We wish all of our stakeholders Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! You have brought us so many blessings and we’re eternally grateful for everything everyone has done for us!
2019 has been a monumental year and we’re looking forward to serving you well into the the next decade. Here’s to a great 2020 for everyone!
Any functional organization knows the risks they face on a daily basis, and these can be seen throughout any department. The supply chain is no exception, and may even be the side of business where the most risk is taken on. From economic and governmental factors to extreme weather and traffic accidents, there are a lot of things that can affect an organization’s ability to manufacture and deliver a product. Risk Management can be an intimidating and abstract field at times, but it is an essential task for any strong supply chain to take seriously.
One of the keys to effectively managing risk is to take a proactive approach to accurate forecasting and supplier and vendor evaluation. Forecast accuracy allows a company to plan for product shortage, whether it happens due to production failure or on the delivering end because of a closed down highway. In assessing these sort of risks, manufacturers can determine what amount of surplus product would be sufficient to replace damaged or missing product.
On top of this, any company should do their best to evaluate the health and reliability of their vendors and suppliers. This includes working closely with carriers who are shipping product and who are ultimately responsible for timely delivery. If they have a transparent process and take tracking and problem-solving seriously, they are a better carrier partner than those who provide no visibility and try to take a hands-off approach.
At Zip Xpress, we understand that you’re taking a major step in managing your transportation risk. We are committed to providing top-notch customer service and maintaining a transparent, proactive solution to your supply chain needs. As anyone in the logistics world knows, there are always going to be unexpected delays. We can’t always have control over them, but we can take the steps to properly communicate and get to work on fixing the problem before it’s too late. To see how we can minimize your risk on the road, start today with Zip Xpress!
With 2020 rapidly approaching, many companies are committing to improving their supply chains. In some cases, this means choosing a carrier to handle their most vital transportation needs. With such a large pool of carriers available, it can be a challenge to decide which one to go with. Depending on your service requirements, you probably have some research to do, but you should always consider some of the most important qualities to look for in a carrier.
Reliability, timeliness, and communication are essential traits for any quality carrier. You want to make sure that trucks are going to show up and deliver on time. However, it is inevitable that there will be bumps in the road and problems that will need to be solved. This is where communication comes in. The best carriers are those who take a proactive approach and communicate with their customers as soon as any problems arise. This way, you can work together to solve the problem and minimize any damage that might be done. Even if the shipment is still on schedule, it is vital for carrier representatives to keep the customer informed of any status change.
At Zip Xpress, we understand how vital it is to be a reliable carrier. We are one of the most trusted when it comes to our shipment schedules and ensuring your freight will be delivered on time and undamaged every time. Our creative suite of services such as headload and expedited LTL shipping allow for flexibility and give you plenty of options. We’ll communicate with you every step of the way and ensure your satisfaction. To see our passion and dedication to being an ideal carrier, start today with Zip Xpress!
As the world economy becomes more globalized and technology brings everything closer, the international market has essentially become a 24/7 operation. This is especially true on the logistics side of things, where a delay hundreds of miles away could spell disaster in a completely different time zone. Workers in the logistics sector are often on-call and expected to tackle challenges at all times of day because freight, quite simply, doesn’t stop. While hard work comes with the territory, logistics workers must be careful that they don’t end up burning out from spreading themselves too thin.
Everyone from truck drivers to accounting clerks in the logistics realms can work long hours and take on grueling tasks. But no matter what position you might hold, you should be mindful of your personal life and remember to take a step back every now and then. Don’t be afraid of taking a vacation – companies shouldn’t stigmatize you for using your hard-earned time off. In fact, a vacation can be the perfect way to escape the day-to-day stress of logistics and return to work with a fresher, more positive outlook.
If you feel yourself burning out and a vacation isn’t yet in the cards, there are smaller ways to relieve your frustrations. Even a lunch break can be a welcome change of pace. This means leaving the office and sitting down somewhere for at least a half hour. We often forget to enjoy our meals, instead rushing them back to our desk where we work and eat at the same time. After work, try to set aside at least a few hours to stay off your phone and away from your computer – this way you won’t have to think about potential problems before you fall asleep.
