Freight FAQs

Shipping 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 P.M (unless prior arrangements have been made by appointment and approved by Logistics Manager). These are TL shipments off our assembly lines.

• Loading of truck loads of cabinets will not start after 12:00 p.m.
• How large a shipment, both in terms of item and size i.e. tall cabinets, quantity, or cubic footage ("cubes", "piece count", weight, or item size).
• Loading of LTL cabinets will not start after 2:00 p.m.
• Loading of Fed Ex, UPS, or any expedited services are packaged and loaded by 2:00 p.m.
• All FED EX, UPS, or any other expedited services are shipped out of logistics office & corresponding dock.
• Fed Ex, UPS, are due in the logistics drop off center by 2:00 p.m.. All other Fed Ex, UPS, after 2:00 p.m., will be taken to a local drop box by 4:00 p.m. EST.

Logistics Manager: Derek Doss

Phone # : 574.831.5017 ext. 211

Email: derekdoss@smartcorpllc.com

• Customer scheduled freight
• Call to arrange TL shipments with logistics manager
• Trailers requested 24 hours at a minimum prior to loading
• LTL Customer pick up will stop at 2:00 p.m. Prior arrangements should be made

All carriers should have appropriate information

• Carrier should provide truck drivers with trailer numbers to pick up
• Carrier should provide truck drivers with appropriate shipping destinations prior to arrival
• Corresponding trailer numbers
• All appropriate phone numbers
• All supplier company shipping and receiving hours

Smart Cabinetry will provide appropriate shipping documents

• Bill of lading
• Packing list of shipping manifest
• Appropriate shipping address
• Appropriate contact information and telephone numbers
• Special shipping instructions-Pre arranged with carrier and dispatch

Less-than-Truckload or LTL common carriers move many different customer's shipments on the same truck. Many of these carriers operate on a hub-and-spoke system. This means that they have a local terminal that is responsible for picking up a shipment and then moving all of their shipments into a main shipping hub for their particular region to be sorted and sent to a final destination terminal for delivery.

Traditionally, if your item weighs more than 150 lbs., shipping with an LTL carrier is more economical than using a parcel service. If your shipment weighs more than 8,000 lbs, or takes up more than 12 feet (6 standard pallets) of a truck, you may be better off using a contract carrier. Call Smart Cabinetry Logistics for a current quote by type of shipment.

TL & LTL carriers have add-on charges or accessorial charges for any "special services" that they provide. Anything beyond a simple dock pick-up and dock delivery is considered "special" for TL & LTL carriers. It is extremely important that you as our customer know and understand where your shipment is going and what extra services may be needed. Any unforeseen charges relating to services not identified during the order process by our customers is their responsibility not Smart Cabinetry's. These extra charges are commonly called accessorial charges. All carriers have these published in their Rules tariff which can be from 20 to 200 pages. Some common examples of these would be:

• Lift Gate Pick Up or Delivery
• Residential Pick Up or Delivery
• Inside Pick Up or Delivery
• Appointment Notification Prior to Pick Up or Delivery
• Sort and Segregation by Driver
• Hazardous Materials Fee
• Delay or Detention Time
• Re-consignment Fees
• Convention or Trade Show Deliveries
• Non Commercial & Job Site Deliveries
• Boarder Crossing Fees
• Re-Weigh and Re-Classification
• Billing Change (especially when proper BOL not used)

The carrier defines a business as a location that opens and closes to the general public at set times each day in normal business areas. Due to carriers ability to make timely deliveries, that have additional charges for Limited Access or Non Commercial Pick Ups or Deliveries.

Areas considered to have "Limited Access" include:

• Mini Storage units
• Construction Sites
• Fairs or Carnivals
• Prisons
• Military Bases / Installations

Ares considered to be "Non Commercial" include:

• Private Residences / Apartment Complexes (Residential Delivery)
• Some Schools (especially without receiving docks)
• Churches
• Camps
• Dormitories
• Business conducted from residences

If the driver is required to go inside (beyond the front door or loading dock) to pickup or deliver a load instead of remaining on the dock or in his truck, additional fees may be applied. When the shipping or receiving address does not have a loading dock, manual loading or unloading is necessary.

A lift-gate is a platform at the back of the truck that can raise and lower a shipment from the ground to the truck. Additional fees apply for this service.

