While a logistics provider’s technology remains important, the ease of doing business with a logistics company and its information technology (IT) group is also important. “That’s critical,” McCall says. A primary reason VEKA chose Sunset was the ability to establish direct contact between the IT heads of the two companies. VEKA also evaluated potential partners’ cost structures and transparency. Especially as the freight market shifts and rates uctuate, it’s important that logistics providers share relevant information. “Dyan McCall managed and led a smart selection process,” says Tracy Meetre, chief commercial of cer with Sunset Transportation. She understands the logistics provider space and was an informed buyer, Meetre adds. IMMEDIATE AND FUTURE NEEDS Throughout the RFP process, VEKA and Sunset discussed issues of immediate concern, as well as those likely to become more signi cant in the future, Meetre says. For example, knowing that VEKA’s global headquarters are in Germany, the Sunset team outlined its international logistics capabilities. When the VEKA team visited Sunset’s operations center, members met with Sunset’s director of international business. “We made sure that we talked about all the different capabilities that we have,” Meetre says. McCall and her colleagues also met with the director of Sunset’s oversized project group. If Sunset eventually moves large machinery for VEKA, they’ll have a solid idea of the requirements from the get-go. Shippers evaluating logistics providers should ensure they’re aligning with a partner that can handle any kind of shipment or logistical need likely to arise as the company evolves, Meetre advises. For example, during the pandemic, VEKA had to ramp up its warehousing capacity to work around bottlenecks in the supply chains of raw materials, McCall says. However, the company’s 3PL at the time couldn’t support its need for additional capacity. With Sunset, VEKA is evaluating several warehouse locations. As its need for additional capacity arises, VEKA will be able to move quickly, McCall says.
CASEBOOK STUDY Logistics Overhaul Creates A Clear View Ahead THE CHALLENGES VEKA’s previous logistics partner shifted to largely automated processes, leading to mistakes and delays in shipping, missing trucks, inconsistent communication, and operational ineciencies. THE SOLUTION The team at VEKA issued a request for proposal, seeking a new logistics partner. Sunset Transportation earned the nod, based largely on its focus on customer and carrier relationships, transparency, and open communication. THE RESULTS Among other benefits, VEKA reduced its claims ratio to less than 1%, while boosting on-time deliveries to 98.7%, enhancing customer satisfaction. Most orders move through without manual intervention and VEKA no longer has to dedicate time and resources to searching for missing trucks. NEXT STEPS VEKA and Sunset will continue working together to further strengthen customer relationships, boost eciency, and remain ahead of the market’s changing needs. Among other initiatives, they’ll work to enhance the shipping process for VEKA suppliers.
By partnering with Sunset Transportation, VEKA is able to move quickly as its need for additional warehousing capacity arises.
176 Inbound Logistics • July 2025
Powered by FlippingBook