At Zip Xpress, we understand that burnout is a very real problem in corporate America, and the logistics industry can be highly unforgiving. Still, it is vital to take a breath and remember that you have a life to live. We try to create a culture that helps people when they need it, celebrates small victories and are always searching for ways to add enjoyment to our work. We understand that small, personal victories throughout the day can help you get through even the most hectic and stressful times because we need creative solutions to these complex problems. To see how our talented employees can provide solutions to your shipping problems, start today with Zip Xpress!
The past few years have seen some stark changes in the trucking industry, with many stemming from new rules and regulations. The ELD Mandate took effect at the end of 2017, and almost two years later, the industry is still heavily affected by it. Those that didn’t plan ahead and strategize were often left in the dust, but firms that made it a point to adapt are still thriving today. Those who succeeded should continue to keep an innovative mindset, as even further changes may be coming in 2020. The FMCSA has proposed some new rules that may give more flexibility to drivers if they are passed.
One of the biggest changes would be a short-haul exception that allows commercial drivers to operate within 150 miles and 14 hours without using an ELD tracking device instead of 100 miles and 12 hours.
Another proposal is to extend 2 hours of allowable on-duty time when a driver is going to encounter adverse driving conditions.
An idea for a major change to the 10-hour rule is to allow a 7/3 or 6/4 split when taking breaks rather than requiring a continuous 10 hour span off duty.
Drivers may also be able to pause their 14-hour clock once per active driving shift for up to 3 hours. This allows for time to plan routes and wait out the rush hour traffic.
All of these rules would likely be seen as welcome changes for drivers, who have been frustrated by the stringent regulations that have come with the ELD mandate. We may see an influx of drivers into the workforce as the job becomes more flexible and potentially more lucrative. Shippers might benefit from an increase in capacity which could help them run their supply chains more efficiently.
While nothing is set in stone, it will be interesting to see how these proposals are received and what developments take place if they are put into effect.
At Zip Xpress, our goal is to keep our partners informed with the latest shipping updates. We want to provide advice and guidance so that you can plan all of your shipments and they can arrive undamaged and on time. To ensure there will be no interruptions in your shipments and get the best advice on the subject, start today with Zip Xpress!
Driving a truck can be a lonely, stressful job. Long hours on the road and away from family can take its toll on people, and regulations can make it difficult to make deliveries on time. Fortunately, driving as a team is something that can take a bit of the sting out of all of these things. By switching drivers when one’s hours are up, a team can deliver more loads in less time, making more money by doing so and keeping each other company while on the road. There are many husband and wife teams that travel across the country all year long and thoroughly enjoy doing so.
While it can be nice to have a companion, team driving can also lead to some tension considering the close quarters people have to share. Hopefully your partner is taking his or showers whenever they get the chance, otherwise you may be in for some long, uncomfortable stretches! And if you don’t share the same taste in music, then you both better have some good conversational skills, lest you want to drive all week in silence. Fortunately, there are some pretty nice sleeper cabs out there that can help you keep at least a little bit of distance, and noise cancelling headphones might give you some peace during your break.
While there are challenges that come with driving as a team (as with any job that requires close cooperation with another person), it has become something that many drivers prefer. The ability to log more miles in fewer days and to share the driving experience with a friend or significant other is something that many people find invaluable. The good news is that you aren’t obligated to drive as a team at all times, so you can take on your own jobs if you ever need a break.
At Zip Xpress, we understand the value team driving can bring out on the open road. Our goal is to show appreciation to all drivers out on our nation’s highways and team drivers are another method we use to ensure our freight arrives undamaged and on time. To see how our drivers can ensure your product will arrive undamaged and on time, start today with Zip Xpress!
The economy has seen some pretty consistent gains over the past decade, and employment has been one metric that has steadily improved. As a result, people are looking for employment that presents a challenge, offers a real chance for advancement and will be around for the long haul. That’s why we suggest making the switch to logistics. Logistics, is a relatively recession-proof industry that might provide lucrative careers for those looking to make a switch.
