/ By zipxpress / Industry Partners/ 0 Comments

What to Expect in Quarter 4

2019 has been another great year for freight, and there is much to prepare for as we enter its final months. The fourth quarter is always interesting, but it can be especially hectic in the logistics world. Although most companies start planning their holiday shipments and inventory in the middle of the summer, there are always a few surprises during the holiday months, and the stress that comes with those surprises can be mitigated by working with an effective and committed logistics provider. It’s important for manufacturers and transportation providers to set their expectations for the next few months but to also be flexible, as there will certainly be some unexpected snags along the way.

Manufacturing is still going strong and the fourth quarter promises to keep freight moving. As companies review their quarterly/annual budgets, they’ll likely to move forward with large capital purchases, which means freight will keep moving. For manufacturers that are looking to make their operations more efficient, consider opting into our partial and consolidated shipments. When it comes to planning out a leaner supply chain, be sure to work with a carrier that is experienced in customizing your carrier solutions. The fourth quarter is a hive of activity for everyone in the logistics world, but with careful planning everyone’s shipments can be delivered on time.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the challenges inherent with getting product to the customer on time but we ensure that every delivery will be made on time with respect to our schedule, regardless of the season. We also offer our headload solution and optimized shipping, which means we can handle all of our customer’s freight needs. We understand the challenges of shipping in the fourth quarter, but we’re planners and work to ensure every shipment gets to where it needs to go on time, every time. To see for yourself and finish the year strong, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Cultivating a Cohesive Culture in Logistics

It’s rare for a day to go by in logistics where employees don’t have to overcome some sort of challenge, whether it involves a late delivery, damaged freight, or pressure from new competition. The constant barrage of problems to solve and subsequent interactions in which to participate can make for some highly stressful days for everybody. This is why organizations in the logistics field must make it a priority to create a positive, people-centric work culture that motivates employees and reinforces their strengths. Many companies focus only on profits, but without happy, productive employees, they are doomed to fail.

Company culture starts at the top, so executives and management types need to be heavily involved with their teams to ensure that employees are satisfied with their jobs. They should make it a point to recognize individual accomplishments regularly. This could be drawing attention to a time when a night operations rep went above and beyond to solve an after-hours issue, or it could be congratulating a sales rep for bringing on a new account. The possibilities are endless, and so are the benefits for the company. It is also important to encourage teamwork and create an atmosphere that discourages employees from trying to place blame when something goes wrong. Finally, it’s important that the customer knows you’ll take care of them – everyone answers the phones at Zip with offers to help and is trained fill out a basic quote for the customer so they can start shipping their product.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that high service doesn’t stop at the customer. We aspire to recognize all of the great members of our team. It’s why we have a long history with all of our great employees and aspire to treat them fairly. Our goal is a cohesive culture where employees can collaborate and solve problems on behalf of our customers. As long as our people feel recognized, they’ll treat our customers the same way. At Zip Xpress, we prioritize maintaining an uplifting, exciting atmosphere not only because we believe in our people, but also because we believe in offering the best logistics solutions possible. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Facing Conflict in Logistics

Anyone who has worked in logistics for a significant amount of time can tell you that it isn’t always the most easy-going industry. With so many time-critical operations and different lines of communication, things can get jumbled up quickly and seemingly minuscule errors can turn into high-level catastrophes with a lot on the line. Because of what’s at stake much of the time, tempers can flare and people can become edgy when their freight hasn’t arrived on time. It’s understandable to be upset if you’ve been given the wrong information or if an important shipment gets delayed because of a clerical error, but it’s vital to keep cool and do our best to work calmly and cooperatively through the situation.

Many situations are out of anybody’s control, but customers, carriers, shippers, and brokers may place blame when something goes wrong. This is an easy trap to fall into, and it is important to remember that accusations will not solve the problem at hand. Instead of trying to find a “culprit,” we should search for solutions and open up communication with our partners. This is vital for coworkers as well, since it is common for arguments to arise within the same organization. There’s no benefit to letting tempers flare among coworkers, as a toxic work environment will lead to poor relationships with vendors and customers. We must remember above all else that open and honest communication is vital when working with all of our stakeholders.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that a lot can go wrong during a shipment. Fortunately, our experienced staff is skilled at spotting problems ahead of time and we’ll speak with our partners to ensure their satisfaction. Our team is working around the clock to solve problems and we share the load by working together in order to provide the post possible service. We seek to be open and honest with all of our stakeholders so that we can foster a culture of trust and ensure that everyone’s been heard. If there’s a problem, we’ll work to find a solution – Zip Xpress has a long history of doing just that. To see how well we can work with your organization, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Logistics: A Resilient Industry

Lately there has been much debate and speculation about a potential upcoming recession in the US economy. It isn’t a pleasant subject, but it is a reality that we need to face together to work towards the best outcome. Fortunately for some, they work in industries that are considered recession-proof, and logistics is one such industry. This isn’t to say that there won’t be negative consequences – a recession may lead to slower manufacturing and thus less freight overall – but it is noteworthy that there will be plenty of opportunities to remain on the road. Logistics is one of the most resilient sectors of the economy and when combined with dedicated service proves how fruitful these relationships can be.

During recessionary periods, any breakage in a shipment is only exacerbated when resources are tight. Considering the costs of either fixing or remaking the product, it becomes clear that choosing a freight carrier who pays attention to your shipment and will deliver it to the end customer undamaged will help your business more in the long run. Your customer will appreciate the effort, and the relationship can deepen with more mutual trust and understanding, which can help carry businesses through. Companies also will need to make strategic decisions regarding their supply chains, and those who understand the value of a tight and efficient supply chain will side with carriers that have a track record of delivering shipments undamaged and exactly when they say they will.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that resilience is the key and we’re ready to do our part by providing dedicated and consistent service to all of our customers. Our streamlined supply chain and expert team of service professionals will help ensure that your shipment is delivered undamaged and on time. We understand that there is always opportunity, and our goal is to provide that to our customers. Our custom carrier solutions will help your supply chain become more optimized and efficient, so that you can continue delivering to your customers, regardless of what the headlines say. To see how we can help, start today with Zip Xpress!