The Client Overview
                 
Since 1947, SilverLine has been committed to developing and manufacturing the highest quality, most innovative vinyl windows possible. They successfully utilize all technologies and resources available to create the most efficient, quality-consistent production methods. Silver Line manufactures and ships windows for New Construction, Replacement Windows, Aluminum Windows, and Patio Doors along with a full line of Weather Stopper™ Impact-Resistant Windows. Silver Line employs over 7100 and has facilities in New Jersey (2), Illinois, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Silver Line is the largest vinyl window manufacturer in the nation, shipping approximately $500 million dollars annually. They ship their product primarily on their own trucks, while utilizing third party carriers for the overflow.

The Business Case

Silver Line’s Shipping Department was looking for an innovative solution to accomplish their two major objectives:

1. To improve service levels to customers.
2. To reduce costs. (Transportation is one of their largest component costs.)

Appian Logistics’ Solution

Appian Logistics’ presented Silver Line with a solution to on-going routing issues: namely allow deliveries to be more timely and predictable, increase the volume/value of each load while reducing miles driven and improving the back office process.

1. Appian provided its Direct Route as the answer. 
2. Appian and Silver Line developed a game plan to implement Direct Route in their regional sites tied back to a legacy system in New Jersey and track progress to guarantee successful results.
3. Appian directly involved Silver Line’s IT personnel by phone, on-line and on-site throughout the implementation. Appian also provided training and one-on-one consultation to ensure optimized software usage.

The Result

Direct Route was applied to the truck routes that included the Silver Line fleet of 250 trucks as well as other carrier routes operating from their 8 factories throughout the United States. 

1. Scheduling was optimized and product delivery became more reliable, improving overall customer satisfaction.
2. Direct Route allowed the regional routers to reduce mileage and the number of routes, as well as cut gas costs and related vehicle wear and tear.
3. Data integrity improved tremendously, paper tracking was phased out and man-hours supporting the paper process decreased significantly.