Menlo Worldwide, the third-party logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc., today, April 15, announced the launch of an integrated transportation planning, optimization and management program for Bayer MaterialScience designed to improve performance and variablize costs for its North American Free Trade Agreement transportation operations.
Under the contract, Menlo is teaming with the BMS NAFTA Supply Chain Center’s logistics group to implement a strategic re-engineering program. As program manager for transportation operations, Menlo says it assumes a key role supporting a comprehensive logistics and warehouse optimization effort by BMS intended to bring new efficiencies, cost variablization and improved service to the company’s supply chain.
Menlo’s role includes planning and management of outbound transportation across BMS’ various modes, including rail, air, bulk truck, truckload, less-than-truckload and barge, as well as support for equipment tracking and visibility, freight payment and audit. BMS, based in Pittsburgh, will retain responsibility for procurement of equipment and carrier contracts.
In December, Menlo went live with its operating platform for all LTL and truckload shipments. Bulk truck, bulk rail and barge shipment responsibilities were transitioned in January to Menlo, which now supports shipment planning, routing and management for BMS’ facilities in Newark, Ohio; South Charleston and New Martinsville, W.Va.; Channelview and Baytown, Texas; and Columbus, Ga. As part of the transformation initiative, Menlo also is integrating its Logistics Management System (LMS) with BMS’ SAP platform to enable visibility within BMS’ enterprise resource planning and management system to provide enhanced shipment status, as well as performance metrics for transportation operations.
Menlo says it was selected based on the strength of its platform and capabilities for complex transportation management operations, its relevant experience, demonstrated results with Lean practices and methodologies to reduce waste and increase efficiency, and its approach to structured implementation and solid performance with its transportation management solution.
“Menlo has a consistent record of working effectively and collaboratively with our customers and their key stakeholders in a focused effort to add value to logistics functions,” says Robert L. Bianco Jr., president of Menlo Worldwide Logistics, based in San Mateo, Calif. “We’re proud to welcome Bayer MaterialScience among our top 10 transportation customers, and we look forward to many opportunities to providing great value for BMS and its customers.”
