area is essential. “We’re in a 24-hour industry,” Cox says. Partnering with a quality broker that can support its clients around the clock cuts the chance of border mistakes and delays, he adds. These providers can help shippers navigate trade across North America.
distribution, warehousing, and other transportation and logistics services. Shippers also can choose from flatbeds, less-than-truckload and full truckload, and dedicated transport, among other options, as well as brokerage, warehousing, cross-docking, and other services. “We can act like a one-stop shop,” Crisan says. All trucks are outfitted with live tracking technology, providing clients with visibility into the movement of their shipments. They also can assess performance through reporting and analysis. BUILDING CROSS-BORDER EXPERTISE Since its earliest days as a company, ANDY has been handling cross- border shipments. “We’re experts on the processes and requirements, and well equipped to manage cross-border shipments, so there are no delays,” she says. Because of its commitment and responsiveness to its clients, ANDY earned all the transportation business of one of its clients, in a dedicated contract arrangement. “We’ve become this company’s outsourced, dedicated private fleet,” Crisan says. For this company, ANDY provides planning, cross-docking, and daily deliveries and other services.
It’s an important and challenging role, and ANDY is more than up to the task. Because the client ships every day, its customers can place orders until late afternoon, and be confident their products will be shipped the next day. “That’s our client’s promise to its customers, and our partnership makes us a very integral part of that promise,” Crisan says. Through the dedicated contract arrangement, the client gains quality service, predictability, and cost savings, she adds. To achieve these benefits, ANDY worked with the company to truly understand its needs, and then tailored its services to meet them. “It’s a true partnership, and we’re working together to provide the services that can help our client achieve its objectives,” Crisan says. POLARIS TRANSPORTATION GROUP: CUSTOMER-FOCUSED LOGISTICS SPECIALISTS Over the past three decades Polaris, one of the largest privately held Canadian LTL carriers, has moved 6 million shipments between Canada and the United States. “At Polaris, our principal activity is quick, transparent, cross- border transportation,” Cox says. To ensure it can continue providing this, Polaris has cultivated an in-depth
ANDY: HIGH STANDARDS AND CUSTOMIZED SERVICES
From its start with a single, burgundy- colored delivery truck, ANDY has grown into one of the 250 largest fleets in North America, as well as one of the fastest- growing companies in Canada. It also holds the distinction of being one of a handful of women- owned companies in the supply chain and transportation sector. “We try to empower women and place them in pivotal roles where they’re decision makers,” Crisan says. At the same time, the men who are part of ANDY also contribute to its success. “Great men work here as well,” Crisan says. “It’s a diverse place. Our success boils down to our company culture.” The culture has helped fuel ANDY’s tremendous growth since its start in 2001. That’s when Crisan and her father, Ilie Crisan, emigrated from Romania to Canada. A former bus driver, the older Crisan tried to find a job as a truck driver in Canada but was unable to. With savings running low, he purchased his own truck and got to work. “That’s how it started,” Crisan says. Then 11 years old, Andreea Crisan has been key to ANDY’s growth. Among other responsibilities, she helped her father translate documents. “I grew in parallel with the company and so did my responsibilities,” she says. ANDY now operates out of 15 locations across Canada, including eight terminals that are CTPAT and PIP certified, as well as a fleet of about 300 trucks and 800 trailers. Its clients range from industrial and natural resource firms to retailers and manufacturers, and they can choose from drayage, transportation, logistics,
Along with its cross-border service, Polaris Transportation Group offers third-party logistics, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain management services.
72 Inbound Logistics • April 2024
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