Dohrn's Growth Through Advanced Management Technology

Dohrn's expansion demonstrates how an operations plan supported by advanced management technology can significantly enhance efficiency, visibility, and customer service in the less-than-truckload (LTL) network.

Key Takeaways

• Dohrn's tech-driven operations plan improves visibility, cuts administrative time, and boosts customer service across its LTL network.
• Electronic bills of lading (BOLs), proof of delivery (PODs), and dock management systems save time, reduce errors, and enhance freight tracking for shippers.
• Safety and equipment investments have led to an 88% reduction in harsh events and a decrease in fleet age to 4.5 years, improving reliability and efficiency.

Beyond management technology, Dohrn's safety investments have resulted in an 88% reduction in harsh events and a 35% reduction in speeding.

At the start of this year, Pittsburgh-based Pitt Ohio Transportation Group acquired Sutton Transport, aligning with efforts to enhance customer service by increasing shipment density. The integration of Sutton and Dohrn Transfer Company into a single entity allows for the extension of Dohrn's successful use of advanced management technology.

"Our primary focus has been on enabling a seamless customer integration process, driven largely by applying the existing Dohrn technology stack across the Sutton operation," said Alex Gustafson, VP of information systems at Dohrn. "While effectively doubling each company's size, we ensure customers do not lose visibility and have uniform pricing, tendering, and billing processes."

Dohrn Leverages Technology to Streamline LTL Operations and Boost Customer Visibility

Since 2002, Dohrn has relied on FACTS freight management software from Carrier Logistics (CLI), designed for LTL fleets. This software has helped implement process improvements.

"By using automated and integrated solutions for freight management, we're reducing administrative time and costs internally and for our customers," Gustafson explained. "Technology and process improvements drive our success, including bringing on-time service into the upper 90th percentile."

Through electronic BOL capabilities, billing personnel at Dohrn can process an average of 2.7 more bills per hour by eliminating manual data entry. With an average billing time of 2,517 hours per month, this productivity increase means nearly 6,800 additional bills can be completed with the same staff.

Dohrn has also added an electronic POD capability to an integrated driver pickup and delivery mobile solution from Acordex. This system allows drivers to capture signatures on mobile devices and send delivery receipt images to customers, offering a paper-free solution and faster POD visibility for shippers.

For instance, electronic POD processing saves an estimated 30 minutes per day of management time at each terminal by eliminating the need to scan and index delivery receipts. For drivers, it saves about 15 minutes daily previously spent on paperwork during check-in.

Dohrn Departure Reports, an automated CLI capability, provide shippers and consignees with system-generated notifications about freight status via email or text, including a live link for real-time tracking. An accompanying Excel file shows revised ETAs and a live map of the driver's location.

The CLI Dock Management System graphically displays the status of trailers on a customized overlay of each facility, showing dock-door locations. Cross-dock savings were estimated at 16.67% based on early results, improving freight visibility, allowing trailers to be reloaded sooner, and decreasing service failures by eliminating loading errors.

Beyond management technology, Dohrn invests heavily in safety. Dash cameras, predictive analysis software, and coaching programs have led to an 88% reduction in harsh events and a 35% reduction in speeding.

Safety Investments and Modern Equipment Strengthen Pitt Ohio's Growing LTL Network

Equipment investments are regular, with the average age of power equipment now at 4.5 years, down from 16 years in 2014 when Dohrn became part of Pitt Ohio. For customer service, 35% of trailers are liftgate-equipped, and all trailers have tracking systems. Fuel efficiency improvements were achieved with single-axle tractors and automatic tire inflation systems.

Following the Sutton acquisition, the Pitt Ohio Transportation Group, including Pitt Ohio, Dohrn, Ross Express, and US Cargo, is projected to become the 12th largest LTL carrier in the U.S.

"With a growing footprint and increased density, management systems and processes driven by an operations plan are essential," Gustafson emphasized. "Utilizing advanced tools and being a technology leader is how we can improve customer experience by enhancing visibility, efficiency, and reliability throughout their supply chains."