TMS ROI Case Study: How a Colombian Flower Exporter Achieved 4.7x Return
See exactly how one of Colombia’s largest flower exporters used TMS to cut logistics costs by 21%, improve on-time delivery to 98.4%, and generate measurable competitive advantage.
Floral exports represent one of Colombia’s most important economic sectors, with tight delivery windows and extreme perishability. This detailed case study reveals how one leading flower exporter transformed their logistics using a modern TMS.
Results achieved within 14 months:
- 4.7x ROI on total TMS investment
- 21% reduction in logistics costs per shipment
- On-time cold-chain delivery increased to 98.4%
- Empty miles reduced by 43%
- 67% reduction in claims related to temperature excursions
Company Background and Challenges
The company ships over 18,000 tons of flowers annually to more than 40 countries, primarily the United States and Europe. Before TMS implementation, they relied on spreadsheets, multiple 3PL relationships, and manual coordination that created frequent expensive air freight emergencies.
TMS Selection Process and Criteria
The selection team included representatives from logistics, finance, IT, and commercial departments. Key requirements included native cold-chain temperature monitoring, integration with their existing WMS and ERP, strong analytics, and local support in both Bogotá and Miami.
Implementation Journey and Change Management
The project followed a phased approach beginning with domestic consolidation, then North America lanes, followed by European routes. Significant investment was made in training for both internal staff and key carrier partners.
Read our guide on successful TMS implementation in Colombia
Quantified Benefits Breakdown
Hard Savings
- Freight cost optimization: COP 2.87 billion annually
- Reduced claims and product loss: COP 890 million
- Lower air freight emergency usage: COP 1.34 billion
Soft Benefits
- Improved customer satisfaction scores
- Better visibility for commercial team during peak seasons (Valentine’s, Mother’s Day)
- Enhanced ability to offer value-added logistics services to smaller growers
Lessons Learned for Other Colombian Exporters
- Temperature monitoring integration delivers the highest ROI for perishables
- Carrier performance scorecards drive continuous improvement
- Early involvement of commercial teams increases system utilization
- Building analytics dashboards in local Spanish increased adoption dramatically
Is This Type of ROI Achievable for Your Operation?
While every company is different, organizations with high shipment volume, complex lane networks, or perishable goods typically see the fastest payback periods when implementing the right TMS.
Conclusion
This flower exporter case study demonstrates that well-executed TMS projects in Colombia can deliver exceptional returns when aligned with industry-specific requirements like cold chain integrity and export compliance.
The competitive advantage gained through superior logistics performance has helped this company increase market share in key destinations.
Want to know what ROI you could realistically expect? Our team offers a free customized ROI assessment for flower exporters and other Colombian industries.
