When a global leader in hardwood, plywood, MDF and other wood panels began working with Tighe Logistics two years ago, the relationship started simply: warehouse storage for imported plywood. Within months, the partnership expanded into a fully integrated logistics solution, encompassing drayage, warehousing and outbound transportation.
Headquartered overseas, the company’s product line of hardwood plywood, MDF and other wood panels is used in cabinetry and other finished wood products for major construction and retail customers – including Lowe’s. The plywood, shipped from Asia, arrives through the Ports of Boston, Savannah and Long Beach, where it enters Tighe’s network for careful handling, inspection and distribution.
“This customer first came to us for warehousing,” explains Jose Alvarado, the Operations Lead in Tighe’s Woburn, MA warehouse. “Because we are also an asset-based carrier, we also discovered we were able to meet their Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) cost-effectively in the transportation arena.”
A Supply Chain that Demands Precision
The operational scope for the company’s U.S. supply chain is substantial — and precise. Tighe handles drayage from the Port of Boston to its Woburn, MA facility, where Jose’s team receives the container and inspects all unloaded product prior to putaway. From there, we store their product in the warehouse and pick orders as they come in.
From there, Lowe’s manages the final distribution to stores and regional staging areas. Each step requires consistency and tight product handling controls – both of which were challenges for them before they partnered with Tighe.
“Recognizing the need for a more reliable logistics framework, we sought a partner capable of matching its global services standards”, says the company’s CEO. “That meant we struggled to consistently hit our customer’s delivery windows. Tighe drivers now unload the outbound truck, tarp it, and stage it the day before delivery. That level of planning ensures that we never miss those critical retail delivery windows.”
Deliveries to Lowe’s DC’s typically happen during a one-hour morning window. Tighe’s proactive scheduling, pre-loading and staging, made considerable impact on the timing, improving the company’s U.S. distribution.
Comprehensive Services and Smart Expansion
Today, Tighe supports the company’s supply chain across multiple modes in the United States:
- Drayage: Port of Boston to Tighe’s Woburn warehouse (with a recent expansion also to Port of Savannah)
- Warehousing: Container unloading, inspection, and rework when necessary.
- Outbound Flatbed Transportation: Outbound deliveries to Lowe’s DCs across the eastern U.S.
- Managed 4PL Operations: Coordination of drayage and outbound shipping for the customer’s Savannah operations, including working with third-party warehousing partners
“We also manage the company’s business in Savannah,” says Mike Spicer, Vice President of Transportation at Tighe Logistics. The company acted quickly to address a new opportunity in the Savannah market where they had been operating for many years. “We helped them capitalize on the opportunity, and now schedule drayage loads, coordinate with warehouse providers, and handle billing — all through Tighe — so it’s turnkey for them no matter which region we’re operating in.”
The relationship’s strength is built on trust and performance.
When issues arise, Tighe steps in immediately. “We’ve had containers arrive with damage or mis-stacked product,” notes Jose. “Our team breaks down and rebuilds the pallets, documents the issues, and sends photos to our customer so they can address the root cause.”
Innovation Through Process and Technology
Tighe’s technology ecosystem underpins its operational precision. Orders flow directly into RAMP WMS, managed by Tighe’s customer service team. From there, orders integrate with Korber TMS for transportation planning and execution.
Each flatbed delivery is GPS-tracked through Samsara, which automatically sends status updates when drivers enter or exit the geo-fenced delivery zones at Lowe’s facilities. These updates sync back to Korber, giving both Tighe and the customer real-time visibility from warehouse to destination. “Their EDI connectivity is flawless,” Jose says. “It’s highly accurate and includes every necessary data point. That means we can plan quarterly around their volumes — securing more chassis, more drivers, and more warehouse space as needed.”
RF scanners are also used in Tighe’s warehouse to receive, check, and verify products. This digital integration reduces errors and keeps data flowing seamlessly between both companies’ systems.
