CUSTOMER PROFILE

Heavy-Duty Freight Needs, Nationwide Scale

Our client is a national manufacturer of safety, lifting, and rigging equipment, operating across multiple Australian locations. With a freight profile that includes cartons, skids, and break bulk pallets, they manage a high volume of stock transfers between branches and B2B deliveries. Their operations require complex coordination, with time-sensitive pallet movements and carton freight being dispatched nationwide.

While the business maintained a centralised team structure, day-to-day freight management had become a growing operational strain, impacting both internal efficiency and cost control.

Before partnering with CFS, the business faced growing inefficiencies across freight operations. Limited system support, poor cost recovery, and minimal visibility left their internal team juggling manual reconciliations, outdated rate cards, and frequent service issues. Their high-volume pallet and carton freight lacked structure, control, and reliable cost tracking. Without a centralised strategy or integrated systems, delays, admin burden, and billing discrepancies were common, ultimately driving up costs and slowing performance across their national network.

Limited Support & No Visibility
Their previous freight system lacked transparency and provided minimal support. Tracking freight was manual and time-consuming, with no real-time visibility.

Unclear Charges & Poor Cost Recovery
Carrier invoices were inconsistent, and quotes didn’t include critical surcharges like manual handling or overlength fees, making cost recovery nearly impossible.

• High Admin Burden
  Internal teams were juggling carrier communication, rate card updates, and reconciliations—diverting focus from more strategic work.
  
  No Backup Carrier Options
  Relying on limited carriers created gaps during peak periods or service issues, leaving the business vulnerable to delays and reactive decision-making.
  
  System Limitations
  

  Their existing platform lacked customisation and wasn’t integrated with their ERP system, creating a disconnect between freight operations and internal processes. These limitations resulted in lost time, missed savings, and a freight function that was reactive rather than strategic.

CFS delivered a fully managed freight solution tailored to the client’s complex, high-volume operations. By centralising booking, improving quoting transparency, and integrating seamlessly with their ERP system, we transformed freight from a manual, reactive process into a streamlined, data-driven function. With dedicated support and access to optimised carrier options, the client now operates with clarity, control, and confidence across their national freight network.

Centralised Booking & Tracking
All freight movements are now managed through a single, streamlined platform. With real-time tracking and end-to-end visibility, the client’s team can monitor consignments across all locations, reduce delays, and proactively manage exceptions. This centralised approach has simplified freight coordination across their national network and improved service reliability for both internal teams and external customers.

Transparent Quoting & Invoicing
Relevant surcharges are now captured in the quoting process upfront, eliminating hidden costs and significantly reducing billing disputes. By aligning quotes with actual charges, the client now benefits from simplified reconciliation, improved cost recovery, and greater confidence in freight spend accuracy. The result is cleaner, more transparent invoicing, improved forecasting, and fewer escalations across the business.

Full-Service Support
CFS absorbed full responsibility for carrier communication, claims, and issue resolution—removing this time-consuming burden from the client’s internal team. Our responsive support structure ensures any delivery concerns are addressed promptly, without the client needing to chase multiple carriers. This has improved team productivity and allowed staff to focus on high-value tasks rather than freight admin.

ERP Integration
Instead of routing customer delivery queries through their internal warehouse team, our team became their direct point of contact. This significantly reduced operational noise and freed up the warehouse to focus on dispatch, while improving response times and service clarity across their business.

Carrier Optimisation
We introduced a broader and more strategic carrier network tailored to the client’s freight profile. By replacing underperforming providers and offering access to more economical options—including backup carriers for seasonal peaks and service outages—we improved reliability and reduced transit times. The client now has the flexibility to adapt their freight strategy to changing conditions without compromising on cost or service quality.

• 
  10–15% Reduction in Freight Spend
  Through carrier optimisation, quoting accuracy, and the elimination of hidden charges, the client has achieved a consistent 10–15% reduction in freight costs—particularly across palletised freight. These savings were achieved without compromising on service quality or delivery times.
• 
  Internal Cost Savings Through Admin Efficiency
  By shifting carrier communication, billing and issue resolution to CFS, the client’s internal team dramatically reduced time spent on freight admin. Tasks that once took hours have been streamlined or eliminated entirely, freeing up staff to focus on higher-value responsibilities.
  
  Faster and More Accurate Cost Recovery
  With upfront quoting that includes all relevant surcharges, the client now experiences far fewer billing discrepancies. Reconciliation is quicker and easier, allowing the finance team to recover costs promptly and maintain clean, predictable invoicing cycles with improved forecasting.
  
  Improved Reliability and Transit Times
  Access to a broader and more flexible carrier base has improved delivery performance across the board. Backup carriers are available to cover peak periods, service disruptions, or route-specific challenges, giving the client greater agility and confidence in their delivery timelines.
  
  Centralised Visibility and Operational Control
  With all freight managed in one platform, the client now enjoys real-time tracking across all freight types and locations. This centralised visibility enables faster internal response times, better customer service, and proactive management of any delivery issues before they escalate.
  
  Seamless ERP Integration for Data Accuracy and Automation
  The fully integrated API between CFS and the client’s ERP system has reduced manual data handling and ensured alignment across operations and finance. This integration has improved reporting accuracy, eliminated duplicate entry, and created a more connected, automated workflow across departments.