Jim Peterson

Jim….What? You Had a Problem With Us?

It Was Video-Shooting Day at StudioCraft, and the CEO Was Saying What?

  1. We were a little worried there for a minute.

What was Jim Peterson talking about now?

A problem with Zip Xpress?

We were here to shoot a “Raving Fan” video about a customer who liked us a lot and was willing to share the good feelings with others about the high quality and high efficiency of shipping with Zip Xpress.

And Jim Peterson, CEO of his company, StudioCraft, is starting to talk about a problem he’s had with us? Jim … what’s this?

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hotshot ltl

Dear Shippers: It’s Not Your Fault (Well, Maybe a Little Bit)

Industry-wide Loading Inefficiencies Hurt Everyone; They Even Disrespect Our Drivers

Question: What do these industry players all have in common?

  • The manufacturer that simply wants its product out the door and on its way, delivered on time and damage-free
  • The shipping department manager whose sole focus is the cheapest carrier today, right now, on this immediate delivery
  • The third-party logistics rep whose single-minded measure of success is moving the product down the road on the shipper’s timeline

Answer: With their narrowly focused, niche perspectives on the supply-chain process, they’re all part of a big problem.

They’re all contributing to huge inefficiencies that are costing “us” dearly … all of “us” in a North American economy that lives and dies by the truck.

We can do better.

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Kelly Cutler

Trust, Track Record of Service, Personal Touch Always

To Build Business Friendships, Everything Matters … Every Single Time

‘All I have to do is pick up the phone, call them, and I’m taken care of on the spot’

Kelly Cutler-Shafer, Transportation Manager for Charter House Innovations – on working with Zip Xpress

Yes, facing the bright lights and a video crew made Kelly a little nervous. Actually, a lot nervous, she said.

When your daily work life revolves around your company trucks, the back-end docks, and all your drivers and loaders, well, being the star of a video shoot is a pretty weird way to start the day.

But thank you, Kelly Cutler-Shafer, for playing nice and letting us do a video of your company’s satisfaction with our shipping services.

Actually, you were awesome on camera, Kelly, and this linked Raving Fan spot proves it!

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Response to Recent Crain’s Article on ‘Driver Shortages’

Nice Try on Driver Shortages, But You Were Way Short of the Whole Story

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In order to serve the customer with efficient, fully optimized loading…it takes a spotless and well-organized facility. Chaotic, dingy, outdated shipping departments are way too common in our business. This is a photo of the ZipXpress facility in Holland, Michigan.

Shame on All of Us for Our Thoughtless, Inefficient Shipping Habits, Load After Load, Year After Year

Many thanks, Crain’s Guest Blogger Lisa Katz, for your thoughtful take on the very real challenges of making a top-dollar living as a driver. Earning those higher annual incomes in the business often means a serious commitment to time on the road. It’s no easy life, that’s for sure.

No thanks, however, Ms. Katz, for ignoring the elephant in the room when it comes to driver shortages. Even when drivers’ annual compensation ranges from good to great, the North American trucking industry will continue to experience shortages.

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LABOR DAY TRUCK PARADE

Respect That Road Pilot, Please

‘Remember When We Honored Driving as a Worthy Public Service, Like Policing and Firefighting?’

Around Labor Day, the time of year when Americans honor the workforce in all its job types and places of employment, I challenge you to think about the men and women who help make our economy’s supply chain a reality.

It’s a fact … Drivers are a true driving force of our economy.

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