Interview with Giles Taylor

Sep 25

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 | 00:42 | Episode 38

Logistics Lessons—Unpacking 25 Years of Supply Chain Success

Giles Taylor, the founder of Trans-solutions, shares his journey from working in the maritime industry to starting his own logistics company. Trans-solutions specializes in optimizing transportation and offering engineering solutions for businesses. Giles discusses the evolution of the logistics industry and the unique challenges and opportunities in the parcel shipping sector. He emphasizes the importance of negotiation and optimization in saving companies money on shipping costs. Trans-solutions has been self-funded with occasional use of a line of credit. Giles Taylor discusses the evolution of data management in his company, the challenges of negotiating with shipping integrators, and the importance of having the right team. He also shares his experience of making mistakes and the lessons he learned from them. Giles talks about the process of being acquired and how he found the right buyer for his company. He reflects on the source of his grit and the mindset that has driven his success.

ABOUT MY GUEST

Giles Taylor founder of Trans-solutions

Giles is a supply chain professional with over 40 years of progressive operations management and consulting experience. This unusual mix of experiences enables him to incorporate the shipper’s and consultants’ perspective into solutions. Giles started his supply chain carrier as a Merchant Marine Officer working on oil tankers, RORO’s, container shipments, ferries, and yachts. After swallowing the anchor, he went to work for General Dynamics as a Production Engineer, planning the buildout of these nuclear submarines. While at GD, he earned an MBA, with a concentration in Operations Management and was recruited by Ames Department Stores as an Industrial Engineering where he developed efficient layouts, processes, and methods, implemented time management processes, incentive programs, and Capital Expense justifications. An opportunity presented itself to apply for an operations position and he grabbed it. As the Operations Manager of a ½ million Sq. Ft. automated facility he was able to understand the day-to-day challenges of running a distribution center and managing people. He was again recruited to run the west coast distribution for EMI Music in Los Angeles. This is the distribution arm of record labels like Capitol Records, EMI Music, Virgin Records and many more. After engineering himself out of job, he was promoted to run the transportation for the entire company. Having always been familiar with the sea and sailing, Giles was recruited to Direct all distribution for West Marine. The largest retailer, wholesaler and e-tailer of boating supplies in the world. This was a period of rapid growth for the company, increasing revenue 3-fold in 3 years. Wanting to raise his kids in New England, Giles and his family moved back to Boston to head up supply chain for Trend-lines a midsize retailer, wholesaler, and e-tailer company, as Vice President of Operations. His entrepreneurial itch could not be suppressed any longer, so he started Trans-solutions in 1998 to help companies improve their transportation operations and lower costs. Trans-solutions has completed multiple projects that include all modes and methods of transportation of goods with spends from $1m to $1b. Giles has personally conducted and completed hundreds of transportation audits and assessments that have saved companies in excess of $450m.

Summary

Giles Taylor, the founder of Trans Solutions, shares his journey from working in the maritime industry to starting his own logistics company. Trans Solutions specializes in optimizing transportation and offering engineering solutions for businesses. Giles discusses the evolution of the logistics industry and the unique challenges and opportunities in the parcel shipping sector. He emphasizes the importance of negotiation and optimization in saving companies money on shipping costs. Trans Solutions has been self-funded with occasional use of a line of credit. Giles Taylor discusses the evolution of data management in his company, the challenges of negotiating with shipping integrators, and the importance of having the right team. He also shares his experience of making mistakes and the lessons he learned from them. Giles talks about the process of being acquired and how he found the right buyer for his company. He reflects on the source of his grit and the mindset that has driven his success.

Takeaways

Giles Taylor's background in engineering, operations management, and transportation led him to start Trans-solutions
Trans-solutions specializes in optimizing transportation and offering engineering solutions for businesses
The parcel shipping sector presents unique challenges and opportunities for cost savings
Negotiation and optimization are key in saving companies money on shipping costs
Trans-solutions has been self-funded with occasional use of a line of credit