Since 1947, Silver Line 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 staff and has eight facilities in the US.

Silver Line is the largest vinyl window manufacturer in the US, shipping approximately £308 million annually. They ship their product primarily on their own trucks, while utilising 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).

The Direct Route Solution

Silver Line selected Direct Route, available from AutoLogic Solutions in the UK, as a solution to their on-going routing issues: allowing deliveries to be more timely and predictable, increase the volume/value of each load while reducing miles driven and improving the back office process.

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 optimised 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.