Element Electronics
Element Electronics opened its Winnsboro, South Carolina television assembly facility in 2013. Element relies on container shipping services that offer competitive costs, excellent customer service and great visibility to their inbound freight. Their import shipments bound for the Winnsboro factory, coming primarily from Shanghai but also Yantian and Dalian, travel to the Port of Charleston via direct, all-water container services.
Element had a history of using the U.S. West Coast as their primary gateway into the U.S. from China. Although they still use West Coast ports to service Element operations there, the Port of Charleston is the company’s primary gateway for the assembly factory in Winnsboro, which serves a booming consumer population across U.S. Southeast markets.
Business Challenge
How could Element quickly get their U.S. Southeast logistics and distribution network up and running? Element required a smooth transition to avoid supply chain delays and ensure shipments move seamlessly to their Winnsboro assembly plant from China.
Solution
Element Electronics worked closely with the SC Ports Supply Chain Authority Team to get a better understanding of the U.S. Southeast market, resources available and carrier services calling the Port of Charleston from Shanghai, Yantian and Dalian.
With boots on the ground and unbeatable local market knowledge, the Supply Chain Authority Team introduced Element to potential intermodal transport vendors and provided key contacts at steamship lines, which became valued business partnerships for Element.
“The SC Ports sales team has been very helpful when Element Electronics has ‘hot shipments’ that are a priority. They are an extra set of eyes tracking these critical containers all the way from container arrival, discharge and out-gating. This visibility is important to keeping our production line up and running. As a result of these proactive visibility measures, production continues with no stoppages, which saves the company money!” - Cassandra Singley, Logistics Coordinator at Element
Additionally, the SC Ports Supply Chain Authority uses internal visibility of vessel arrival and container status data to provide timely carrier service updates. This assistance allows Element’s logistics and planning to adjust when needed and prevent last- minute surprises. “Most of the freight we move is JIT (just-in-time), and that means that most shipments are critical. Having the Port’s support has been key to Element Electronics maintaining supply chain integrity,” said Cassandra.