Across industries, timely deliveries are counted on to keep manufacturing humming along. Without a steady flow of components, supplies, equipment, and replacement parts, production slowdowns equal shipment delays, lost revenue, and other direct and indirect costs.
The effects are even more pronounced when it comes to lean or “just-in-time” (JIT) strategies, in which companies keep inventory to a bare minimum in order to run more efficiently and profitably. The concept dates back to the 1950s and the Toyota Production System — still a gold standard today — which was in turn inspired by Henry Ford’s mass production marvel of 100 years ago.
With inventory levels set to lean, late deliveries can cause an immediate halt to production, leading to labor costs (paying idled workers), missed deadlines, and contract penalties. The alternate model of “just-in-case” inventory management was much in use in the wake of the pandemic, when companies fearful of supply chain disruption kept higher reserve levels. It was also true ahead of the U.S. tariffs now taking effect, with massive inventory front-loading to mitigate higher import costs.
In high-stakes industries like automotive and aerospace, JIT delays trigger cascading disruptions — making reliable, on-time deliveries critical to success. Other industries that rely heavily on JIT include medical and pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, retail, and e-commerce.
Partnering with an experienced 3PL that provides reliable expedited freight along with 24/7 support helps prevent production downtime with its associated headaches and costs.
The High Cost of ‘Line-Down’ Events
In the first place, line-down events mean lost production hours, including the cost of paying idle workers and the hit to the schedule.
Financial losses include missed deadlines and deliveries and penalties from customers for breach of contract. The delicate balance of JIT inventory is disrupted, and the production restart means higher costs from double shifts and overtime to make up the shortfall.
A 2024 report from Aberdeen Research found 82% of companies surveyed experienced unplanned downtime since 2021, with costs as high as $260,000 an hour! Aerospace, automotive, and electronics were among the hardest hit in terms of economic impact.
This is why it makes good business sense to take a proactive approach and implement a strong expedited transportation strategy that has 24/7 support built in. A reliable 3PL solutions provider can help you not only develop a plan but execute against it.
Why 24/7 Support is Critical
While not true in every case, manufacturing often runs around the clock. Companies use overnight shifts, especially in high demand periods. Even if they don’t, they’re still often dependent on a global supply chain that sources goods across time zones, talk of nearshoring and reshoring notwithstanding.
Events outside of your control — extreme weather, mechanical failures, customs holds, etc. — don’t follow normal business hours. That’s where 24/7 freight support comes into play. It’s not just a matter of providing an array of expedited shipping options (overnight, same-day, hotshot services) but making them accessible at all times.
Key Features of ‘Always On’ Freight Support
A 24/7 logistics team at your 3PL partner can use a variety of technology tools to identify potential delays proactively and put solutions in place before they lead to production downtime.
Real-Time Shipment Tracking
By leveraging TMS and other real-time tracking tools, a 3PL provides immediate visibility into freight movements, anticipating delays in order to activate contingency plans. Customized alerts set to parameters you determine keep you up to speed on critical shipment status.
Expedited and Alternative Shipping Solutions
This includes expedited air, dedicated trucks, and rerouting options to minimize disruptions. A 3PL’s flexibility and broad carrier network across modes and lanes can significantly reduce the risk of an expedited shipment failure turning into a line-down event.
Proactive Exception Management
With 24/7 monitoring and tracking, logistics experts are enabled to quickly identify and resolve disruptions before they impact production. Through proactive exceptions management — whether due to delays, weather, or carrier issues — your JIT shipments stay on track, preventing line-down scenarios and maintaining supply chain efficiency.
Dedicated Logistics Support Teams
A dedicated 3PL team is on call to coordinate emergency shipments, reroute freight, and secure backup carriers if needed. This helps you avoid shutdowns and meet tight JIT schedules without disruption.
The Competitive Advantage of Always-On Logistics
The real-time visibility enabled by 24/7 freight support lets receiving teams prepare in advance for critical incoming shipments, making unloading, storing, and cross-docking as efficient as possible. Delays are minimized and resources are optimized, improving supply chain efficiency.
Better on-time delivery rates and cost savings are two main benefits of 24/7 support in expedited transportation. Greater logistics precision powered by real-time analytics reduces the risk of missed deadlines, penalties, and rescheduling fees.
Companies that invest in this kind of around-the-clock availability, flexibility, and expertise on call gain a competitive edge by being able to pivot quickly when conditions head south. This ensures greater reliability for customers and a more resilient supply chain.
A Fine-Tuned JIT Process Demands Precision Logistics
When done correctly, JIT manufacturing delivers significant benefits in terms of lower inventory costs, better quality control, and streamlined processes. But synching delivery and production schedules, especially when heavy reliance on expedited freight is involved, requires tight coordination between teams.
An experienced, tech-focused logistics partner that offers around-the-clock availability, real-time communication, and solid tactical support helps you safeguard against costly production hiccups.
COGISTICS Transportation, a leading provider of 3PL solutions, has an integrated network, advanced technology, and 24/7 on-demand expertise that powers expedited shipments. COGISTICS Transportation provides a comprehensive range of logistics services across land, air, and ocean freight operations. We have the experience and network bandwidth to execute your transportation plan with a high degree of visibility and efficiency. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can support your JIT operations.
