Sitmatic's long-standing partnership with FPT highlights the importance of reliability and effective communication in Freight Management
Q: Can you provide an overview of Sitmatic and your business?
Sure. We're a chair manufacturer specializing in ergonomic chairs.
We do a lot of business with counties, medical facilities, schools, and smaller-scale stadium seating for colleges.
We've worked with sports teams like Baylor and Arizona State for their training facilities and film rooms. About 15% of our business is in this sector.
We offer a lifetime warranty on all non-moving components and a 10-year warranty on everything else.
Q: What does your logistics operations consist of?
We do a lot of local shipping, using blanket wrap shipping and LTL.
We handle between 5 to 10 shipments a day, rarely a full truckload unless it's a massive project.
I'll get quotes from Kevin at FPT (FP Transport LLC) and other brokers for anything over six pallets. That's pretty much it in a nutshell.
Q: How does logistics impact business outcomes and customer satisfaction?
When everything goes well, it's just what people expect.
Our goal is to promptly meet customer needs. Recently, a customer needed 11 chairs shipped to Hawaii the next day. We had a few hours to get them to Compton first for a boat transfer the next day.
This effort keeps customers satisfied and gives us a competitive edge.
Q: What frustrations do you encounter with other logistics companies? Communication is a major issue. Some companies tell us what they think we want to hear instead of the truth, which can cost us money and time.
Once, we had a shipment to Manhattan, an already expensive area. We flew out six guys from our factory and hired another eight temps to help with unloading and installation.
The trucking company kept assuring us the driver was an hour away - by the end of the day, we discovered the truck was still in Texas.
This meant we had to put everyone up in hotels for two more days, which was costly.
This experience highlighted the importance of honest communication. Thankfully, we've never had such issues with FPT (FP TRANSPORT LLC).
Q: Where does technology fit into your logistics operations?
Technology is crucial for getting quotes, creating paperwork, scheduling pickups, and tracking shipments.
Q: When evaluating logistics partners, what key attributes do you look for?
Reliability and pricing are crucial. I've been here for over 25 years, so I've learned which carriers to avoid due to reliability issues.
Some 3PLs offer cheaper rates but don't meet their transit times, leading to customer frustration. FPT (FP TRANSPORT LLC) has been reliable, providing timely and cost-effective service.
Q: When did Kevin and the team at FPT (FP TRANSPORT LLC) come into your lives, and can you share some experiences?
We've been in Fullerton for 20 years and have used FPT (FP TRANSPORT LLC) since moving here. They provide reliable service and their drivers are usually on point.
Of course, in trucking, occasional issues happen, but FPT (FP TRANSPORT LLC) always addresses them proactively.
Kevin and Ryan are very responsive; I usually get a reply within minutes. They go the extra mile to ensure everything is handled correctly, even when problems arise. Their commitment to making things work and their excellent communication set them apart.