We all know that Santa’s sleigh is the most efficient way to deliver freight but of course that can’t happen but once a year. On a serious note, the holidays are a busy time of year for shipping freight and it is the perfect time to review your current shipping regimen to avoid stress during this busy time of year.

Great freight shipping services are about preparation and management.  It is crucial to avoid issues in shipping and those that can’t be avoided are addressed quickly to avoid delays.  This is especially true during peak times when there is an increase in the volume of shipments.  Increases in volume can often lead to challenges that are new and unexpected.  This happens in many businesses not just those shipping freight.

Here are some of the major considerations when shipping from large shipments of freight to small e-commerce shipments.

Historical Freight Trends and Shipping Forecasts

Anyone that has been running a business that ships freight, big or small, should understand the shipping process.  There is no reason to go into a busy shipping season unprepared.  You can prepare yourself by simply looking into previous year’s sales and shipping records and your growth as a business to forecast what they should expect.

Newer companies do not have this luxury.  They have not had the experience a busy holiday season to prepare them for what’s to come.  This can be quite the uphill battle.  New businesses must take into consideration the increase in shipping volumes, the frequency of shipments, and destination delivery expectations.

In order to get a sense for what you can expect, take a look at the busiest time period of your company that you have experienced and prepare yourself for something similar.  Make sure to consider if your goods are something that make a great Christmas gift, if so, the shipping surge could be even greater.  Expect this surge in sales.

Shipping Cutoff Times

Many times, online shoppers can be quite cautious when making purchases during the holiday season to ensure the product will arrive in plenty of time. Make your shipping cut off dates and delivery schedule well known on your website.  Without this information front and center many times buyers will shy away.  Buyers are looking for assurance that their presents will arrive in time for the holiday.

Take time to post your shipping schedule and cut off times on your company’s blog, newsletter, and social media platforms.

Tunnel Vision

Many times, we get caught up in the way things have always been done and are afraid to change.  This occurs all the time between shippers and the way that they ship freight.  Often times the cost of freight is fixed when you use the same freight provider.    It is important not to get stuck in the way that things were always done and instead carefully consider your choices.  You need to evaluate your shipping factors from the size of the shipments including the height, length, width, and weight.  Analyze these factors carefully and make a shipping decision based on all the available options.  What is right for your business may not be what you have always done but in fact could be something new. Choose the shipping option that is best for you.

Online shipping services can enhance your shipping experience.  Take into consideration if the freight carrier you are looking into have online capabilities.  These may include: tracking features, optimization features for both time and money, enhanced productivity, and faster deliveries.

Matrix Transportation is the fastest growing freight transport company in the Midwest, founded in 2009.  As an up and coming industry leader in freight management including shipping, warehousing, and cross docking services with the highest quality transportation solutions for the manufacturing and automotive industries. More information can be found at http://www.matrixtransportation.com/.

There is an assumption when it comes to shipping freight and costs associated with it that prices are set in stone and there really isn’t anything you can do to change it.  Just because your company has always shipped in the manner that they do does not mean that there isn’t a better way out there to do it. Technology has come along way since many business’s integrated their shipping process into the supply chain.   It may just be time to reevaluate the way in which your company ships freight.

Reducing Freight Costs

Night Time Fright Pick Ups –

Scheduling freight picks up after regular business hours can save a business upwards of 50%.  This is a relatively simple change that can be put into place and works well for companies that have more than one shift.  Freight companies are on the go 24/7 with most of their pickups and deliveries during normal business hours.  Offering pickups at night allows shippers to free up some of that precious daytime schedule.

Contract Steady Lane Volume –

Anytime you can guarantee, in the form of a contract, shipments, carriers are more likely to cut you a deal.  When a carrier can build their schedule around guaranteed shipments, allowing for increased efficiency it benefits both of you.  Carriers are more likely to make room on shipments for loyal customers with contracts in place.

Off-Peak Ship Days:

Who knew that the day you send your shipment could affect the price you pay, but it does.  Fridays and Mondays are both considered off days for shipping freight.  Most companies want their shipments to be in place by Thursday in order to allow for them to be shelved by the weekend.  Monday is another light day for carriers and a good day to ship if your company is looking to save money on freight.  Off-peak shipping may not be an option for fresh goods however for non-consumer goods it is a good option.

Develop Relationships –

Don’t Fall for Special Introductory Rates:  It may be tempting to be a rate jumper but in actuality it can hurt you a great deal because you never have time to develop a relationship with the carrier.  Severing relationships with new carriers each and every year is not the best approach.  A better option is to create a long-term relationship with your carrier.  This allows you, the shipper to create a strategic, long-term relationship with their carriers.  Longer term contracts offer benefits for both carriers and shippers.

