PSC took over a tank car loading facility in Texas. Long-term incumbent operators referenced “more art than science” in existing operations. There were also concerns expressed from the customer that in the past, hitting load targets took time and experience to achieve. Variation of railcars and ambient temperatures drove wide variations in operations with a site average of 94% of load target before PSC took over.
PSC Goal
1. Create and implement a new loading process
2. Categorize railcars coming in to decrease slowdown in the process
3. Increase percentage of load target.
PSC Approach
1. Proceduralize load capacity to tailor each load
2. Categorize railcars coming in to decrease slowdown in the process
- Measure product temperatures with thermal gun
- Apply appropriate volume correction factors
3. Increase percentage of target to 99% of allowable capacity
- Train operating employees and validate loading discipline
Positive Customer Outcomes
1. PSC team consistently hit 99%+ of load target resulting real savings
- Increased throughput rates by avoiding back and forth trips to scales
2. Delivered tangible cost savings as freight is paid by the load, not weight
3. Customer leveraged PSC’s process across its network of US operations.
