LTL shipping is a great solution for any business trying to transport only a small amount of freight. But make sure you know how to prepare for anything that might go wrong.
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Potential Drawbacks

On the whole, LTL shipping is a dependable, cost-effective way to transport a small amount of cargo, most carriers maintain 97% or better on-time delivery rate. But business owners should be aware of both good and bad potential outcomes. Be prepared to deal with one of these issues when using LTL:

1. Losing the whole shipment
2. Higher risk of damage
3. Monetary drawbacks

1) Losing the Whole Shipment

One of the downfalls of shipping via an LTL carrier is that there is a possibility of the whole shipment not arriving at its destination on time or being lost in transit. As where, if shipped via a parcel CWT program you have a higher probability that most of your order will arrive in the published transit time.

However, an entire LTL shipment is contained in a single truck and rarely is a shipment broken down into a smaller quantity when capacity runs out for the entire order. Anything that delays or damages that single truck will also delay or damage your entire pallet of merchandise.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use a shipment manager or tracker to keep an eye on your LTL freight. This can reduce the risk of your goods being delayed in transit.

2) Higher Risk of Damage

In spite of the fact that there is less handling of the shipment, the risk of damage is actually higher with LTL providers. LTL carriers use forklifts to handle and load the freight, often double-stacking pallets in a trailer as well, making your shipment more susceptible to damage. Proper packaging and the appropriate use of dunnage, as well as blocking and bracing practices, are essential to guarantee a damage-free delivery.

3) Monetary Drawbacks

Lastly, LTL quantities don’t automatically contribute to parcel revenue-based incentives, only if you have negotiated this language into your parcel agreement. Unless your FedEx Freight or UPS Freight contract specifically states so, the revenue tendered to the LTL carrier will not contribute to the incentive received from the parcel carriers.

As well, there are so many more competitors in the industry that you may not even be transporting your LTL freight through the parcel carriers LTL business units. Though LTL shipping will generally save you money, don’t take it as a guarantee in every case. Use a rateshopper to double-check the price.

A Mostly Advantageous Strategy

Depending on your circumstances, the positives of LTL shipping may outweigh the negatives. But don’t make a decision either way without considering the advantages as well as the potential disadvantages. Make the best choice for your shipment and your needs.

Not sure if LTL is right for you? Connect with us for helpful ideas on when to use or pass on LTL shipping plans.

The post The Cons of LTL Shipping appeared first on Freight Cowboy - Shipment Management.

Logistics Solutions

In today’s world, the demands on shipping and logistics companies are higher than ever. Carriers are under pressure, compliance is a complex matter, and customers expect service and updates instantly. To combat this, more shipment managers and carriers are opting for high tech solutions to do some of the work for them.

Automation

Automation plays a huge role in logistics efficiency. Robotics and artificial intelligence allow your shipping partners to save money and teach their machinery to make more accurate predictions when handling orders.

Tracking

An integrated GPS system allows your logistics partner to observe every shipment in real time. Vehicles can be tracked and monitored, preventing delay and loss.

Analytics

Shipping analytics provide quick, valuable insights into how well the process performed. Shipping solutions that offer comprehensive reporting capabilities and easy access to the reports you need make future decision making a breeze.

Transparency

Any shipping logistics broker worth their salt will operate on a system of transparency. Supply chain visibility promotes accountability for brokers and shipping carriers alike. When the process is closely monitored and reported, the potential for mistakes diminishes. When mistakes do occur they are easily spotted and avoided in the future.

A Well-Oiled Machine

Shipment management is a machine, with the warehouses, trucks, and vendors all acting as parts to power it. If they work together to deliver the product on time and undamaged, the customer sees an efficient, powerful machine. From the factory floor to the customer’s door, there is a smooth, timely transfer.

Contact Us to learn more about efficient shipping practices, or to find a rate on our LTL Rate Shopper.

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The Role of Freight Shipping in Pollution

The freight sector represents about 25% of the U.S. transportation sector emissions or about 8% of all U.S. emissions. Since 1990, emissions attributed to freight have climbed 60%, compared to 27% for passenger travel, according to the report. Here are several ways to curb pollution when shipping freight:

Reduce Emissions

There are many ways to reduce emissions during shipping. For truckload or LTL shipping, drivers usually idle the entire time they’re stopped. That can be hours at a time. Turning the truck off for long periods of downtime, or connecting to electric hookups can reduce substantial emissions. Retrofitting old diesel engines with new filters, oxidation catalysts, and other more eco-friendly add-ons is another way to reduce many of the pollutants associated with emissions.

Consolidation

If you have 2 half-filled semi trucks shipping freight West across the country, wouldn’t it make more sense to combine them into 1? Consolidating shipments, also known as LTL shipments, combines freight from different shippers to maximize the space. Obviously, this only works if the shipments are headed in the same direction, but can decrease a lot of waste and unnecessary emissions.

