Western Freight entered the independent service provider (ISP) space expecting straightforward operations. However, Lacy Gloe, Fleet Manager at Western Freight Logistics Corporation and founder of Gloe Logistics, quickly learned that managing pickup and delivery (P&D) across rural and urban areas required better visibility, standardization, and scalable technology.
Operating out of the Salem, MA terminal, Western Freight provides final mile delivery services and has expanded into linehaul operations. Descartes GroundCloud™ has supported this growth. Lacy had experience operating in the industry for many years, including consulting work through her company, Gloe Logistics, and immediately recognized its value.
“When we tested [Descartes] GroundCloud, I committed fully,” Lacy says. “From my logistics background, I saw it as a stronger tool for drivers and management.”
The Challenge: More Than a Turnkey Operation
When Lacy started out with Western Freight, they expected to get off the ground running, but quickly realized they needed better routing and management tools to scale their operations and retain drivers. It took time for new drivers to learn the routes, and the nuances of each stop.
Training a new driver was taking six to seven months to reach full proficiency, which led to higher turnover, and had the company stuck in a cycle of utilizing under-trained drivers.
Why Descartes GroundCloud: Designed for ISPs
Lacy tested Descartes GroundCloud and was hooked. The platform provides safety, productivity, compliance, and operations, including AI-powered video event data recorders (VEDR), and automated driver training. This brought the essential elements of their operation under one platform, streamlining the workflows for fleet managers, and giving a consistent experience for drivers that supported their development.
“I’ve seen drivers go from zero to 120–140 stops a day in 10 days—something not possible before,” Lacy notes.
The routing capabilities were a big step in reducing onboarding time. Being able to share knowledge across drivers via location updates and stop notes helped to bridge the gap between veteran and rookie drivers. This drastically reduces the time it takes for a new driver to get up to speed and reduces the differential between drivers. As more information is added to a work area, the team can continue to build up efficiency.
Additionally, included driver safety and integrated VEDR support driver development on safety, turning new drivers into true professionals. Drivers receive automated training and coaching through their mobile device as part of their daily workflow—ensuring they stay up to date on the best safety practices and remain compliant with safety regulations.
Results: Faster Training, Better Outcomes
Training time fell from 6-7 months to under 1 month. Success rates rose from 1 in 6–8 hires to 1 in 3. Some drivers reached 120–140 stops per day in 10 days. With turnover being a primary concern, this was a huge revelation for Western.
Using Descartes GroundCloud reduced turnover by making new drivers more successful, and improved operations by having a better and more dedicated team. This not only made their day-to-day operations more consistent, but also supported their long-term growth goals.
Conclusion: Descartes GroundCloud
Throughout her experience with Western Freight and Gloe Logistics, Descartes GroundCloud has remained a central part of Lacy’s operations. As the industry continues to evolve, like Network 2.0 adding time-definite package volume, solutions that help ISPs operateefficiently are becoming more important than ever.
“Software like this is essential for Network 2.0,” she says.
Lacy’s experience shows how having a robust platform to support key operational elements helps to improve business and address key challenges ISPs face. It is vital to support your team by connecting them to stop, routing, and safety information that helps them get up to speed and be successful.
Want to see how Descartes GroundCloud can support your operation? Connect with us for a walkthrough of the platform.
