Everstream Analytics > Case Studies > Glanbia's Innovative Approach to Protecting Temperature Sensitive Products

Glanbia's Innovative Approach to Protecting Temperature Sensitive Products

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Public Transportation Management
Transportation Simulation

Services

Data Science Services
Testing & Certification

About The Customer

Glanbia PLC is a global nutrition group and a leading cheese manufacturer in the United States. The company has a corporate office for global operations in Downers Grove, Illinois, and European offices in Dublin, Ireland. Glanbia Performance Nutrition (GPN) is a major division within Glanbia PLC, producing a full range of performance nutrition products with broad consumer appeal. GPN is a market leader in innovation and new product development and is a significant revenue generator for the organization. The division's goal is to continue expanding by employing and using 3rd party logistics, including current partnerships with DHL and Transplace.

The Challenge

Glanbia PLC, a global nutrition group and leading cheese manufacturer, was facing a significant challenge in protecting its temperature-sensitive products during transit. The company's Performance Nutrition division (GPN), a major revenue generator, was experiencing growth in its portfolio and product offerings, necessitating the need for new technologies to ensure product safety. In 2019, the company was hit with rail embargos and supply chain disruptions, resulting in product loss. This, coupled with issues of product freezing in cold weather and melting during hotter months, sparked a need for change. The company's goal was to continue expanding by employing and using 3rd party logistics, including current partnerships with DHL and Transplace, while mitigating risks for temperature-sensitive shipments and decreasing product loss due to temperature fluctuations.

The Solution

GPN was introduced to QProducts, a passive thermal solution provider, through talks with Transplace, a third-party logistics provider. This was due to GPN's desire to save on transportation costs and reduce the frequency of utilizing temperature-controlled equipment. QProducts then introduced GPN to Everstream Analytics, a predictive analytics company, and together they created a data-driven solution powered by lane risk analysis, advanced weather forecasting, and shipping environment temperature data from computer simulated temperature modelling. The solution, dubbed 'In Full', integrates directly into GPN’s TMS to provide an equipment recommendation given the exterior ambient temperatures that a planned shipment will encounter along its route. Orders received by Transplace with notations for 'protect from freeze' or 'protect from melt' are now automatically run through Everstream’s In Full solution. This advises when to use thermal pallet covers, a dry van, or climate-controlled equipment, thereby reducing product spoilage, unnecessary spend on climate-controlled equipment, and increasing product quality and overall customer satisfaction.

Operational Impact

The implementation of the 'In Full' solution by Everstream Analytics has had a significant impact on GPN's operations. The process to protect product from freeze was put to the test during the past winter season, and the company reported no freezing issues. The solution has not only helped in reducing product spoilage but also unnecessary expenditure on climate-controlled equipment. This has resulted in increased product quality and overall customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the predictive analytics solutions provided by QProducts and Everstream have supplied GPN with important data visualization tools, enabling them to make more informed decisions and streamline their operations.

Quantitative Benefit