/ By zipxpress / Sustainability/ 0 Comments

Lowering Emissions for a Greener World

These days it isn’t just a few highly progressive outliers in business that are concerned with lowering emissions. Environmental friendliness is a philosophy that is now being embraced by some of the biggest manufacturers and profit-driven companies. At this point, we’ve seen plenty of the negative effects of pollution, and even realized that green technology can lead to lower costs and more profit in the long run. Most importantly, however, is that we are treating the world around us with respect and care, doing everything we can to lower emissions and allow the environment to thrive. For those in transportation, this can be a bit of a challenge, but there are several steps that all logistics companies can take to become more friendly to the environment.

Some basic, cheaper ideas include installing mud flaps and trailer tails to reduce drag and make the truck more aerodynamic, helping it to become more fuel efficient. Carriers can also help reduce the number of miles driven by focusing on route optimization, making sure that dispatchers and drivers alike are working together to formulate the most efficient path of travel for delivery. Drivers should be sure to monitor their particulate filter and to clean it regularly before it becomes too bogged down by ash and soot. For trucks with engines that allow biodiesel to be used, it is an excellent option for running more cleanly.

The most important method of lowering emissions in logistics is to optimize every shipment and ensure there’s no wasted space on any truck. The less “empty space” we have in our trailers, the fewer trucks we can have on the road at any given time. This reduction in emissions will provide cleaner air and reduce the wear and tear on our roads. It is a cycle of sustainability, one that we can all do our part.

These are simple changes that most carriers can make to reduce their carbon footprint, but the future of trucking may make it even simpler. Hybrid trucks are becoming more of a reality, and while they will still use the diesel engine at high speeds, they will drastically cut down on emissions in city and final-mile driving, where much of the pollution takes place simply from idling or sitting in traffic. Eventually, fully electric trucks may come into existence, eliminating the need for fossil fuels altogether. In the meantime, we are constantly seeing new, innovative technologies that serve to reduce our emissions as long as we are reliant on these fuels, and all those who are involved in the transportation field should be embracing these tools. To see how we can reduce your carbon footprint with our sustainability report, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Getting More Drivers on the Road: The Push for Recruitment

It is currently estimated that there are about 3.5 million truck drivers actively working in the USA. This looks like a large number on the surface, but the fact remains that there is still a massive shortage of truck drivers, and shippers have been struggling to cover all their freight for several years now. The manufacturing boom has slowed a bit, but the amount of product being produced is still outweighing the number of trucks that are available to carry it. As many lifetime drivers are retiring, younger people simply aren’t as attracted to a profession that was once seen as highly desirable. This is why carriers must focus on new trends and put extra effort into recruiting drivers if they want to continue to be successful.

Carriers can try to focus on the changing landscape of the industry to entice younger people as well as those who weren’t traditionally seen as the truck-driving type. This includes focusing on diversity and reaching out to women who currently only make up 8% of the pool of cross-country truckers. As attitudes change across the industry, there aren’t as many barriers to entry for women and minorities to get their CDL and to become successful drivers. Similarly, carriers should push hard for a strong millennial outreach program, highlighting why driving might have benefits for young people who don’t yet have families. Some of these advantages include flexibility, great pay if you work hard, and the perk of getting to see parts of the country that you may have never made it to before.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that the profession isn’t going away anytime soon. Potential drivers will need to work hard, but the benefits are rewarding to those who put in the effort. All of our partners in manufacturing still need their products shipped, nothing will replace this reality. Moving this product by truck is still the most effective way to get this done. Emphasizing that a job in trucking can be a flexible, lucrative, and long-lasting career is a vital part of improving a carrier’s recruitment program. To see how our professional drivers can handle your freight, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Industry Partners/ 0 Comments

Specialized Freight – Highlighting Automation

Over the past few years, we’ve seen an industry transform itself and become explosive with innovation. From humble origins of stands and conveyors, the automation industry is now on the cutting edge with sensors, lighting units and robotic arms that look like they belong in a science fiction book. Those machines are fueling a new industrial revolution, but in order for progress to be achieved, those machines need to get to their final destination.

Manufacturers everywhere can imagine the horror of seeing a truck arrive with a dozen robotic arms and three of them have their paint chipped. Two more had their sensors ripped off due to a box falling on top of them. Three others even had a finger knocked off of the wrist joint. Now the customer needs to file a claim with the shipper, who needs to transport the defective units back to the manufacturing plant. The original shipper won’t be satisfied because they need to refurbish, replace and diagnose any unseen issues from being damaged in transit. The result is loss of revenue for all three, from making repairs, transporting an additional trip and loss of time in production. All of this in a rushed effort to ship with a carrier that isn’t experienced in handling such delicate machinery.

Manufacturers in the automation industry never have to worry about such horror stories when they partner with Zip Xpress. We’re experienced at handling every piece of automation equipment – from conveyors to industrial robots. We understand how precise the equipment must be, so our dockworkers take extra care when loading and strapping the machines into place. We provide automation companies with the custom carrier solutions required to ensure that these machines arrive in the same condition we found them in. To see for yourself how carefully we can handle your machinery, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Competency in Compliance

Whether you love them or hate them, there are rules and regulations that must be followed in every industry. Transportation is no different, and the regulations are there to not only encourage fair trade, but also to promote safety and education across the sector. Trucks, trains, and planes are all massive, potentially dangerous vehicles that can cause great harm if they aren’t operated safely by trained professionals who understand the consequences of breaking the aforementioned regulations. Every year, it seems that new rules are proposed and applied, so it is important for any transportation organization to strive to be highly competent when it comes to compliance.

Over the past 2 years, the ELD Mandate has been a topic of much debate. But whether or not you agree with the terms of the mandate, the fact remains that all companies must be in compliance and that drivers, dispatchers, and even executives are responsible for making sure that it is followed. In fact, every June the CSVA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Association) inspects as many trucks as possible searching for safety violations as well as ELD compliance. The best companies will exhibit a culture of compliance from the top down, and will provide the training required for all employees to understand the importance of following industry rules. They will also set their own rules that may go above and beyond the legal regulations, just to ensure that every member of the organization are going the extra mile to stay compliant. This doesn’t apply only to the ELD Mandate, but to all industry rules and regulations that must be followed.

At Zip Xpress, we are committed to providing safe, reliable transportation services while complying with the rules and regulations set forth by the DOT. We understand that these rules and regulations are put in place for the safety of our drivers as well as for the protection of other stakeholders. We help our customers navigate through the compliance maze and deliver their shipments on time and undamaged. Our experienced staff is well versed in all of the rules and regulations our sector deems necessary for compliance – don’t put your freight at risk, trust us to take care of your next shipment. To ensure every shipment of yours is compliant, start today with Zip Xpress!