Reefer LTL Case Study: Reduced Temperature Excursions From 9 Per Quarter to Zero

A specialty food distributor depended on weekly temperature-controlled LTL shipments to keep high-value product moving to retailers across multiple regions. But inconsistent handling at regional cross-docks created a major risk. Over one quarter, the shipper experienced nine separate temperature excursions — each one threatening full product spoilage, retailer penalties, and lost revenue.

The operations team spent hours every week chasing down carriers for temperature updates, validating claims, and manually tracking exceptions. They needed a cold chain process they could trust.

Thompson Transport Group stepped in to rebuild their Reefer LTL program from the ground up.

The Challenge

Cold-chain freight is unforgiving. Any lapse in handling can result in:

• Product loss
• Safety concerns
• Retailer chargebacks
• Reputation damage
• Hours spent fighting temperature disputes

This shipper faced several recurring issues:

• Inconsistent temperature protection across cross-docks
• Carriers failing to follow cold-chain SOPs
• Temperature excursions during consolidation and transfer
• Limited visibility into en-route temperature conditions
• Manual dispute handling that drained internal bandwidth

With nine excursions in one quarter, the financial risk had become unsustainable.

The Solution

Thompson Transport Group onboarded the distributor into our dedicated Reefer LTL network, designed specifically for temperature-sensitive freight. The program combines vetted refrigerated carriers with strict procedures, real-time visibility, and full administrative support through Armstrong’s LTL team.

The solution included:

• Exclusive use of vetted temperature-controlled carriers
• Mandatory temp-protect notations on every shipment
• Cross-dock handling standards enforced at partner terminals
• GPS-enabled temperature monitoring with real-time checks
• Armstrong’s LTL support team managing all disputes and claims
• Clear reporting for temperature compliance and delivery performance

The goal was simple: eliminate risk and create a cold-chain workflow the shipper could rely on.

The Results

The improvement was immediate and dramatic.

• Zero temperature excursions for the next two quarters
• On-time delivery improved from 84 percent to 97 percent
• One hundred percent of temperature-report disputes handled by the LTL support team
• More than 26,000 dollars saved in avoided spoilage
• Higher retailer scorecards and fewer customer complaints

For the first time, the distributor had a predictable, reliable Reefer LTL program that protected product integrity and reduced operational stress.

Why It Matters

Reefer LTL is one of the highest-risk freight modes in logistics. Cross-docks, handling variance, and inconsistent temperature control can cost shippers thousands in a single incident. With TTG’s vetted refrigerated network, continuous monitoring, and a dedicated LTL support team backing every load, shippers gain peace of mind where most brokers struggle.

Considering Your Temperature-Sensitive Freight?

If your products rely on dependable cold-chain handling, Thompson Transport Group can implement a Reefer LTL program that reduces risk, prevents spoilage, and improves delivery performance. From monitoring to claims management, TTG brings the reliability your customers expect.