Logistics

Shipment management services provide smart logistics to help you streamline your shipping practices, but also identifies and reduces waste. The typical diesel truck drives empty for about 14,000 miles a year, which wastes upwards of 2,400 gallons of fuel and produces 26.4 tons of emissions. Using analytics and logistics will help ensure that there are fewer empty trucks will save money and significantly reduce emissions.

Minimizing Your Environmental Impact In The Future

As more freight carriers, brokers and shippers become more concerned with the many environmental implications of freight shipping, it will only become more streamlined and better organized. Looking to the future, it seems a safe bet to assume that technology and logistics will make shipping more efficient and eco-friendly.

Contact Us to learn more about how to decrease your environmental impact and find out what makes Freight Cowboy different.

The post 3 Ways to Decrease the Environmental Impact of Road Shipping appeared first on Freight Cowboy - Shipment Management.

Parcel vs Freight

Small parcel shipments usually weigh under 70 pounds, but can’t be more than 150, and are shipped in either your packaging or carrier supplied packing.  Small parcel shipments don’t require pallets and can usually move through a small package shipping system. Let’s say that you have a shipment weighing 270 pounds. You could technically break them up into separate boxes to ship them as parcels, but that requires a lot more work and increases the possibility of loss or damage.

When to Use LTL

In the above example, a 270-pound shipment would be better suited to ship LTL, where it can be palletized. One of the biggest benefits of LTL and freight shipping is the flexibility of combining large and heavy packages into the tightest, safest space possible. LTL saves you money by taking advantage of partial truckloads already headed in the same geographical location.

Comparing Costs

Still not sure what to use? Most reputable shipping brokers offer LTL rate shopping, which is an easy to use carrier comparison tool. Simply enter your start and destination zip code, freight class and weight, and any accessorials, and immediately get rates from major carriers.  

Shipment Management

Another huge benefit of LTL freight shipping is the level of competency shown by shipment managers, who put your satisfaction first. With more experience and a competitive edge, these experts will ensure that you’re getting the best rate and terms.

Nothing to Lose

If you’ve never shipped using LTL or freight before, it may seem like an unfamiliar world. However, parcel shippers who are dealing with LTL shipping for the first time usually find that it’s easier and more cost-effective than parcel shipping. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to a freight broker for guidance!

Contact Us to find out how the right shipping solution can boost your bottom line.

The post Parcel vs Freight: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Freight Cowboy - Shipment Management.

Learning LTL Basics

Freight is collected in one central area from various shippers, sorted at a shipping facility, and then consolidated onto trailers with other shipments headed to the same general geographical area.  When the freight arrives at the final terminal, your items will then be unloaded and transported individually for delivery. Because LTL shipments are smaller they can be easily separated and delivered to a larger number of destinations, whereas a semi is limited.

With competent truckload management, you should receive your shipment in perfect condition, on time and without any problems.
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Reduced Costs

The main advantage to using an LTL carrier is that a shipment can be transported for a fraction of the cost of hiring an entire truck and trailer for a partial shipment.  Think of it this way: If you need a plane ticket to New York, would you rather buy 1 ticket, or book the whole plane? LTL freight rates vary based on a number of factors including the type of freight being shipped, the shipment’s dimensions and the distance it will travel. LTL shipping allows multiple shippers to share space on the same truck. While it’s generally the most cost-efficient option, an experienced broker can use rate comparisons to get you the best freight quote.

Proper Packaging

When moving freight sent via LTL carriers, remember that it will likely be handled several times during transit, often by different carriers. It must be packaged properly in order to protect it from scuffing, crushing, shattering, humidity, and condensation. It’s good practice to load freight onto pallets or package items into crates. Since LTL is less than a full truckload, items must be packaged very well to avoid them bumping around.  Proper packaging helps in the following ways:

• Protects freight from shipping and handling damage.
  
• Protects other freight from being damaged by your shipment.
  
• Reduces package theft or pilferage.
  
• Prevent lost items, wherein some of your freight is separated from the rest and lost.

Reduce Emissions

Combining shipments together via LTL shipping is a cost-effective option for the shipper. In addition, it’s also a more environmentally conscious way to ship. Since LTL shipments allow one truck to carry a full load, rather than multiple trucks carrying loads below their full capacity, there are fewer emissions.

Easy to Track

Supply chain visibility benefits both the customer and the carrier by fostering efficiency.  With tools like GPS tracking and email tracking, the customer can easily track the progress of their shipment. Your freight brokerage works hard to ensure that you are satisfied with the process and informed along the way.

An Efficient Shipping Process

LTL is the ideal shipping method for small businesses and residential customers. Even with all its advantages, LTL comes with its own set of limitations, including longer timelines, delivery issues, and over-handling. An experienced freight broker knows the best practices of LTL and can help you navigate the process and find a solution that will work for your needs.

Contact Us to find a shipping rate that you can live with, and a freight broker you can’t live without!

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