Rebuilders Automotive Supply: Transportation Management System Implementation
Prior to transformation, RAS's freight management operations were largely manual and fragmented. Freight planning, shipment documentation, and load tracking were managed through spreadsheets and email, leading to frequent errors, production delays, and poor visibility into transportation costs. As freight volumes increased, it became clear that the existing logistics framework could not scale—freight had become a production bottleneck, limiting growth and reducing operational effectiveness.
Freight planning and tracking managed entirely through spreadsheets and email chains.
Bills of lading, invoices, and customs paperwork often inaccurate or incomplete.
Frequent documentation problems created regulatory risks and supplier frustration.
Poor transparency into transportation costs prevented effective financial planning.
Inefficient freight management directly impacted sales and procurement workflows.
Existing framework couldn't support growing volumes or business expansion.
As CIO, David McLaughlin identified freight logistics as a critical constraint within RAS's operational ecosystem. Recognizing that manual processes could no longer sustain the company's growth trajectory, he led the strategic design and implementation of a fully integrated Transportation Management System.
The transformation centered on automating the entire freight lifecycle while embedding intelligence and control into every step of the process.
Implemented dynamic TMS that plans shipments based on production readiness, carrier performance metrics, and optimized cost models.
Established direct API connections with logistics providers such as Echo Logistics, enabling proactive freight scheduling and live shipment tracking.
Built automated validation checks that verify shipment costs upfront, eliminating downstream accounting discrepancies and billing disputes.
Automated generation and validation of bills of lading, invoices, and customs documentation, reducing errors to under 2%.
Implemented GL mapping and cost accounting integration with automated allocation by location and department for improved budget accuracy.
Created real-time insights into inbound freight status, enhancing production planning and supplier coordination capabilities.
Achieved 30% reduction in transportation costs, saving over $2.5 million annually in the first contract period, with an additional 18% reduction through vendor optimization.
Reduced error rates to below 2%, dramatically improving freight accuracy, reliability, and compliance with documentation requirements.
Improved supplier satisfaction through faster, error-free freight coordination and better shipment transparency and communication.
Enhanced production throughput by eliminating freight bottlenecks and ensuring consistent on-time deliveries to facilities.
Established stronger financial controls and automated accounting reconciliation, providing leadership with precise real-time cost insights.
Positioned RAS for sustained scalability in logistics operations and enhanced supplier engagement capabilities.
David McLaughlin's leadership in transforming RAS's logistics operations exemplifies the impact of strategic digital innovation driven by business insight and technical precision. By introducing automation, data integration, and accountability into freight management, he converted a longstanding operational weakness into a source of strategic advantage. His work set a new standard for cross-functional collaboration at RAS—demonstrating how technology, when guided by vision and measurable outcomes, can unlock multimillion-dollar efficiencies and elevate supplier and customer experiences alike.
30%+ transportation cost savings through TMS-driven automation and 3PL integration
Error reduction from manual processes to <2% through digitization and validation controls
Supplier satisfaction and production throughput increased via real-time scheduling and monitoring
Demonstrated ROI and operational scalability aligning logistics with financial and production systems
CIO-led digital transformation success story showcasing leadership in technology-driven modernization