“From order receipt to schedule and delivery, we’ve built near real-time communication that’s accurate and consistent,” says Mike. Together, both companies are redefining how transparency and technology can strengthen the supply chain.
Operational Excellence and Process Improvements
The partnership has yielded major gains in efficiency, quality, and reliability:
- Timing: Containers are pulled from the port within one to two days of receiving delivery orders — with zero demurrage fees.
- Product Quality: Tighe’s quality-control processes ensure that plywood is handled safely and damage-free, improving the packaging that has been damaged due to rough container handling.
- Communication: Regular updates, detailed documentation, and real-time visibility to manage the network with confidence.
- Consolidation: The customer reduced complexity by eliminating multiple 3PLs and carriers, entrusting all inbound and outbound operations to Tighe.
- Standardization: Training videos created by Tighe demonstrate proper unloading and reloading techniques. These have been shared across the customer’s U.S. network, setting a new quality benchmark.
Packaging innovations have also emerged through collaboration. “We saw an opportunity to improve the packaging and prevent damage to product that was vulnerable to moisture” says Mike. “Changing to vinyl covers significantly improved protection during transit.”
Automation and Scalability
Tighe has also streamlined what were once manual processes. All billing and communication for multi-location operations — including Savannah and California — now flow through Tighe, giving the customer a single point of contact for most of their U.S. logistics.
This turnkey model allows the customer to focus on growth and customer relationships, confident that their logistics are being handled with precision and transparency.
Performance and Measurable Results
Key performance indicators (KPIs) tell the story of success:
- On-Time Delivery: Nearly flawless, with only one minor flatbed incident in two years.
- Drayage Efficiency: Containers consistently picked up within two days; no demurrage fees.
- Inventory Accuracy: Verified monthly, with annual audits confirming accuracy.
These KPIs are more than numbers — they’re tools the customer uses to drive continuous improvement. “We share order fulfillment and delivery data consistently,” Mike says. “That level of communication helps them plan smarter, allocate inventory, and strengthen their downstream relationships.” These KPI’s reflect the combined commitment of both Tighe and its customer to operational excellence.
Trusted Partners — Across Oceans
Managing a complex, international supply chain presents inherent communication challenges — but not for this partnership.
“The relationship is excellent,” Bob Willert, CEO at Tighe Logistics emphasizes. “We’ve established open lines of communication. Even though our customer is headquartered overseas, it’s not a challenge for us. We respond quickly, we’re accurate, and we operate as one team.”
That trust has led the customer to rely on Tighe not only for daily execution but also for strategic guidance. Tighe is now exploring bonded carrier status to manage import tariffs and investigating intermodal solutions for cross-country shipments.
“As they grow, we grow with them,” Mike adds. “We’re an extension of their business — built into what they do.”
For the customer, the partnership represents more than logistics efficiency — it’s a model for how collaboration and shared standards can elevate the customer experience across the country.
An Industry-Leading Model for 4PL Partnerships
This global leader’s supply chain demonstrates what’s possible when operational execution, technology, and collaboration align.
Through EDI accuracy, real-time visibility, and continuous process improvement, Tighe has created a logistics ecosystem that is both resilient and scalable. From fire-damaged containers to precision deliveries at retailer DCs, the partnership has weathered every test — and come out stronger.
“Their supply chain is innovative because of how seamlessly all the systems and processes work together,” concludes Bob. “We’ve mastered the relationship — from order to delivery — with complete consistency.”
“This is what modern logistics looks like. Technology, accuracy, and trust — working together to make sure every load, every pallet, every delivery meets the customer’s expectation.”
The Road Ahead
As this customer continues expanding its North American operations, this partnership is a cornerstone for replicating best-in-class logistics and customer service. The 4PL model — integrating inbound transportation, warehousing, and outbound distribution under one partner — offers a proven template for how Tighe can help similar import-driven clients manage complex supply chains with confidence.
For the customer, the results speak for themselves: reliable port-to-store visibility, consistent product quality, and a trusted logistics partner that operates like part of their own team.
