Name: TNT Logistics North America  

        Address: 10751 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 200                 

City: Jacksonville, FL   

Group Managing Director:  David Kulik

Product: Logistics Phone: 888-564-4789   

Year Founded: 1985    

      TNT Logistics, a leading provider of supply chain logistics services and the largest provider of third-party logistics services to the automotive sector, has launched an initiative to develop the use of RFID technology as part of its logistics solution offered to automotive manufacturers. Eventually this initiative, based on several pilots, will lead to industry solutions for all parts of the automotive supply chain.

      “Our goal is to contribute to the success of our customers by embracing new technology and developing innovative, value-added services,” said Terry McIntyre, corporate technology services manager, TNT Logistics North America. There are no industry-based RFID automotive mandates today as in retail with Wal-Mart. While the auto industry has been using RFID successfully in production processes for some time, the use of it elsewhere in the supply chain has been slow in coming. That is until now.”

How it works

      The RFID initiative at the Material Sequencing Center (MSC) operated by TNT Logistics for Ford Motor Company supports Ford’s Dearborn truck assembly plant in Dearborn, Mich. The MSC delivers small lot, sequencing and metered parts to line-side at the plant. Prior to the initiative’s outset, the operation was experiencing a series of disconnected electronic and manual processes. And the opportunity for business interruption – including late deliveries, part shortages, misplaced or lost parts – was always present.

      As part of the Ford/TNT initiative, RFID tags and a network of wireless locating sensors, supplied by WhereNet Corp., were set up to provide real-time location and status information for thousands of mobile racks shared between the plant and TNT’s facility. Devices located at dock doors at the MSC trigger the RFID tag to emit a signal when a rack full of parts is loaded onto a truck bound for the plant. Through this automatic data collection process, utilizing TIBCO software solutions, the system confirms the load has been built, and validates that it is in ready-to-ship status. The system can even trigger an advanced shipping notice so that the factory knows what material is en route.

      Additional steps in the initiative include automated gate arrival, load and unload rack validation, rack traceability and real-time location system (RTLS) alerts to improve communications between the MSC and the assembly plant. These business events will be fulfilled using TIBCO complex event processing and real-time visibility software to help prevent interruptions and manual interventions in the automotive supply chain.

      When fully executed, the RFID initiative will provide real-time visibility and a synchronized assembly process to deliver an uninterrupted flow of parts from the material sequencing center to line side at the truck plant. Additionally, the solution will help to automate workflow, reduce inventory and prevent business interruption in the assembly process. In the case of Ford, it will have an active integrated RFID solution that can be deployed around the world at more than 50 manufacturing sites to leverage the capital investment it has made in the WhereNet infrastructure.

WhereNet’s involvement

      “We are excited to add TNT Logistics to our growing ecosystem of automotive supply chain customers who are using our active-RFID based solutions on a daily basis to optimize inbound logistics in support of synchronous material flow,” said Gary Latham, director of industry marketing for WhereNet. “As we expand and continue to add more customer nodes on the network, the value of the network increases as does the collaboration between all supply chain partners who collectively enable more lean, flexible processes.”

      “RFID has the potential to transform the manufacturing and retail industries,” said Ram Menon, senior vice president, TIBCO Software, Inc. “Early adopters like TNT have already witnessed the tangible benefits the technology has to offer for simplifying operational efficiency. Leveraging TIBCO’s next-generation active RFID technology, businesses today are capable of fulfilling perfect orders with utmost accuracy and deliver on customers’ expectations and need for real-time information.”

      TNT Logistics North America is a business unit of TNT Logistics, a leading global logistics provider. TNT designs, implements and operates complex supply chain solutions on a national, regional or global scale for medium to large enterprises. Through its freight forwarding unit, TNT provides air and sea freight services within an international network. TNT exploits technology to achieve optimization, integration and visibility throughout the supply chain. The company focuses on a diverse range of market sectors including automotive, tires, general industry, fast moving consumer goods/retail, rail and utilities.

      TNT Logistics employs 40,000 people, who are operating in 40 countries, managing over 91 million square feet of warehouse space. In 2004, TNT Logistics reported sales of $5.38 billion.

TNT award

      TNT Logistics, a leading provider of supply chain services, has again been selected a Top 10 logistics provider by the 200,000 readers of Inbound Logistics.

      Published in New York, Inbound Logistics has been conducting its 3PL Excellence Awards since 1992. Publisher Keith Biondo said more than 3000 votes were received for some 300 companies who were nominated for the recognition. Voting was open from December 2004 to June 2005.

      Commentary provided by the shippers that were nominating their preferred third-party logistics providers weighed heavily in the voting. For example, “The TNT team has dedicated themselves to providing customized services tailored for our dealers’ requirements.  Their management is totally committed to the partnership and demonstrates outstanding flexibility and readiness in addressing our needs,” said Paul Ferrari, parts center manager, parts division, American Honda Motor Company.

      “We’re pleased that our customers feel so strongly about our relationship that they would take the time to nominate us for this award,” a company spokesman said. “It’s gratifying to know that our customers see the value in the services we provide for them and are willing to share those thoughts with others.”