The efficiency of yard operations is often measured in yard moves per hour — a critical KPI that reflects productivity and throughput. An inefficient yard leads to long trailer wait times, sluggish dock loading/unloading, and a ripple effect of delays throughout the supply chain.

This is signifiant, because unplanned downtime in manufacturing can have significant financial repercussions. A study by the Aberdeen Group found that such disruptions can cost manufacturers up to $260,000 per hour, encompassing lost production, labor expenses, and repair costs.

These delays not only affect immediate production but also have downstream impacts, including increased lead times, disrupted supply chains, and potential damage to customer relationships. Addressing unplanned downtime is crucial, as it poses significant financial and operational challenges. (Source: https://www.thepowerscompany.com/resources/unplanned-downtime-playbook)

Before implementing NSSL’s shunting solutions, this leading grocer struggled with manual workflows, inconsistent processes, and underutilized assets. Within just 90 days of working with NSSL:

Trailer dwell time — the amount of time a trailer remains idle in a yard — represents wasted resources, increased costs, and lost efficiency. Excessive dwell time ties up valuable assets, slows down fulfillment, and disrupts just-in-time inventory systems.

Trailer dwell time — the amount of time a trailer remains idle in a yard — represents wasted resources, increased costs, and lost efficiency. Excessive dwell time ties up valuable assets, slows down fulfillment, and disrupts just-in-time inventory systems.

Excessive trailer dwell time significantly impacts the trucking industry, leading to substantial financial losses. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, prolonged dwell times can cost the industry up to $3 billion annually (Source: https://mybluegrace.com/blog/detention-and-dwell-times-the-menaces-of-supply-chain-efficiency)

Additionally, a study by the Consumer Brands Association found that median dwell times can vary throughout the day, with peak times reaching up to 3.9 hours during late-night hours. (Source: https://consumerbrandsassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dwell-Time-Report-2019.pdf)

These statistics underscore the importance of efficient yard management and the implementation of strategies to reduce dwell time, thereby enhancing overall supply chain efficiency.

With NSSL’s real-time tracking and digital workflow tools, yard managers can pinpoint inefficiencies and optimize trailer movement. The journey of every trailer through the yard is monitored and analyzed to identify areas where dwell time can be reduced.

"Metrics that were once invisible to us are now at our fingertips," said the grocer’s Vice President of National Transport Operations. "Now, everything is digitized. We know exactly when tasks are completed, who completed them, and where."

By centralizing safety protocols and providing continuous driver education, NSSL has helped reduce incident rates significantly for its clients. The grocer’s yard team saw a major improvement in safety compliance and accident prevention after partnering with NSSL.

NSSL ensures that every driver is highly trained, equipment is well-maintained, and processes are designed with safety in mind — protecting both workers and profitability.

"They brought in a level of professionalism and innovation that was game-changing for us," noted a senior executive. “Their focus on safety and reducing risks is paramount to our operation’s overall success.”

Traditional yard trucks are often not designed for continuous shunting operations, leading to excessive wear and tear, breakdowns, and high maintenance costs. According to industry data, a typical shunt truck operates approximately 3,000 hours per year and consumes between 1.5 to 2 gallons of diesel per hour. In contrast, a standard day cab truck performing similar yard duties consumes about 4 gallons per hour. This difference can result in annual fuel savings of approximately $30,000 when using a shunt truck instead of a day cab.

In addition, purpose-built shunt trucks are designed for frequent stop-and-go movements, ensuring longer lifespan and fewer mechanical issues. By extending the service life of a shunt truck, these annual savings can be extended — enhancing overall profitability.

Additionally, outsourcing maintenance through a specialized service provider like NSSL means companies can eliminate the burden of unexpected repairs and avoid the operational disruptions caused by out-of-service vehicles. By partnering with a specialized service provider, businesses can forgo the need to hire and manage in-house service technicians, reducing expenses related to wages, benefits, and training. Additionally, the complexities of ordering and maintaining parts inventory are transferred to the provider, alleviating the burden of procurement and storage logistics. The necessity for investing in tools and establishing dedicated maintenance facilities is also removed, as the external provider supplies the required equipment and infrastructure. Furthermore, outsourcing addresses environmental and regulatory concerns by entrusting the disposal of hazardous materials (such as used oil), to professionals well-versed in compliance protocols. This approach not only mitigates safety and compliance issues, but also allows companies to focus more intently on their core competencies, enhancing overall productivity.

Instead of dealing with unpredictable downtime, relying on the expertise of a company well versed in fleet maintenance ensures that shunt trucks remain at peak operational performance without the headaches of in-house repairs.

Shunting inefficiencies and unexpected breakdowns cause major disruptions in yard operations. By leveraging predictive maintenance technology, NSSL helps companies reduce equipment failures and maximize uptime.

By tracking engine diagnostics, wear patterns, and utilization metrics, predictive maintenance allows companies to address mechanical issues before they cause downtime. This proactive approach significantly reduces unplanned maintenance costs and delays.

With fewer disruptions and more reliable equipment, yards can operate at peak efficiency, ensuring continuous movement of goods and preventing supply chain slowdowns.