Flexport Case Studies Bombas' Exponential Growth and Philanthropy through IoT

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	Bombas' Exponential Growth and Philanthropy through IoT Flexport

Bombas' Exponential Growth and Philanthropy through IoT

Flexport

Technology Category	Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms Wearables - Smart Clothing
Applicable Industries	E-Commerce Transportation
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Last Mile Delivery Supply Chain Visibility
Challenge	Bombas, a New York City-based premium basics brand, faced significant supply chain challenges as it sought to scale its operations to meet rapidly growing demand. The company, which donates an item for every item sold to organizations supporting under-resourced communities, was using manual strategies and spreadsheets to manage their operations. This system was neither strategic nor scalable. The growth of their business precipitated a surge in shipments, and Bombas needed technology to support the volume and diversity of their inbound freight. Additionally, the company was looking to optimize their supply chain operations for growth, and needed a logistics partner who could provide a total supply chain solution. Read More
About Customer	Bombas is a New York City-based premium basics brand with a mission to help those in need. The company, which started by making comfortable socks, now offers a line of items including socks, underwear, and t-shirts. These items are the top three most requested clothing items at homeless shelters, and Bombas donates an item for every item they sell to organizations that support a wide range of unhoused and under-resourced communities. Founded in 2013, Bombas has faced supply chain hurdles from the start as the brand sought to scale its operations to meet quickly-growing demand. From launching new products to managing distribution for its e-commerce, wholesale, and donation business, Bombas has continuously sought to optimize their supply chain operations for growth. Read More
Solution	Bombas turned to Flexport in 2017 for a comprehensive supply chain solution. Flexport's digital platform provided visibility into shipment status and a consultative account team advised on operational strategy. This allowed Bombas to save time and money as they hit critical milestones. Flexport's web-based reporting tools enabled Bombas' small team to manage the growing volume more efficiently. The real-time notifications and transparency provided by the Flexport platform were game changers for Bombas, as they no longer had to guess what was happening with their shipments. Flexport's platform also exposed the fluctuations and seasonality within the freight shipping market, enabling Bombas’ operations team to target certain months to meet demand in a cost-conscious way. Flexport also provided strategic consulting, advising Bombas on logistics strategy as they grew, launched new products, and scaled their impact. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Wearables - Smart Clothing

Applicable Industries

E-Commerce

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Last Mile Delivery

Supply Chain Visibility

Challenge

Bombas, a New York City-based premium basics brand, faced significant supply chain challenges as it sought to scale its operations to meet rapidly growing demand. The company, which donates an item for every item sold to organizations supporting under-resourced communities, was using manual strategies and spreadsheets to manage their operations. This system was neither strategic nor scalable. The growth of their business precipitated a surge in shipments, and Bombas needed technology to support the volume and diversity of their inbound freight. Additionally, the company was looking to optimize their supply chain operations for growth, and needed a logistics partner who could provide a total supply chain solution.

About Customer

Bombas is a New York City-based premium basics brand with a mission to help those in need. The company, which started by making comfortable socks, now offers a line of items including socks, underwear, and t-shirts. These items are the top three most requested clothing items at homeless shelters, and Bombas donates an item for every item they sell to organizations that support a wide range of unhoused and under-resourced communities. Founded in 2013, Bombas has faced supply chain hurdles from the start as the brand sought to scale its operations to meet quickly-growing demand. From launching new products to managing distribution for its e-commerce, wholesale, and donation business, Bombas has continuously sought to optimize their supply chain operations for growth.

Solution

Bombas turned to Flexport in 2017 for a comprehensive supply chain solution. Flexport's digital platform provided visibility into shipment status and a consultative account team advised on operational strategy. This allowed Bombas to save time and money as they hit critical milestones. Flexport's web-based reporting tools enabled Bombas' small team to manage the growing volume more efficiently. The real-time notifications and transparency provided by the Flexport platform were game changers for Bombas, as they no longer had to guess what was happening with their shipments. Flexport's platform also exposed the fluctuations and seasonality within the freight shipping market, enabling Bombas’ operations team to target certain months to meet demand in a cost-conscious way. Flexport also provided strategic consulting, advising Bombas on logistics strategy as they grew, launched new products, and scaled their impact.

Impact #1	The partnership with Flexport has enabled Bombas to continue delivering to both their customers and their Giving Partners even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced a new suite of disruptions. Flexport's creative thinking unlocked cost savings at a time when ocean rates were skyrocketing to all-time highs. They introduced Bombas to locked rates during the pandemic, which allowed them to avoid the crazy rate hikes that occurred during Covid. This improved the likelihood of departure dates and space in a very tight market. Flexport also helped Bombas develop the “Direct to Shelter” distribution model, which enabled Bombas to bypass their distribution center. This model is both the fastest way of delivering donation products to Giving Partners, as well as the most cost-effective freight solution to reach these organizations. With Flexport, Bombas doesn’t need to compromise on their ambitious giving targets—they can pursue both supply chain and impact goals, while achieving faster deliveries and lower costs.

Impact #1

The partnership with Flexport has enabled Bombas to continue delivering to both their customers and their Giving Partners even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced a new suite of disruptions. Flexport's creative thinking unlocked cost savings at a time when ocean rates were skyrocketing to all-time highs. They introduced Bombas to locked rates during the pandemic, which allowed them to avoid the crazy rate hikes that occurred during Covid. This improved the likelihood of departure dates and space in a very tight market. Flexport also helped Bombas develop the “Direct to Shelter” distribution model, which enabled Bombas to bypass their distribution center. This model is both the fastest way of delivering donation products to Giving Partners, as well as the most cost-effective freight solution to reach these organizations. With Flexport, Bombas doesn’t need to compromise on their ambitious giving targets—they can pursue both supply chain and impact goals, while achieving faster deliveries and lower costs.

Benefit #1	30% time saved on reviewing and booking shipments since switching to Flexport
Benefit #2	60 days saved in a special project enabling the donation of 1.2 million socks
Benefit #3	90% reduction in email exchange regarding freight since working on the Flexport platform

Benefit #1

30% time saved on reviewing and booking shipments since switching to Flexport

Benefit #2

60 days saved in a special project enabling the donation of 1.2 million socks

Benefit #3

90% reduction in email exchange regarding freight since working on the Flexport platform

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Overview

Bombas' Exponential Growth and Philanthropy through IoT

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit