Customer Name and Operation Location
Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
Emigsville, PA

Customer Overview
Graham Packaging Company, headquartered in York, PA, is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of customized blow molded plastic containers for the branded food and beverage, household and personal care, and automotive lubricants markets with 57 plants throughout North America, Europe, and Latin America.

The Opportunity
Graham’s Emigsville, PA bottle manufacturing plant had been utilizing the services of a third party to provide a spotting service to move carriers’ trailers at the plant, and a shuttle service, moving loaded and empty trailers between the plant and two nearby warehouses. Storage space at the plant is very limited, so it is critical to keep materials moving into the plant, and bottles moving out onto trailers or into temporary storage at the warehouses. This is a juggling act that requires smooth coordination between the plant, the spotting / shuttle service provider and the warehouses.
Graham sought improvement in the following areas:
• Communication between the plant and the operational management team at the provider
• Responsiveness to problems and requests
• Competitive rate, with no hidden charges
• Newer equipment
• Committed level of equipment
• Cooperative, professional, hard working drivers
The shuttle and spotting service operates year round, with few exceptions.

The Solution
Graham selected Carlisle Logistics Services (CLS) as their partner provider to take over the spotting / shuttle operation and institute the improvements identified above.

CLS interviewed, selected, and hired drivers deemed capable of meeting the demands of a fast-paced workload and the 4 days-on, 4 days-off schedule. Just as important was the willingness to understand the critical nature of their role to the efficient operation of the plant, and ability to work well with others in a high pressure operation.

To improve on the previous situation where equipment breakdowns and shortages were having a disruptive effect on the daily work flow, CLS purchased a new yard tractor and replaced a less-than adequate trailer pool with more, newer trailers, as required to meet Graham’s needs.

The Results
The management at Graham is very pleased with the solution provided by CLS. Their Warehouse / Shipping Manager, who led the initiative to make the change, says that the high quality of the drivers, and the proactive approach and responsiveness of CLS’ management, have caused significant improvement in the level of service provided, allowing for increased productivity and smoother operation of this “conveyor belt on wheels”.

The spirit of cooperation is evident in quarterly performance review meetings that include management from both companies, shift supervisors and drivers. The open discussion covers the entire operation and consistently identifies improvements that either or both companies can make to existing facilities, processes, and/or equipment.

http://www.grahampackaging.com