Case study:
Intermodal Depot + Transload Warehouse, NJ
Scaling port-to-warehouse and transload operations with real-time visibility and QR-code scanning
The Customer:
A New Jersey intermodal container depot with a transload warehouse
This customer operates an intermodal container depot and transload warehouse in New Jersey,
supporting port drayage, transload, and regional distribution for customers moving freight from a local container port (marine terminal) into a regional storage and distribution network. They run a tight operation with a team of approximately 10 employees, managing a 25,000 sq. ft. warehouse and a 7-acre container depot.
Founded as a track transport company, the team expanded into transloading to provide end-to-end service—port drayage, container storage, transload and warehouse handling, and regional distribution. With fleet operations already in place, they were able to launch the transload offering with predictable capacity and consistent service levels.
They primarily handle palletized freight in the warehouse, while the yard supports loaded and empty containers plus outdoor staging for palletized freight. Inventory accuracy and customer visibility were critical requirements as they launched their first transload facility.
Key Results at a Glance:
|
Metric |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Volume Growth |
Grew from 0 to 100+ transload moves/month after launching the first transload facility |
|
Facility Footprint |
25,000 sq. ft. warehouse + 7-acre container depot supporting indoor and outdoor storage |
|
Inventory Accuracy |
QR code scanning built into the Transloading Software improved traceability for pallets, container contents, and yard locations |
|
Customer Visibility |
Professional portal for real-time status, photos, documents, and shipment tracking across port-to-warehouse operations |
|
Operational Flexibility |
Flexible workflows supported indoor warehouse loads and outdoor yard/container handling with a unified interface and consistent documentation |
The Challenge:
Launching transloading while running daily port drayage, yard storage, and distribution
As a drayage-focused business expanding into transloading, the team needed to deliver a consistent, audit-ready process across both warehouse and yard operations—without slowing down port turns or complicating dispatch and appointments. Their first transload facility also required a customer-facing experience that matched the professionalism of larger operators.
The operation faced several core challenges:
Warehouse + yard complexity: Managing palletized loads indoors while tracking containers and outdoor inventory required structured, flexible workflows.
Port turns and terminal turn times: Drayage moves from the terminal depend on accurate, real-time status updates to avoid missed appointments, detention risk, and exception handling.
Inventory accountability: The business needed accurate, scan-based inventory controls to keep pallet locations accurate and container availability dependable.
Customer experience expectations: Customers wanted self-serve visibility, clean documentation, and a professional portal that reduced calls and emails.
The Solution:
Opening the first transload facility with transloads.co’s unified platform
The company partnered with transloads.co to launch its first transload facility and implement Transloading Software that supports both warehouse and yard workflows. The solution was designed to handle high-velocity port drayage and terminal-to-warehouse coordination, while maintaining accurate inventory and consistent customer communication.
Key capabilities implemented included:
QR code scanning: The built-in QR scanner enabled accurate receiving, moves, and shipping for palletized freight—improving inventory confidence in both the warehouse and yard.
Flexible indoor/outdoor workflows: Standardized processes handled palletized warehouse loads, container yard activity, and outdoor pallet staging with consistent documentation and status tracking.
Customer-facing portal: Provided real-time visibility into terminal-to-warehouse status, documents, photos, and inventory—reducing update requests and strengthening customer trust.
Dispatch-ready execution: Operational steps aligned with dispatch and appointment workflows, keeping port turns efficient while maintaining accurate receiving and shipping records.
The Results:
A scalable port-to-warehouse and transload operation with accurate inventory and a professional customer experience
With the right Transloading Software powering their first transload facility, this New Jersey operator established a repeatable operating model that connects port drayage, yard storage, and warehouse handling into a single, trackable workflow. The combination of scan-based inventory controls and customer self-serve visibility helped the business grow throughput while maintaining high service levels with a lean team.
Key outcomes included:
Growth to 100+ transload moves per month: Successfully scaled transload volume from zero to 100+ transload moves/month while maintaining consistent processes.
QR-verified inventory control: Scan-based receiving and moves improved accuracy for palletized freight across both the warehouse and outdoor staging areas.
Better customer experience: The customer portal provided real-time visibility into port drayage, transload progress, and outbound shipments—reducing calls, emails, and manual status updates.
One operating model across services: The team connected drayage, storage, transloading, and distribution into a single trackable workflow—improving handoffs and reducing rework.
A Platform for the Future
With an all-in-one Transloading Software foundation, scan-based inventory control, and a professional portal, the business is positioned to scale throughput and expand customer relationships—without adding administrative overhead. As port volumes fluctuate and customer requirements evolve, the operation can flex between indoor and outdoor workflows while keeping documentation, visibility, and customer communication standardized.
The result is a resilient port-to-warehouse and transload operating model that supports faster execution, clearer accountability, and a customer experience that helps win and retain accounts in a competitive port-adjacent market.
Customer Testimonials
The portal and QR scanning changed everything for us. We can receive from the terminal, move freight between the yard and warehouse, and ship out with confidence—every pallet is accounted for, and our customers can see status in real time. It’s the operational backbone that made our first transload facility successful.
Owner-Operator
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