TNT Logistics North America, a provider of supply chain services to the automotive industry, has reached an agreement with CSX Transportation to crossdock vehicle parts at TNT’s Rail Logistics Center (RLC) in Toledo, Ohio. These parts, primarily catalytic converters and other exhaust system components, are destined for the Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Louisville, Ky.
Product arrives at the RLC in truckload quantities from Visteon Corp. There the products are crossdocked to CSX railcars and put on a dedicated CSX parts train for the Louisville manufacturing plant. Prior to implementing this crossdock solution, parts were shipped from Visteon’s plant in Monroe, Mich., via rail direct to destination at Ford in Louisville.
“This crossdock should reduce transit times by more than two days,” said Patrick Jolley, RLC contract manager, TNT Logistics North America. “This is an excellent example where multiple modes of transportation can be integrated to create a reduction in transit times where a single mode was previously used.”
The TNT Logistics Rail Logistics Center opened in 2002 to manage the transportation and transfer of automotive parts and general merchandise shipments between rail cars and trucks. The 27,000-square-foot facility can accommodate six 60-foot or three 83-foot railcars simultaneously as well as 74 truck trailers. The RLC is designed to handle up to 6,000 rail cars and more than 20,000 truckloads annually.
Visteon Corp. is a full-service supplier that delivers consumer-driven technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide and through multiple channels within the global automotive aftermarket. Visteon has a global delivery system of more than 200 technical, manufacturing, sales and service facilities located in 25 countries.
CSX Corp. (CSX), based in Jacksonville, Fla., owns the largest rail network in the eastern United States. CSX Transportation provides rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX also provides intermodal and global container terminal operations through other subsidiaries.
Ford Motor Co. is the world's second-largest automaker, was incorporated on June 16, 1903, by Henry Ford and several partners, and began business with capital of $28,000. From its humble beginnings in a converted Detroit wagon shop, Ford grew to put the world on wheels with the Model T. Today, it operates a global network of manufacturing plants and dealerships in more than 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, Aston Martin and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Hertz and Quality Care.
TNT Logistics North America is a business unit of TNT Logistics, which provides a wide range of supply chain logistics services for key market sectors. TNT Logistics operates in 36 countries, managing more than 76 million square feet of warehouse space.
For more information, visit www.tntlogistics.us.