Many people don’t understand the scope of the logistics industry and might write it off because they don’t think they have the skills necessary to succeed in it. However, there are numerous skills that can translate well into the industry. Every logistics firm has a need for salespeople, accountants, finance gurus, and IT workers. Previous experience in the field is a plus, but that doesn’t mean that it’s too late to start over if you are considering switching to logistics. Universities across the nation offer supply chain courses in several capacities. An MBA in Supply Chain Management might be time-consuming, but there are plenty of shorter yet comprehensive certification programs that can be very useful and informative.
The beauty of logistics is that there are very few barriers to entry. Product will always need to be shipped, so there will always be a need for new talent. It’s a field where hands-on experience ends up being just as valuable as education, and there are hundreds of directions one can go once they start working in logistics.
At Zip Xpress, we understand how great the logistics sector can be. We’re honored to assist companies in shipping their freight and ensuring it will be delivered on time every time. We’re always looking for dedicated people to join our team, so if you’re interested in learning more about making the switch to logistics, visit our career page. And shippers, to see how we put this dedicated service to work for you, start today with Zip Xpress!
These days, it isn’t just fringe, forward-thinking manufacturers that are concerned about reducing their carbon footprint. Going green and focusing on eco-friendly initiatives is now virtually a requirement to keep your business running smoothly. It isn’t just about being concerned about the environment – many manufacturers have realized that they can save money and bolster their bottom line by reducing the amount of waste they produce and minimizing the amount of energy used to create their products. There’s no doubt that this has a positive impact on the environment and on international business, and there are several things that forward-looking manufacturers can do to continue to reduce their waste.
One of the biggest culprits in the world of waste is packaging. Plastic packaging is especially difficult to recycle and often gets thrown into landfills where it accumulates at high rates. Manufacturers should focus on limiting the amount of packaging they use – especially plastic packaging – with the goal of eliminating packaging altogether if their product lines allow it. In fact, Zip Xpress encourages all their customers to set a goal of shipping without any packaging whatsoever. This contributes not only by reducing the amount of waste they are putting into the environment, but also by maximizing their truck space resulting in fewer total miles driven for delivery. If packaging can’t be eliminated entirely, companies should focus on using sustainable, recyclable, and reusable packaging.
At Zip Xpress, we understand that packaging may be the major factor right now, but there are other processes that can be improved throughout the manufacturing and supply chain process. Adopting lean logistics systems with high turnover and low inventory levels can also help prevent spoilage or obsolescence, which both contribute to more waste as plants throw out product that can’t be used. By focusing on improving inefficient processes, warehouses can lower both tangible waste and reduce the amount of energy required to make their product. To see how we can help make your processes more sustainable, start today with Zip Xpress!
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and while they can be a joyful, relaxing time in our personal lives, they can be a cause for added stress professionally. This is especially true for those who are involved in supply chains, as time-critical shipments increase and capacity can become scarce. Add in last minute requests, and you have a lot of things that can potentially go wrong. This is why it’s so important for businesses to place a priority on proactive communication, and to set realistic expectations ahead of time.
Anybody in logistics knows that it is better to ask permission than to seek forgiveness. This means that you should account for anything that could happen, and communicate it with your customer, developing a backup plan just in case it does. When you have an agreed upon plan in place, you’ll have a much easier time correcting an error than if you have to shuffle to fix it at the last minute. Everybody involved in any shipment – manufacturers, wholesalers, carriers, and end receivers – needs to be aware of the additional workload that the holiday season can bring. When people are empathetic to the burdens of others, they will take necessary actions such as placing orders early to allow extra time, clearing up warehouse space when possible, or expediting shipments with team drivers.
At Zip Xpress, we understand that nobody wants to get a call about a delayed shipment as they are heading to a holiday party, and the best way to avoid this is to look at other businesses in your supply chain as part of your team. Taking the first steps in planning for adversity can go a long way in easing the transition into the holidays, and your customers and vendors will be thankful for it. After all, they likely have plans for relaxation and family fun as well! To see how we can help ease the holiday rush, start today with Zip Xpress!