A Fuel Surcharge is imposed by carriers when fuel prices reach over certain levels. Fuel Surcharges are usually tied to DOT Fuel Index which is updated weekly. This would be reflected in the rates accessed on http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/diesel.asp, and would explain why the rate may vary slightly week to week. Smart Cabinetry will hold quotes up through the next printed or published weekly DOT Fuel Index.

Transit times are guaranteed only if displayed as "guaranteed" by the carrier's BOL or shipping manifest as requested by you at time of order and listed on your order form or communicated in writing the desire to have your shipment guaranteed. All other transit times are reliable, but not guaranteed. Transit times do not include the day of pickup or Holidays.

No. All LTL, Parcel deliveries are weighed and labeled by certified Elkhart County (Indiana) DOT Weight and Measures Scales. Smart Cabinetry utilizes the latest technology with CNC scales and labels linked to multiple vendor label software.

The rates are based on the information you have given Smart Cabinetry. As long as that information is accurate your rate will not change. All quotes are guaranteed for 1 week. We will hold our quotes and base increases or decreases from the movement in the DOT Fuel Index.

The DOT Fuel Index is published once a week. We understand there are always unforeseen issues that may occur on the job site or during delivery however, if there are charges that are unforeseen during the delivery process they are billable charges to customers and not Smart Cabinetry. To ensure that you receive the rate that we were quoted please make sure all information is accurate and specialized delivery appointments are noted.

There are a couple of alternatives depending on the situation and your needs. When shipping fragile items, it is best to use "Sealed Divider" Services or "Head Loads" or a service that provides smaller vehicles like a courier service i.e. Cargo Vans. We are billed on the lineal footage with a billed minimum lineal footage for the actual service. Cargo Vans or trucking alternatives offer a different alternative to common carriers. Items are never moved and more than likely are a guaranteed delivery.

Liability of claims are directly between Smart Cabinetry, consignee (you our customer) and the carrier. Claims with the carrier will be filed by Smart Cabinetry. Customers should only file for loss or damage on the product which was reported to Smart Cabinetry Customer Service when noticeable damage became obvious.

ALWAYS be as concise as possible in noting specific damage on the delivery receipt or BOL. As a service to our customers, we will assist you in any way possible. We have gone so far as to fill out the claim paperwork for customers and Smart will advise you of the proper backup to send with the freight claim.

Steps prior to filing a claim:

1. When unloading a truck if damage is obvious please remove shipment from the truck and report immediately to Smart Cabinetry Customer Service.
2. Note on bill of lading at time of receipt or receiving process any and all loss or damage that may have occurred in transit and sign bill of lading stating loss.
3. Support your loss with documentation. See forms of documentation below.
4. If you are disputing a specific quantity, please note on bill of lading and mark appropriately on the packing slip or manifest the number of cabinets by part number physically counted next to the number of cabinets stated on manifest or packing slip. Sign bill of lading and appropriately mark "see missing cabinets on manifest or packing slip" Supporting Documentation

Claims must usually be supported by:

• The original bill of lading
• Inspection reports, Reported by Smart Customer Service (Smart Field Service Report)
• Notification of loss
• Waiver of inspection by carrier
• Special documents when appropriate, such as Photographs, Temperature reports, Impact records, Condemnation certificates, Quality control reports, Package certifications, Loading diagrams, Weight certificates, Affidavits, Loading and unloading tallies.

How do I file a freight claim with Smart Cabinetry? (IT IS EASY AND FAST!)

1. Fax signed bill of lading along with packing list or shipping manifest with noted damage or missing cabinets to Smart Customer Service @ 574.831.5017 ext. 214
2. Send supporting documentation immediately so we can in turn inform the carrier.
3. Call Smart Customer service requesting items damaged or lost be replaced immediately.
4. Smart Customer Service will then call informing of resolution of the order and when available to customers. Resolution will be given in less than 24 hours and Orders will be shipped out within 5 -7 business days.

With Smart, our customers have up to 30 days to file a concealed damage claim. Concealed damage is damage that has occurred to the product inside the package yet was not noticeable at the time your freight arrived or when you were unloading the truck. If you do not document on the bill of lading at time of receipt with the drivers signature along with the receiving clerks signature, a freight claim will not be issued and the damage will be considered concealed damage.

