How a Leading CPG Conglomerate Achieved 20% Savings and Avoided $3M in Errors with Zero Down

The Challenge: Bleeding Cash Through Post-Acquisition Complexity

Before partnering with Zero Down, the client’s logistics operations were fragmented and burdened by manual processes, leading to significant inefficiencies and inflated costs. The company was struggling to integrate newly acquired businesses, creating a complex web of disparate systems that prevented a unified view of logistics and complicated auditing. This fragmentation forced the logistics team to rely on outdated tasks, like manually approving paper invoices and sourcing quotes from individual carrier websites. This slow, error-prone process not only diverted focus from strategic work but also left the company with no real control or visibility, making them vulnerable to overcharges.

The Solution: A Unified Strategy for Control and Savings

Zero Down implemented a multi-faceted solution designed to streamline operations, reduce costs, and provide actionable intelligence through a combination of technology and expert managed services.

1. Technology Implementation (FreightOptics™ TMS): We deployed our proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS), FreightOptics™, to serve as a single source of truth. This platform automated the entire freight audit and payment process, consolidating all carrier data into one intuitive dashboard.
2. Customized Freight Audit and Payment: To simplify the client’s complex payment needs, we designed a tailored system of specialized payment batches. This streamlined the review, funding, and GL coding process, ensuring all carriers were paid accurately and within 24 hours of receiving funds.
3. Strategic Carrier Negotiation: Our team acted as a strategic advisor during carrier contract negotiations. By performing a deep analysis of all proposals, we provided the data-backed guidance needed to secure the most favorable terms and avoid unfavorable agreements that contained hidden costs.
4. Dedicated Managed Services: A dedicated Zero Down team was assigned to manage the client’s daily shipment activities, from optimizing freight costs for outbound orders to efficiently handling the influx of returns and supplier shipments.

The Results: From Cost Center to Strategic Asset

The partnership yielded immediate and transformative results, totaling over $3.9 million in combined savings and cost avoidance.

The strategic rate negotiation and advisory saved the client $850,000+ on freight (a 20% reduction) and helped them avoid $3,000,000 in incorrect invoicing charges by sidestepping unfavorable contracts. Proactive parcel and service audits delivered an additional $53,000 in direct recoveries.

Beyond the financial victories, the operational transformation was profound. The FreightOptics™ TMS eliminated manual paper invoices and quote sourcing. This shift gave the client complete, real-time visibility and data-driven control over their entire logistics network, turning a chaotic cost center into a model of efficiency.

Ready to Replicate This Success?

If you’re relying on manual processes and lack clear visibility into your freight spend, you could be overpaying.