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Just-in-Time Transports – Accurate to ±15 Minutes at the OEM Plant Gate

Just-in-time transports deliver material to the OEM plant gate exactly at the time of need – with a punctuality of ±15 minutes, VDA labelling and EDI connection. Required in automotive and aerospace, where a missed time window triggers a line stoppage that is billed per minute and assigned to the party responsible.

Aerial view of a logistics centre with loading ramps

In automotive and aerospace supply, punctuality decides contractual relationships: whoever misses the time window at the OEM plant gate risks a line stoppage – and that is billed per minute and assigned to the party responsible. Speed Logistics runs just-in-time transports with a punctuality of ±15 minutes at the plant gate, secured by GPS live tracking, real-time ETA and a dispatch team that can personally intervene around the clock if something happens en route.

We know the process landscape of OEM logistics: VDA-compliant labelling, delivery by call-off control and EDI integration with the plants' systems are part of the standard of our JIT traffic – as are the requirements of IATF 16949 for traceability and process stability in the automotive supply chain.

±15 minutes: how we secure punctuality

  • Backward scheduling: loading time, route and buffer are planned from the unloading window – not the other way round
  • GPS live tracking with real-time ETA: your plant and your dispatch see the arrival time to the minute
  • Active disruption management: in the event of congestion or disruption, the 24/7 dispatch team intervenes immediately – alternative route, driver change or escalation to your contact
  • Direct run without reloading: no hub risks, no foreign shipments in the load space
  • Two-driver crew on long hauls: for JIT lanes that can only be held with continuous driving

VDA, IATF 16949 and EDI: connected in a process-compliant way

JIT only works if data and goods run in sync. We work with VDA labelling (goods tags to the VDA standard), process delivery call-offs and connect via EDI integration to the systems of OEMs and tier-1 suppliers – from transport notification to status reporting on passing defined waypoints. Your goods receiving department thus knows not only that the truck is coming, but when – and can clock staff and unloading technology exactly against it. The requirements of IATF 16949 we map in our processes and documentation.

Typical JIT uses

Our customers use just-in-time traffic for the series supply of assembly plants, for special runs during call-off peaks, as a substitute in the event of scheduled-service failure and for time-critical initial sampling. Cross-border JIT lanes are also feasible – for example to plants in Eastern Europe or to Türkiye, including prepared customs clearance, so that border clearance does not endanger the time window. If your regular forwarder fails at short notice, we take over as a backup: the dispatch team is reachable 24/7 and the quote is ready within a few hours. And if, despite all planning, a call-off is unexpectedly brought forward, we combine the JIT traffic with an express direct run – if necessary with a two-driver crew, so that the material is at the line in time.

Vehicles and communication

From the van for the urgent call-off quantity to the 40 t articulated truck for series supply, we provide the right capacity – if required also several vehicles in a clocked group. The dispatch team communicates multilingually, which avoids misunderstandings at plants and with drivers along international lanes. Every journey receives a binding fixed price; you get your quote within a few hours of enquiring on +49 (0)30 346 467 850. For series traffic we agree framework terms with stored processes: plant addresses, delivery regulations and EDI parameters are set up once – after that every call-off starts without renewed coordination, and punctuality remains measurably documented over the entire term.

Frequently asked questions: Just-in-Time Transports

What does just-in-time transport mean concretely?

Just-in-time means that material arrives at the point of use exactly at the time of need – without a stock buffer at the consignee. Speed Logistics runs JIT traffic with a punctuality of ±15 minutes at the OEM plant gate, planned by backward scheduling from the unloading window and continuously monitored via GPS live tracking with a real-time ETA to the minute.

How does Speed Logistics keep ±15 minutes of punctuality?

Through backward scheduling with calculated buffers, a direct run without reloading, GPS tracking with a minute-accurate ETA and a 24/7 dispatch team that intervenes immediately in the event of disruptions – via an alternative route, driver change or escalation to the plant. On long hauls, a two-driver crew secures continuous driving and thus stable arrival times.

Does Speed Logistics support VDA labelling and EDI?

Yes. JIT traffic runs with VDA-compliant goods tags and, on request, with EDI integration into the systems of OEMs and tier-1 suppliers – from processing the delivery call-offs through transport notification to status reporting at defined waypoints. Goods and data thus run in sync through the entire supply chain.

What happens during congestion or disruption on a JIT run?

The 24/7 dispatch team monitors every JIT run live and detects ETA deviations immediately. In the event of congestion or disruption, defined measures take effect: alternative route, driver change or early escalation to your contact at the plant. This way, even in the event of a disruption, there is time for an orderly response instead of an unplanned line stoppage.

Does Speed Logistics also run JIT transports cross-border?

Yes. Cross-border JIT lanes – for example to plants in Eastern Europe or to Türkiye – are part of the programme. Customs clearance is prepared in advance and the border crossing is planned into the backward scheduling with a buffer, so that clearance does not endanger the delivery window at the plant gate and the clock is kept.

Which sectors are Speed Logistics' JIT traffic suited to?

The focus is on automotive and aerospace: series supply of assembly plants, special runs during call-off peaks, substitute traffic in the event of regular-transport failure and urgent initial sampling. The processes follow VDA standards and the requirements of IATF 16949 for traceability and stability of the automotive supply chain – including EDI connection and documented punctuality per journey.

What matters so that the JIT delivery does not fail at the plant gate?

Decisive is the backward scheduling from the unloading window with calculated buffers for traffic, borders and the ramp – not planning forwards from the loading point. On cross-border lanes, the border crossing is planned in with a time buffer so that customs clearance does not endanger the delivery window; the 24/7 dispatch team intervenes immediately in the event of disruptions.

Why is the EDI connection decisive for just-in-time?

JIT only works if data and goods run in sync. Via EDI, Speed Logistics processes delivery call-offs and reports status at defined waypoints to OEM and tier-1 systems. This way goods receiving knows not only that the truck is coming, but when – and can clock staff and unloading technology exactly against it.

Request just-in-time transports

Contact our dispatch team – fixed-price quote within hours, available 24/7.