Matrix Transportation is the fastest growing freight transport company in the Midwest, founded in 2009.  As an up and coming industry leader in freight management including shipping, warehousing, and cross docking services with the highest quality transportation solutions for the manufacturing and automotive industries. More information can be found at http://www.matrixtransportation.com/.

Among other businesses manufacturing companies often need to ship their products to warehouses and to market. If you have a new business that ships freight as part of your business, you may be wondering whether you should hire a freight carrier service or a freight forwarder to get your goods to market. To decide which type of company to choose when shipping your freight, you need to know the difference between freight forwarders and freight carriers.

A freight forwarder is company that works as a middle man between the company needing to ship the product and the freight trucking company that carries the freight. They arrange for various companies to haul your goods from point A to B sometimes involving several different freight carrier services to transport your goods.

A freight carrier on the other hand is the company that hauls your freight from point A to point B. While both types of companies will get your goods where they need to go there are some benefits to you working with the freight carrier service directly.

These benefits include:

Cutting Out the Middle Man

When hiring a freight forwarder, you often pay more money to ship your goods because you need to pay the freight trucking company’s cost for hauling your goods and pay an addition fee to the forwarder for arranging for the hauling of your freight. Over the course of a year this can end up costing your hundreds if not thousands of dollars more to ship your goods. You have no control over the freight carrier service the forwarder selects and less control of amount of your shipping costs. By cutting out the middle man and hiring the freight trucking company yourself you likely will end up paying less to get your goods to market.

Ability to Negotiate Shipping Rates Yourself

By dealing with the freight carrier Service directly you are able to negotiate yourself for a better rate than you might otherwise get. Since cost is a large part of doing business having more control over your shipping costs may make the difference between success of your business or its failure. Depending on the amount of goods you need to ship you can often negotiate much better rates than you get through a Freight Forwarder.

You Can Choose A Company You Trust

Another important benefit of hiring the freight carrier service yourself is that you can choose the company of your choice and one that you trust. You also have the ability of forming an excellent working relationship with a specific freight trucking and building a relationship of trust and may be able to form a relationship where the Freight carrier service comes to depend on your business and will go the extra mile to see that your goods are delivered on time.

While both the freight forwards and the freight carrier will get your goods to market, hiring a freight carrier service yourself to hire your goods has some distinct benefits.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

On paper, parcel and less than truckload shipping may seem similar. However, there are plenty of differences between the two. Wondering what these differences are? You will find your answers in this post.

Size of the Package

Also known as LTL trucking, less than truckload shipping generally carries large packages. Hence, if you have a bulky package, LTL shipping is a better option for you out of the two. On the other hand, parcel shipping is preferred by many people for smaller and lightweight packages.

Damage Risk Factor

Another differentiating factor between the two options is the risk of damage. With LTL trucking, the risk is relatively lower since there are limited check-ins as they are bulky. Thus, fewer hands on the packages and ultimately fewer chances of damage. However, it depends on freight trucking specialists who are at the helm of shipping parcels.

Cost-Efficient

Parcel shipping is considered to be more a cost-efficient way to ship goods. The major reason why LTL trucking rates are higher is their bulky size. They end up consuming more space; thus, the more charges are applied by the freight trucking specialists. There is no such issue with parcel shipping; therefore, charges are generally lower.

Easy Tracking

With parcel shipping, there is an added benefit of easy tracking. This is due to the fact that there are different checkpoints through which packages in a parcel shipping method have to go through. Hence, it is easy to locate the parcel when it is in the shipping phase.

Risk of Losing a Parcel

The risk of losing the package is greater in case of parcel shipping. As parcels are less than 150 pounds, they can easily be misplaced or lost. On the other hand, no such issue is associated with LTL shipping. The parcels in LTL shipping, as stated above, are generally bulky. They need assistance to be carried, unlike parcel shipping. Therefore, the chances of losing a package are quite fewer with LTL shipping.

The Shape of the Parcel

If you have packages in a unique shape, it is recommended to go for LTL shipping. The reason behind this recommendation is that LTL carriers generally use forklifts instead of conveyor belts. On conveyor belts, oddly shaped packages are often at the risk of falling off the belt. Hence, they can sustain damages.

Technological Advancement

When it comes to technological advanced, parcel shipping has surged ahead of LTL shipping. It is more automated; the process of carrying goods is more streamlined.

