How Stryten Energy Drives Budget Certainty and Network Transparency

Stryten Energy, a prominent energy storage solutions provider, sought to establish a more transparent fuel management strategy. Stryten Energy implemented Breakthrough’s suite of solutions that provided a clear, accurate baseline for their fuel costs, brought certainty to their annual budget, and offered deep visibility into market dynamics.

These tools allowed Stryten Energy to move beyond reactive fuel management and build a proactive strategy rooted in data. By leveraging Breakthrough’s Fuel Recovery, T-Fuel, and Capac-ID solutions, the company has gained the confidence to make smarter network decisions, communicate effectively with leadership, and foster stronger, more transparent carrier relationships.

Establishing a foundation of fuel transparency

Stryten Energy’s primary goal was to establish a more robust fuel management program. The company needed a reliable way to understand its costs and establish a performance baseline, moving away from traditional, less precise methods. This initiative was crucial for optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and building confidence within the organization while providing clear, defensible data to leadership.

"The needs we had were really twofold," explained John Hutchison, Director of Logistics at Stryten Energy. "One is we were trying to look really for a way to solidify a fuel solution versus the way that we had done it in the past. This really worked out well for us to understand and get a baseline of how we operated and understood our costs."

Adopting Breakthrough's Fuel Recovery solution provided the transparency Stryten Energy needed. It allowed the team to present fuel costs to leadership with complete assurance. "Hey, these are the fuel costs, and it considers the time, price, tax, and geography of each shipment'" Hutchison added. "Everyone has the confidence now that we know what we're doing, and we are getting the right cost and the savings."

Navigating carrier conversations with data

Implementing a new fuel reimbursement program required careful communication with carriers. Initially, there was some pushback as bulk carriers were unfamiliar with the market-based approach in 2021. Stryten Energy leaned on Breakthrough's expertise to facilitate these conversations and demonstrate the program's fairness. "It was more about engaging with Breakthrough and using their help to have those conversations with the carrier," Hutchison said.

Over time, as more shippers adopted the Fuel Recovery methodology, it became an industry standard. The relationship with Breakthrough proved especially valuable as Stryten Energy’s strategy evolved to gradually increase its fuel efficiency, which required ongoing, data-backed discussions with carriers.

The company also adopted a zero-base rate strategy to separate fuel from linehaul, and create a more straightforward and equitable freight procurement process. This move was a significant step toward total transparency. "We wanted it to be fair for everybody," Hutchison noted. "It made it a lot easier to report out on, and to be able to see the difference between linehaul rates and fuel."

Adding budget certainty with a strategic hedge

With a solid Fuel Recovery program in place, Stryten Energy turned to managing market volatility. Having previously used a different source for hedging, the company saw a natural progression in expanding its relationship with Breakthrough to include T-Fuel. The established trust and Breakthrough's deep understanding of Stryten Energy's network made it a logical next step.

The primary goal was to protect the transportation budget from price fluctuations. "It really helps us cover our long-term budget for the year. We don't hedge a hundred percent, but it's very strategic, and it's really working out well for us," Hutchison shared. This approach provides a crucial layer of financial predictability, allowing the organization to allocate resources with greater confidence.

Unlocking deeper market insights with Capac-ID

To further enhance its strategic capabilities, Stryten Energy turned to its freight network and adopted Capac-ID. The solution offered two key benefits: understanding the true market rate and vetting carriers more effectively. Capac-ID provides insight into actual, executed shipments, giving a more accurate picture of the market.

Stryten Energy also uses Capac-ID as a core component of its carrier vetting process, especially going into an RFP. The tool helps the team identify and select the right partners, whether they are looking for asset-based carriers or brokers, to align with their network strategy.

A more strategic future

The relationship between Stryten Energy and Breakthrough has evolved into a multi-faceted approach. By integrating Fuel Recovery, T-Fuel, and Capac-ID, Stryten Energy has built a transportation strategy that is transparent, predictable, and data-driven. The company now operates with a clear understanding of its costs, protection against market volatility, and unparalleled insight into freight market dynamics. This comprehensive approach empowers Stryten Energy to optimize its network, strengthen carrier relationships, and drive continuous improvement across its operations.