Heartland Bottling Improves Yard Safety, Efficiency and Visibility

Heartland Bottling Company, a key player in the Coca-Cola system, sought a technology partner to support its digital yard transformation initiatives. The company aimed to improve safety, automation, and efficiency across 13 facilities. Key pain points included manual, time-consuming communication with drivers, a reliance on paper logs for yard moves, and a lack of real-time visibility into trailer inventory and shipment status.

Solution: A Phased Digital Partnership

Heartland invested in Vector’s eBOL-powered yard management platform to serve as the “digital connective tissue” between its facilities, carriers, and customers. The initial focus was on implementing electronic Bills of Lading (eBOLs) and digital driver check-ins. This streamlined approach was a natural fit for Heartland’s ongoing digital transformation, aligning with its vision for the Olathe Production Center as a “facility of the future.”

The implementation was a success due to a strong change management strategy. Heartland’s leadership consistently communicated the vision for the future and each location’s role in it. Vector’s team also played a crucial role, working collaboratively with drivers to dissolve initial tension and guide them through the new process.

Results: Data-Driven Efficiency & Trust

The adoption of Vector’s platform led to significant, measurable improvements:

Driver Check-In & Turn Time

Heartland achieved a 98% acceptance rate for digital driver check-ins across all carriers, surpassing its initial goal of 96%. This resulted in a 7% reduction in outbound turn time and an impressive 33% reduction in inbound turn time. The solution also facilitates navigation of language barriers through automatic language translation.

Driver Pre-Check

This capability prompts drivers via text message to begin the check-in process before they arrive. This process is streamlined, requiring no app download, registration, or manual data entry for the driver. The feature has led to a faster turnaround for pre-checked drivers at the guard shack.

Yard Management

Vector’s Yard Management System eliminated the need for constant radio calls and paper logs, providing instant visibility into yard move progress. The new system provides managers with access to digital logs and data, enabling them to assess spotter productivity and automate 35% of all yard moves. A Marten driver was able to complete a drop-and-hook in just five minutes, a moment that felt like the digital vision “coming to life” for Heartland’s team.

Carrier Collaboration

The trailer pool visibility within Vector’s carrier portal has been a “game changer” for partners like Marten Transport. It allows them to fact-check their GPS data with Vector’s information before sending out reports, greatly improving accuracy. Vector also enhanced communication by providing automated, digital instructions and automatic language translation, which helped overcome communication barriers with drivers.

“Today I stood out at the welcome center here at Olathe Production Center and saw a Marten driver drop & hook in like, 5 minutes. It felt like a full-circle moment seeing the vision coming to life.“

Matt Bromley
Business Process Lead: Demand, Supply and Transportation

Future Outlook: Deeper Integration & Collaboration

Deeper Integration: Looking ahead, Heartland sees Vector as a key partner in its continued evolution. The company aims to deepen integrations with its existing tech stack, specifically with SAP CONA, to send “PGRed” (Posted Goods Receipt) status via API to Vector. This integration would provide visibility into the time between a trailer being dropped and when it’s actually unloaded, helping Heartland hold facilities accountable and prevent stock-outs.

Streamlining Private Fleet: Heartland is exploring Vector’s First-in, First-out (FIFO) logic to streamline its private fleet shuttles. The primary pain point is reducing the time drivers spend waiting for a load assignment. For their specific use case—a private fleet operating a single lane—the key is the ability to prioritize and auto-assign those priority loads.