States. As a member of the world’s largest network of shippers and their carrier and 3PL partners, FFE will take advantage of FourKites’ real-time predictive visibility data for its in-transit loads, and provide its customers with invaluable insights that improve traceability, efficiency and accuracy throughout its supply chain.
FourKites combines real-time LTL shipment information from electronic logging devices (ELDs) and trailer tracking, and pulls in LTL service center information, along with truck-specific traffic, weather, temperature and more than 150 additional data points to provide granular, real-time visibility throughout the lifetime of FFE’s active loads. By synthesizing all of these data points into one centralized dashboard, FFE is able to streamline communication between customer service and proactively manage service center disruptions, thereby delivering improved on-time performance, reduced dwell times and superior customer experience.
The unique partnership between FFE and FourKites enables both parties to jointly meet the expectations of mutual customers. By providing a custom, data-driven "digital twin" of their entire LTL network, FFE is able to differentiate its transportation services with smart-forecasted, predictive ETAs driven by cutting-edge machine learning techniques, which enable it to enhance the customer experience and prevent service center disruptions long before they occur. FFE will also leverage FourKites’ Temperature Tracking solution to minimize spoilage throughout the lifetime of its temperature-controlled shipments. By automatically triggering an alert as soon as a load’s temperature falls outside a predefined range, FFE will be able to take early action to remedy potential temperature issues before jeopardizing safety or freshness, while reducing loss, food waste and ensuring FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) Compliance.
“We’re managing more than 400,000 active, temperature-controlled loads annually. To continue to be a trusted partner, we needed cutting-edge technology to help us better manage and measure our performance,” said Nick Cook, CIO and Vice President of Operations for Frozen Food Express. “FourKites enables us to identify and mitigate inefficient processes, unexpected delays, equipment failures and more as they occur. Now, we’re able to troubleshoot the loads that are predicted to be late, rather than focusing man-hours on shipments that we know will deliver on time.”
“LTL shippers around the world are adopting FourKites’ platform, and we are honored that FFE selected us to meet their unique challenges with hauling dual-temperature refrigerated loads,” said Craig Fiander, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development for FourKites. “End-to-end visibility has never been more important for carriers to stay one step ahead of the competition, and real-time temperature monitoring is a crucial piece of delivering superior customer service to the world’s largest shippers. The driving value is in keeping both sides on the same page for on-time performance criteria, reduced disputes and fines, and proactive transportation management.”
FFE also uses FourKites Insights, an advanced supply chain analytics product, to improve operational efficiency and oversight, as evidenced by their recent inclusion on FourKites' Premier Carrier List.