We realize we all work in a fast pace environment with many distractions so it is only human to miss a cabinet or two while unloading a truck. Smart Cabinetry has devised a very accommodating concealed damage policy. Our customers have up to 30 days to recognize damage has occurred to their product while in their inventory. When damage is noticed please notify Smart Customer Service immediately and file a claim (see freight claim methods above)

Smart packages all of it's product securely and on pallets wrapped and banded to prevent damage. Secured cartons to the pallet with banding, shrink-wrap, stretch-wrap or breakaway adhesive avoid unnecessary damage. Improper packaging may void the carrier's liability for damage . Stack cartons squarely on the skid with no overhang. Be sure the top surface is flat. Labels must be placed on every piece or package.

No. In predetermined cases this is not a problem, but this is not normal Smart Manufacturing Procedures. Smart Manufacturing is run in a lean efficient manner. We have very little inventory on our plant floor and our goal is to have as stable a manufacturing plan as possible. Variation to that plan costs Smart Cabinetry Money which ultimately is passed on to you. Smart Cabinetry Build Plan calls for the assembly of cabinets one day and the shipment of cabinets the following day. At the end of every day, Smart Manufacturing prepares a "Not Ready" report.

This report gives the Plant Manager, Mr. Danny Fry, and his Team Leaders the ability to replace any components rejected in our quality audits or install any missing or late components not ready to assemble when the job was actually assembled. Jobs are then staged on our docks to load the following day. We pride ourselves for having one of the best on time shipment percentages in the industry greater than 99% ( Please allow a 2-hour window before our docks close from the time you scheduled pick up. Please note that carriers normally make pickups in the afternoon and deliver in the morning.

This is a numeric indicator that specifically identifies each type of product that can be shipped by an LTL carrier. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association reviews and updates these product classifications quarterly. You can contact Smart Logistics at 574.831.5010 to ascertain the NMFC number for your products (Class 125).

A number assigned by the carrier to reference your shipment. It is also used for tracking your shipment.

LTL Carriers commonly use a system of pricing that accounts for weight, as well as density, volume and distance. Dimensional weight is a standard formula used throughout the freight industry that considers a package's density when determining charges. Transportation charges are based on the gross weight of the shipment or the dimensional weight of the shipment; whichever is greater. Simply put, dimensional weight is when the weight of a package is inappropriately less than the actual size of the package. Example: A 10,000 pound shipment of ball bearings takes up less space in a trailer than does 10,000 pounds of cabinets!

When the actual weight of a package is less than the calculated dimensional weight, carriers charge by the dimensional weight. Items that fall into this category are rare but do happen. Here are common items that cost on average more than your normal shipment if shipped on a common carrier.

• 4 x 8 Sheets of Hardwood Plywood
• 6" inch x 6" inch x 8' feet Moulding Boxes
• Tall Cabinets

Smart Cabinetry is all about efficiencies in our operations. While we like all orders and appreciate your business, Smart Cabinetry has spent the entire 2007/2008 year understanding our cost structures. We recognized that orders of a certain size created larger amounts of labor costs and a greater loss of materials i.e. lower yields. We recently changed the amount of standard cubes from 1,000 down to 500 because of the developing information. Our prices did not in fact increase from 2007 to 2008 on flat panel products due to the activity base cost accounting methods recognized in our plants. We strive to maintain order discipline in our manufacturing environment and employ synchronized manufacturing techniques to building cabinets. Our goals include decreasing our costs and increasing our competitiveness.

A charge the motor carrier assesses when a shipper or receiver holds a truck or trailer beyond the free time the carrier allows for loading or unloading. Currently the trucking industry allows our customers 2 free hours to unload their truck. Our policy at Smart along with our carriers is to give our customers 2 free hours of unloading time from the time they show up or from the time of their appointment. We realize that many of you have projects and tight shipping and receiving policies that require strict adherence to the appointment time. So, if our carriers are late the time clock started when there appointment time went into affect. At that point, our customers can move that truck to the end of the line.

At that point our carriers can wait until they are unloaded with out additional costs borne by you. With any policy there must be documentation, so Smart requires all appointment times to be stated at time of order placement and all locations with current contact information to be correct. Smart requires all BOL's to have inbound time documented and outbound time documented and signed by your receiving department or designated consignee. BOL's should have the appointment time written or typed informing carrier of time cabinets are needed. If Smart is charged detention time, our customers will be charged detention time.

Chemtrec should be contacted to identify the composition of materials used by Smart Cabinetry, and can determine the appropriate method of cleaning any spill. Chemtrec is Smart Cabinetry’s 24/7 emergency reporting service, and can be reached at 1 (800) 424-9300 in case of emergency. For more information about Chemtrec visit www.chemtrec.com, or read through their guide for emergency responders here.