October 4, 2023

The Power of Partnership with PGT: Spotlight on Lean Solutions Group

In today’s fast-paced business world, organizations are constantly seeking ways to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and focus on their core competencies. One increasingly popular strategy for achieving these goals is outsourcing back-office support functions. According to Statista, 66% of American companies employed outsourcing to optimize their operations and attain positive outcomes. By delegating non-core responsibilities to specialized service providers, organizations can redirect their efforts toward core strengths, expedite their expansion, and secure a competitive advantage. It is no different within the trucking industry, where teams manage thousands of service routes annually, handle extensive paperwork for both incoming and outgoing shipments, and accurately process payment information. Among the numerous outsourcing options available, partnering with Hispanic companies like Lean Solutions Group has emerged as a powerful and cost-effective solution.

Lean Solutions Group was founded in 2012 in Colombia, expanding its footprint now to Guatemala, Mexico, and the Philippines with more than 9,000 employees. Lean Solutions Group has been on the INC 5000 fastest growing private companies in America list for four years straight. Their service offerings include back-office support, technology, marketing, sales, customer service and more.

Expertise and Efficiency

Prior to launching Lean Solutions in 2012, the founders of Lean Solutions Group both owned companies in the Transportation and Logistics industry. PGT Trucking recognized their experience and familiarity in this sector, and in 2019, initiated a partnership to assist our Billing and Collections department, providing additional support to our flatbed truck drivers, transportation customers and operational staff. Lean Solutions has a unique understanding of the operational gaps within the transportation and logistics industry, and they have leveraged that knowledge to help PGT with our administrative tasks. 

Lean Solutions specializes in a wide range of support functions, including data entry, customer support, payroll processing and more. Their experienced professionals are dedicated to delivering accurate and efficient services, enabling their customers, like PGT Trucking, to focus on their core business activities. By integrating Lean Solutions’ experts into our team, we were able to enhance our accuracy and efficiency, freeing up valuable time and resources for additional initiatives. 

Scalability and Flexibility

Outsourcing support departments helps businesses manage fluctuating demands on the fly. Having the flexibility to hire a contractor with specific knowledge or skill sets keeps departments within budget without having to hire a full-time staff expert. 

Lean Solutions has been able to successfully adapt to PGT Trucking’s evolving needs. Whether it has been for a short-term project or long-term departmental support, they offer scalability and flexibility that can accommodate our demands. 

When PGT Trucking first partnered with Lean Solutions, there were four team members working alongside our in-house Billing and Collections team. In the last four years, our Colombian team has expanded to 16 professionals who support our Brokerage, Load Center, Safety, and Compliance departments, as well as Billing and Collections.  

“Working with PGT has been a rewarding experience, as it has helped me grow as a person and as a professional,” said Delma Rodriguez, Lean Solutions Account Manager. “I am grateful to this company, which has placed trust in me to lead PGT Colombia. Getting to know these excellent people and colleagues who have worked alongside me, with the best disposition and commitment to carry out our goals, I have no words to express my gratitude to PGT.” 

Delma is one of PGT’s most experienced Billing Specialists, spending nearly four years with PGT. Delma plays a huge role in our team’s success, helping to hire, train and promote PGT’s customer service culture at PGT Colombia. Delma’s contributions ensure that our customers are accurately and timely invoiced for their shipments, and she leads our South American team with a positive and cheerful attitude.

Cultural Affinity and Language Proficiency

One of the standout advantages of outsourcing to Hispanic companies is the cultural affinity and language proficiency they bring to the table. Lean Solutions, for instance, is well-versed in both Spanish and English, enabling seamless communication across different regions. This linguistic proficiency ensures clarity, accuracy, and a deeper understanding of PGT’s business needs.  

PGT’s relationship with Lean Solutions is dependent on effective communication and the trust we have built over the years. Our team at Lean Solutions is committed and driven to meet deadlines and exceed goals month after month. Fully integrated into PGT’s corporate staff, the Barranquilla team joins our weekly, company-wide Zoom calls, receives all company communications and takes part in daily departmental meetings.  

Colombia’s vibrant culture has given new life to PGT’s Billing and Collections team. The PGT team meets bi-annually with our Lean Solutions team members in Barranquilla, Colombia, to learn new processes, build relationships, and trouble-shoot pain points. Lean Solutions provides a fresh and unique perspective to PGT’s operations, helping us to elevate our service with a cultural flair. 

“The last four years has been a valuable and fulfilling journey,” said Priscilla Ibarra, Lean Solutions Group Senior Collection Specialist.  “I’ve had the opportunity to watch my colleagues grow personally and professionally, and so have I. I’ve learned and developed skills I didn’t know I had, and I continue to develop a deep understanding of PGT’s processes and culture. And the most important part of this journey has been the friends PGT gave me.” 

Cost-Effective Solutions

Cost-effectiveness is often the primary driver behind the outsourcing trend. Hispanic companies like Lean Solutions offer competitive pricing models, providing high-quality services at a fraction of the cost of in-house operations. By partnering with Lean Solutions, PGT has been able to allocate our internal resources more strategically and drive our growth and success in the trucking industry, including: 

  • Reduced turnover
  • Access to trained bilingual professionals who have quickly adapted to our industry 
  • On-site management team that oversees our employees  
  • Ability to scale our services up or down with minimal financial impact  

“Our partnership with Lean Solutions Group has been a highlight during my time at PGT,” said Andrew Nichols, PGT Trucking Administration Manager. “It has been an honor and a joy to get to know these men and women. I have had the opportunity to travel to their country, try their food, learn more about their rich culture and the history of the country. Although they often work behind the scenes, our team is hard-working, diligent, and FUN. Their commitment to service our customers and drivers with a smile on their face does not go unnoticed.”  

Become a PGT Proud Professional

A core value at PGT Trucking is FAMILY, and while there are over 2,000 miles separating our headquarters in Aliquippa, PA, from Barranquilla, this value still holds true. PGT is proud to employ drivers and staff of diverse backgrounds, and during National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the cultural influences from the Hispanic community. They have strong roots from Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Argentina and other Latin American countries. They are truck drivers, billing specialists, recruiters, safety personnel, risk analysts, fleet managers and more. Everyone at PGT is part of the family. Join us!

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