Carriers already face many challenges in the transportation industry. It includes a multitude of rules and regulations that they must follow or else they could be fined. Or, even worse, drivers could lose their CDLs.
Now on top of all of their rules and regulations, WalMart is making it even tougher for carriers by imposing their OTIF program on them. Carriers can expect, heavy financial penalties for making late deliveries, for having missing freight, and for even delivering freight early.
OTIF – On Time In Full
WalMart is known for trying to squeeze profits in every area they can, even when it comes to receiving freight and their ‘OTIF’ or On Time In Full program is their way to crack down on carriers to become more efficient at delivering loads and properly packaged freight on time. This initiative should provide WalMart with an extra $1 billion in revenue by simply getting items to the shelves faster.
WalMart has already warned retailers that disputes will not be tolerated.
WalMart’s logistic center that includes over 150 distribution centers will greatly be impacted by their aggressive program that not only fines drivers for being late, but for being early and improperly packaged as well. If the carriers want to dispute a fine, that won’t work. WalMart has already warned retailers that disputes will not be tolerated. This unforgiving campaign already began in August with a previous goal with a 4-day delivery window and hitting OTIF regulations 90 percent of the time. Now by February Wal-Mart wants to see deliveries on time and in full 95% of the time or carriers can face the penalties.
Since this program began in August, some carriers have already been invoiced for penalties. For example, if items arrived late or missing carriers receive a fine of 3% of their value. Items that arrive early are fined because they create overstocks. WalMart expects this initiative help them compete with major retailers like Amazon because let’s be honest, people are happier with stocked shelves and when people are happier, they spend more. With more revenue flowing WalMart will continue to squeeze and pinch pennies in the freight industry regardless of the unfair pressure that it puts on them.
Let’s Talk More About the Unfair Pressure Placed By OTIF
OTIF will be expensive for carriers not only because of the fines, but to implement. Bigger carriers can add new factory processes to help with the packing and loading of freight, but smaller carriers may not be able to handle those costs. Plus, smaller carriers, who are just emerging into the market sometimes start off by trying to simply break even on deliveries until they can build a good reputation for themselves. If they incur the cost of fines they might go under.
This program will force carriers to become responsible for making deliveries on time even when they face factors that they can’t control.
What happens if a carrier realizes they will make the delivery a day early? Do they face the costs of the early delivery fee or do they face the costs of having to find somewhere to park overnight and to pay for meals not to mention the hours being out of business? Also, an extra day on the road away from families can put a lot of demoralizing stress on truckers. This program will force carriers to become responsible for making deliveries on time even when they face factors that they can’t control. For example, inclement weather could force drivers off the road, or they could get stuck in major traffic jams.
In order to make deliveries on time, some carriers may feel pressured to drive past the daily limit of 11 hours, which is extremely dangerous and illegal. Driving is exhausting and driving tired is the equivalent of driving drunk. Paper logs can easily be forged for now, but in December once the ELD mandate goes into effect records will be harder to forge, so drivers won’t even have the option to push themselves to make a delivery in time.
At the end of the day, WalMart will do whatever they can to improve their bottom line, even if it imposes impossible stress, extra operational costs and fines on carriers, who will have to completely rethink their operations in order to make deliveries on time, in full.
Do You Need Help With OTIF Issues?
A 3PL, such as BlueGrace, can help your business overcome the challenges of OTIF and other supply chain issues. If you have questions about OTIF or just how to simplify your current transportation program, feel free to contact us via phone at 800.MY.SHIPPING or using the form below and we will be happy to assist.