Customer Overview
At Covenant Logistics, we take pride in partnering with our customers to drive operational efficiency and optimize their supply chains. One of our valued clients, a national bakery company, operates one of its largest distribution hubs in Atlanta. This facility plays a pivotal role in delivering fresh products to distributors and bakeries across the region.
Before we engaged with this customer for their Atlanta operation, we had already successfully partnered with them to convert their private fleet in Nashville. That project led to significant improvements in service levels and transportation management, reinforcing their trust in Covenant Logistics.
Encouraged by the results in Nashville, the bakery reached out to us once again, seeking a smarter, more scalable transportation solution for their Atlanta hub. Historically, the facility had relied on a third-party provider to manage drivers and equipment for a complex, multi-stop delivery operation. This system involved long routes, multiple relay points, and solo drivers with limited backup, creating a fragile transportation network. Small disruptions often led to major service issues, and the operation was becoming increasingly difficult to manage efficiently.
Recognizing the need for a more stable and service-driven solution, the bakery turned to Covenant Logistics once again, drawn by our track record of success and our commitment to being Driven by Purpose, Powered by Partnership.
The Challenges
• Long, relay-based routes operated by solo drivers with no backup support
• Inefficiencies from multi-stop routing and inconsistent handoffs
• Service-level issues caused by overcomplicated route design and driver isolation
• Lack of driver continuity and high vulnerability to absenteeism
• Limited visibility and control under the previous third-party arrangement
• Higher operational costs tied to redundant equipment and inefficient routing
The Covenant Solution
At Covenant Logistics, our approach centers on creating solutions that are both scalable and tailored to our customers' unique needs. For this bakery's Atlanta hub, we implemented several key changes to streamline their operation:
• Remodeled the delivery network: Replaced the multi-stop, relay-style routes with streamlined, team-based expedited routes
• Improved driver strategy: Hired 50% of the drivers from the previous provider to ensure continuity, and supplemented with experienced Covenant drivers
• Optimized fleet configuration: Deployed 9 trucks in total, including 5 team driver units and 4 solo drivers, designed specifically for the route needs
• Reduced empty miles: Re-engineered routes to minimize waste and maximize load efficiency
• Delivered cost savings: Reduced both equipment and driver count while improving service levels, saving the customer $200,000 annually
• Increased network resilience: Built operational flexibility by positioning standby drivers for potential call-outs or surge coverage
• Provided engineering support: Continuously optimized routes and provided ongoing engineering support across 10+ bakery locations
The Results
Our partnership with the bakery’s Atlanta hub has delivered significant improvements over the course of the past year. By transforming a fragile and reactive system into a proactive, high-performing network, we’ve helped them reduce operational costs, increase driver reliability, and improve routing efficiency.
Through this transformation, the bakery is now better equipped to support network expansion and confidently handle future demand spikes. Their transportation operation is no longer a costly, inefficient bottleneck, but a streamlined, high-performing system capable of driving growth.
With our Driven by Purpose, Powered by Partnership approach, we’ve ensured the bakery’s transportation network is not only efficient today but ready to scale for tomorrow’s needs.
Looking to Strengthen Your Distribution Network?
At Covenant Logistics, we specialize in transforming transportation networks to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and position companies for future growth. If you're ready to optimize your routes and improve service without compromising your bottom line, let’s talk.
