Just-in-Time transport is becoming a key element of production processes that require precise synchronisation of deliveries with the production line schedule. In such an environment, even minor time deviations can generate significant operating costs, affect production flow and reduce the efficiency of the entire logistics system.
At Jasek Transport, we understand that business stability is at stake in JIT logistics. That is why we rely exclusively on our own fleet and dedicated account managers available 24/7. This approach allows us to take full responsibility for the timeliness of deliveries, guaranteeing operational security.
Every traffic jam on the motorway or tractor breakdown is a real threat of production line stoppages and huge contractual penalties. Is it possible to completely eliminate risk in road transport? No, because random factors are inherent in this industry. However, it is possible, and indeed necessary, to drastically reduce them.
The solution here is not maximum speed, but choosing a carrier with experience in serving industries based on precise schedules and meticulous route planning.
In this article, we present methods for effectively reducing the risks associated with particularly demanding Just-in-Time transport.
Stable time windows – precision instead of improvisation
In Just-in-Time logistics, the greatest enemy of security is planning chaos. This system only works properly when there is full synchronisation between production needs and transport capabilities.
A common mistake is to treat JIT deliveries as a process that can be modified at the last minute. This is a risky practice. Any sudden change in the schedule, postponement of notification or ‘pushing’ of orders generates the risk of a domino effect. A 15-minute delay of one vehicle can result in the loss of the designated slot on the ramp, which in turn blocks the unloading of subsequent vehicles and ultimately leads to the assembly line coming to a halt.
Constant communication with the vehicle
Constant real-time communication is the basis for effective Just-in-Time transport management. Vehicle monitoring systems and automatic data exchange, implemented through EDI or API, among other means, enable early detection of potential delays and quick corrective action. This reduces the risk of disruptions at a stage that allows for maintaining the stability and predictability of the entire delivery process.
Intelligent Safety Stock
Although the Just-in-Time methodology aims to minimise inventory levels, completely abandoning material security generates unacceptable operational risk. The solution is to maintain a so-called intelligent buffer on the production line.
The implementation of a small, precisely calculated stock (Safety Stock) does not contradict the principles of Lean Management, but is a pragmatic element of production continuity management. Such an operational reserve allows you to offset the effects of minor fluctuations in delivery times, providing a safety margin of several minutes. In emergency situations, this short period is crucial for taking corrective action and avoiding costly line stoppages.
Dedicated fleet and operational readiness
Basing the Just-in-Time model on your own transport resources drastically reduces the level of uncertainty in the supply chain. Unlike using transport exchanges, a carrier with a dedicated fleet has full control over the technical condition of vehicles and the availability of drivers. This eliminates the risk associated with the anonymity of subcontractors and the lack of supervision over the execution of orders.
A key element of the safety strategy is maintaining reserve readiness (standby vehicles). Having a vehicle in reserve that is ready to take over a load immediately is an essential safeguard in the event of a breakdown or unforeseen circumstances. In a time-sensitive delivery regime, where every minute of delay generates losses, the guarantee of replacement fleet availability and the standard of immediate, direct communication with the driver are necessary conditions for maintaining the continuity of the production sequence.
Precise planning and forecasting quality
The effectiveness of the Just-in-Time model is directly proportional to the quality of planning data. The accuracy of input data determines the smoothness of the entire logistics sequence. The foundation of a stable process is reliable forecasts and realistic schedules that take into account operational variables, rather than relying solely on theoretical assumptions.
The key aspect is the dynamics of updates. In road transport, conditions are constantly changing, which is why static plans quickly become outdated. It is essential to continuously refresh forecasts based on actual data. This approach minimises operational variance and reduces the risk of supply disruption to a level acceptable for physical processes.
Continuous quality control and deviation monitoring
As a logistics operator responsible for critical links in the supply chain, we do not limit ourselves to the role of a contractor. At Jasek Transport, we implement a rigorous process quality control system based on continuous monitoring of KPIs such as on-time delivery (OTD/OTIF) and the correctness of return documentation circulation.
Our experience shows that JIT delivery disruptions rarely result from a single, sudden event. Most often, they are the result of an accumulation of minor operational errors – from carelessness in securing cargo to errors in notification or labelling. That is why we treat every irregularity, even the smallest one, as a warning sign. We conduct root cause analysis to eliminate these micro-errors before they threaten the smooth flow of the customer’s production.
Jasek Transport – operational independence and quality assurance
Effective risk mitigation in the Just-in-Time model requires a paradigm shift in logistics management. In modern industry, transport cannot be treated as an isolated service, but as an integral part of the manufacturing process. The key to security of supply is to move away from ad hoc, uncertain spot market solutions in favour of systemic operational integration. Only full transparency of data flow and control over physical resources can reduce delivery time variance to a level acceptable for rigorous production schedules.
In critical logistics, risk most often arises where the operator loses control of the process. That is why at Jasek Transport we have eliminated intermediaries. We are not a freight forwarder looking for a carrier on the exchange.
We carry out transport orders in the UK and within the EU exclusively with our own vehicles and drivers employed by us. This gives us 100% control over the location of the cargo and the technical condition of the vehicle. For the customer, this means transparency: you work directly with the fleet owner, who takes full responsibility for the transport.