Chances of Delay

Chances of delay are more in case of parcel shipping. This is because packages are initially loaded onto pallets. Then, they are distributed into small trunks. These trunks then reach a delivery van from where they are sent to the recipients.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

LTL freight shipping or less-than-truckload shipping is a way of transportation used for carrying products from one place to another which do not fill the space of the container or tuck fully. LTL trucking is good for small and large businesses equally which do not require to load the truck fully. Through this system they can pool in money like a “carpool”, according to the number of products that they want transported without having to fill the truck space fully. It is cost effective and goods are moved efficiently by LTL carriers which optimized their load.

There are many companies who provide services as freight trucking specialists. These companies help you to find the right carrier for your goods transportation but also make sure that your goods have been reached safely to the destination.

Pricing of LTL Freight

The freight trucking specialists will make parcels packages of your products and will determine how much it will cost to transport the load from point A to point B according to the following five factors:

• The total weight of your shipment
• Total size of your shipment
• The total distance the carrier is travelling
• The type of service or type of speed of the delivery
• Freight class; which is based on the goods transported or their shipment size

Benefits of LTL Shipment

LTL trucking has several benefits due to its efficient delivery and speedy service.

1. Cost Effectiveness

In LTL trucking, you can save unnecessary expenditure as you will only pay for space your load is occupying. In this way you will not have to pay the extra amount which is required in FTL trucking.

2. Beneficial For Small Business

Small businesses require the transportation services for moving fewer goods than large business and tend to spend less on the transportation charges. That is why they can avail services from freight trucking specialists to cut the cost of paying for spaces that they don’t require.

3. Environmentally Friendly

The trucks produce fewer emissions as the trucks are fully loaded in LTL trucking. Fewer trucks are required on the move rather than a lot of half or partially filled FTL trucks. Thus, it results in a positive impact on the environment.

Services Provided by Freight Trucking Specialists

There are several stages in the process of transporting the load from one place to another. The freight trucking specialists not only meet a single logistic need but can also improve the transportation program of your company. They provide services for:

• Booking your shipments
• Finding the most suitable carrier for your load
• Making sure that you get the best rates
• Speedy delivery of your goods
• Providing tracking and tracing services
• Providing delivery flexibility to any location
• Assisting in customs clearance in case of cross country deliver
• Providing trained drivers for safe transport and delivery of your goods

LTL trucking gives you a much faster and cost-effective solution for the transportation needs of your company. We hope this article gives you an understanding to LTL freight trucking. For any further information feel free to contact us.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

Do you ever wonder why some freight trucking companies are profitable? It takes more than knowing how to choose a good route or having the best drivers who know a trick or two about making prompt deliveries. The trucking business is incredibly competitive, and aside from having the right equipment for your company, the smart way to run such a business is to use load boards because they are not only extremely competitive, but it’s also the one way to get quality customers.

Individuals that operate freight trucking companies also know the importance of keeping on top of their expenses in the way of maintenance, truck repairs, truck and trailer payments, fuel, and the cost of their work. Therefore, they must be able to bid low enough to be competitive, but high enough to be profitable and remain relevant in their line of work.

It can be challenging to compete for jobs against other lower-biding freight trucking companies and still keep estimates at a reasonable rate. Low bids can mean anything from shipping delays, safety violations, low-quality products, all which can affect the profitability and reputation of freight trucking companies. With costs like fuel increasing every other minute, expenses can get ahead of revenues, and FTL trucking companies must always look for innovative ways to improve their cash flow to prevent issues like running out of cash-flow or the inability to pull loads until clients start paying.

Choosing low bids may prevent competitors from stealing your customers for some time, and it may also be beneficial, especially for a novice contractor that needs to build their client base, but lower bids can also tell a client a lot about how you are likely to perform and deliver in the long-term. A client may see it as your way of short-changing them in the future should the need arise where you can deliver on your promises. The lowest bids could also mean that customers don’t get additional services when they need them such as on-going support or after-sale services.

The FTL trucking business runs on efficiency and customers need to know that freight trucking companies will always deliver their goods, regardless of the bid (high or low) even in the worst of time. Therefore, bids should be just right in order to prevent the costs of deadhead miles outweighing profits.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

Your products need to get to their destination and unless you have your own trucks or shipping company, you’re most likely going to use a third-party freight company. With so many out there these days, finding the right one can be overwhelming and frustrating. You want to make sure that you choose the right freight transport company to handle your goods with care and get them to their destination on time. In order to help you with your search, here are some tips on how to choose the right freight company for the job:

Understanding the Freight Services, You Need

In order to find the right freight company, you’ll have to first understand what sort of freight services are needed in order to choose the one that best fits in with your needs. You’ll have to determine your transportation preference, if you’ll need and specific services and all the details of what you plan to ship before you contact a company. Put together a list of things you want like time frame, speed delivery, special packaging and more so that you’re clear on your needs.

