--- title: "Case study: $500K a Year From a Low-Margin Supply Chain Redesign" description: An international minerals producer eliminated expedited shipments and cut over $500,000 a year, with the same again passed to its customer. image: https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/e38da7b64d5deca037a3d9a05f6af8078bccadc7.webp --- [![Trans-Solutions](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/trans-solutions-2026/assets/ts-logo-white.svg)](https://trans-solutions.com/) [Services](https://trans-solutions.com/services) - [Freight Rate Negotiation](https://trans-solutions.com/services-freight-rate-negotiation) - [Parcel Rate Negotiation](https://trans-solutions.com/services-parcel-rate-negotiation) - [Carrier Sourcing & RFP](https://trans-solutions.com/services-carrier-sourcing-rfp) - [Vendor & TMS Selection](https://trans-solutions.com/services-vendor-tms-selection) - [Cold Chain Logistics](https://trans-solutions.com/services-cold-chain-logistics) - [Transportation Operations Audit](https://trans-solutions.com/services-transportation-audit) - [Freight Bills & Recovery](https://trans-solutions.com/services-freight-bill-audit-claims-recovery) - [Network Design](https://trans-solutions.com/services-network-design) [Case studies](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies) How we work - [About Paul](https://trans-solutions.com/paul-brinkman) [Contact](https://trans-solutions.com/contact) [Savings Calculator](https://trans-solutions.com/savings-calculator#step1) [Book a call](https://trans-solutions.com/contact) # Over $500K a year saved on both sides of a low-margin minerals supply chain Network Design Truckload & LTL Industrial & electronics manufacturing ![transportation cost reduction case study: producer of high-performance minerals](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/e38da7b64d5deca037a3d9a05f6af8078bccadc7.webp) CONTENTS - [Who](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies-manufacturing-supplier-margin-improvement/#who) - [Problem](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies-manufacturing-supplier-margin-improvement/#problem) - [What we did](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies-manufacturing-supplier-margin-improvement/#what-we-did) - [Results](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies-manufacturing-supplier-margin-improvement/#results) WHO ## Business model An international producer of high-performance minerals: talc, precipitate calcium carbonate, ground calcium carbonate, lime, dolomite, and barites. You will find these chemicals in just about everything, including paper, plastics, paint, gum and pharmaceuticals. Product is delivered to manufacturers on tight production schedules. ## Industry Minerals and chemicals, sold on thin margins where freight is a large share of the delivered cost. PROBLEM ## What they felt The client was challenged with improving margin on goods and eliminating service disruptions. After paying the freight to deliver orders to manufacturers, there was little profit margin left on the merchandise. ## What we found Since this product was delivered to meet tight manufacturing schedules, truckload service was determined to provide the most consistent on-time delivery. Other issues besides the high cost of shipping were: - Lack of trailer availability at the production facility - Delays from inclement weather - The loss of one pallet space to tire chains in the winter The delays caused multiple problems with the customers and sometimes the freight had to be expedited to meet production schedules, eliminating any profit on the goods. WHAT WE DID ## Prep and analysis Our project focused on the northeast region of the U.S., where the delays and the expedited freight were concentrated. ## Execution We constructed a new supply chain that was more economical and more resilient. A small amount of inventory was built to better control just-in-time replenishment and emergency orders, eliminating the need to expedite orders. Although inventory grew slightly to accommodate the new supply chain it had little effect on cost, because inventory had a low value. ## We solved it for their customer too The redesign was not built to move cost onto the next party in the chain. Cost savings from the new distribution method enabled our customer to reduce its price to its customers while increasing sales. RESULTS ## What they got **Over $500,000 a year for the client, and the same again for their customer** The redesign produced over $500,000 in annual savings to the client and over $500,000 in annual savings to their customer. Service improved considerably while margin grew significantly. Delivery cost came down, lead times shortened, goods sit in better positions in the network, and emergency demand no longer triggers an expedited shipment that wipes out the profit on the load. Related case studies - [![Distribution center consolidation case study](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/da19232f3797a5f3b8d71cf9cd86aae42956bada-1.webp) $2.2M saved a year and fill rate up 15 points by consolidating two DCs into one →](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies-warehouse-network-consolidation) - [![Spare parts distribution network case study](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/66fe0fdc60edb365e37894bf42aae3859d4e657f.webp) 15% off spare parts distribution in Europe, with service restored →](https://trans-solutions.com/case-studies-european-spare-parts-network-optimization) Related services - [Freight Rate Negotiation →](https://trans-solutions.com/services-freight-rate-negotiation) - [Network Design →](https://trans-solutions.com/services-network-design) ![](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/trans-solutions-2026/assets/cta-bg.jpg) ## How much are you leaving on the table? Instant estimate based on data from 600+ clients we have helped Calculate your savings potential ### Ready to get started? [Book a call with Paul](https://trans-solutions.com/contact) ![Trans-Solutions](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/trans-solutions-2026/assets/ts-logo-white.svg) Trans-Solutions, Inc. Independent transportation consultants since 1997. We are not affiliated with, compensated by, or acting as an agent for any carrier. [![](https://trans-solutions.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/trans-solutions-2026/assets/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/trans-solutions-consulting/) © 2026 Trans-Solutions, Inc., Ladera Ranch HQ