Take Time to Research the Industry

By doing a bit of research on the freight services industry, you’ll be able to understand better what a freight transportation company will and won’t do for you. The research will help you understand various industry terms and regulations that will impact your choice of what company to go with.

Trust Your Gut to Go with Experience

When looking for freight services, you’ll want to go with a company that not only offers a great price, but also has years of experience in the industry. When a company has experience, they know how to handle packages and what it means to provide excellent customer service since they’ve been doing it for so long. If you can, get references to help you make your decision based on what others have said or experienced with that company.

Look for Great Customer Service

The right freight company is the one that will provide the best customers service. You want to make sure the company will communicate well with your about the service from the day they get your goods to the day they deliver them.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

When it comes to growing your business, it is important to work with a company that offers complete and reliable freight services.  Your success comes from a number of elements working together throughout your business most of which rely on the support of a consistent logistics provider.  Reliable transportation services are used to keep the flow of products coming and going in an efficient manner.  This is done by finding a logistics partner that offers an approach to your freight distribution that is strategic to your business’s needs.

Key parameters to evaluate freight partners:

• Logistic support that aligns with your time and budget constraints: Logistic partners must understand that each company has individual requirements in regards to their unique time limitations and regulated budget. Different levels within your company may have differing needs when it comes to time and budgets, so it is important that the logistics support received adjust with each unique layer of your business as needed.

• Logistic support that offers one unified system for your freight transportation needs: When logistic support comes from one complete system there are fewer hassles and less costs associated with service. It allows employees to be trained and rely on one platform thus avoiding unnecessary training and outside support services.

• Logistic support that provides automated processes for your specific company: Not all logistic support services can be automated however when services can be they should be.  Automated services allow for more efficient and quicker results.

• Logistic support that is trackable through a single dashboard: Logistics that can be controlled and tracked through one platform helps to create a sound system. One reliable point of access for logistics allows for a perfect flow of service.

• Logistic support that handles your freight management challenges: When challenges arise, you want a logistic team that can handle the complications and create solutions that are optimized for results.

• Logistic support that performs even during peak periods: It should not matter when services are needed your logistic support team should perform as expected every time. Whether it is during a period of slow operations or peak plus logistics support should allow you to flawlessly operate.

• Logistic support that helps you stay ahead of competitors: If logistics support providers are working to grow their technology and business delivery then they won’t be able to do this for you. Growth within their operations will transfer to you which allows you to stay one step ahead of your competition.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

For businesses that ship out products throughout the nation it is important to know the differences between LTL and FTL freight shipping options. It is obviously important for businesses to save as much money as possible on shipping costs for products, but this is especially true if you want to save money on large shipments that weigh more than 100 pounds.

Your best two options in shipping large orders are Less Than Truckload Shipping (LTL) and Full Truckload Shipping (FTL).  It not only makes sense to look for an affordable trucking company to ship your products it is crucial to work with companies that offer personal customer service, on-time shipments, and guarantees that your products are delivered as intended.

Consider the following differences in shipping LTL and FTL in order to make an informed decision for your company’s products.

Full Truckload Shipping

One of two things are possible when you hire a full truckload:

• You have a shipment that will fill an entire truck.
• You have a shipment that will not fill the whole truck, but you want a truck dedicated to only your shipment.

Most business’s that choose FTL freight shipping do so because they are shipping more than ten pallets, any which are considered high-risk packages.  This option is also plausible if you are short on time to have your shipment delivered.  FTL is a faster shipping option than LTL.  Full truckload shipping usually costs more than less than truckload shipping mainly because it will get your shipment to where ever it needs to be much faster.

Less Than Truckload Shipping

Unlike FTL, LTL shipping is when you share one truck with multiple other customers. It’s a more budget-friendly option for companies who are shipping average or stable products. The cost of the transportation for the goods is shared with all the companies using the third-party logistics company and their freight truck.

Companies only pay for how much space their product is taking up and how far it takes to get their products to their final destination. But since the freight shipping truck will make multiple stops, it’ll take longer to ship your product.  Shipments that range from 100 pounds to 10,000 pounds can be shipped using this method, while those higher than 10,000 FTL will be the viable option.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.