/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

How Processes Can Create an Optimized Supply Chain

A company’s supply chain is an integral part of its overall success. Supply chains, however, are far more complex than they used to be, and it is important to have failsafe systems and processes in order to optimize the efficiency of the supply chain. A well-managed supply chain should focus on strategic supply and demand planning, procurement, and logistics in order to create a strong and effective infrastructure within the company.

There are many systems and processes that can be enacted within a supply chain, and which ones are used will depend on the size, sector, and goals of the company. Smaller companies may opt for less complex systems, but they still need to have something in place. By focusing on strategic planning, manufacturers can help alleviate the demands of just-in-time deliveries and reduce the stress caused by excess or depleted inventory.

Planning isn’t the only process that makes for a successful supply chain. It is just a piece of the puzzle. Organizations need to also focus on internal and external logistics and network optimization. By partnering with a trusted carrier that deeply understands how your supply chain can be optimized, your production and transportation worries will become a thing of the past. Your customers will be more satisfied because of the reliable delivery schedules as well as receiving undamaged product.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of systems and processes and their role in developing an optimized supply chain. All of these different systems (logistics, procurement, fulfillment, etc) require processes that lead towards optimization. Systems and processes help reduce errors and allow a company to double-check themselves every step of the way. Whether your facility has multi-tiered systems, or you’re a regional facility in need of a more straightforward plan, we can help devise a custom carrier solution that works for your business. To see how we can devise your own custom carrier solutions, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Sustainability/ 0 Comments

The Absent-Packaging Revolution

Going green may just seem like a new trend that companies are embracing to appear hip and in-touch with younger potential employees and customers, but there’s far more to it than that. There are real environmental concerns all around the world, and sustainable practices are required to ensure the health of our surroundings. Yet even for the executives who are more concerned with profit over sustainability, going green can provide a myriad of benefits. This is especially true in logistics, where reusable packaging has been making waves for several years thanks to its ingenuity, utility, and cost-efficiency.

Yet for all of these wondrous innovations being made in packaging, we don’t believe they go far enough. We on the other hand actively discourage our customers from packing their product(s) beyond the bare necessities. Customers have at times taken it upon themselves to do so, but we’ll happily work with and advise our customers on what those bare necessities would be for their packaging. This saves companies the cost of purchasing the packaging as well as disposal and it allows our freight handlers to optimize every shipment appropriately.

At Zip Xpress, we encourage all of our customers to commit to sustainability by foregoing packaging altogether whenever possible. We’ve developed refined processes and can advise all of our customers on the best approach for their shipping needs. Our approach is to take the long view – to the environment, to our nation’s highways and to your bottom line in an effort to create the most sustainable outcome for all of our stakeholders. To see how we can devise your custom carrier solution, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Finding Great Talent in Logistics

The logistics sector is an attractive one for many reasons – it’s big, it’s profitable, it’s nearly recession-proof, and the skills learned within it translate to almost every facet of business. There are a large number of people in the workforce – both young and old – that are interested in finding a job in logistics. With so many applicants, recruiters can find it difficult to find the ones that will best live up to expectations. But there are certain practices that will help your company excel in the search for logistics talent.

Respect Experience, but Don’t Necessitate It

There is a large group of fresh new faces entering the workforce. Discounting them because of their lack of experience would be a grave mistake. Logistics requires the ability to learn on the job, and many of these new recruits are eager to get their hands dirty. There are plenty of reasons to hire industry vets – they are needed for their skills and expertise – but don’t make it a requirement for every position.

Stay Active on Social Media

Social media has become one of the most powerful tools for recruiting, and if your company isn’t utilizing it, you are missing out on millions of potential candidates. The more visible you are, the more likely people will be interested in your positions.

Make Company Culture a Priority

The logistics world can be a grind, with many candidates burning out because their organizations never truly appreciated them or gave them the flexibility to have a fulfilling career. Prospects know that they have plenty of options. If the culture of a potential employee leaves a lot to be desired, they may opt to go somewhere else, even for less pay. Show that hard work will be rewarded – not just monetarily – and you’ll pique the interest of many potential employees.

At Zip Xpress, we understand what a great industry logistics is. We strive to build a great company culture for our employees and it shows. Many members of our team have stayed with us for years, and we deeply appreciate the dedication the team shows to our customers. To see this dedication for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Trucker Homage/ 0 Comments

Give That Truck Some Space!

Driving in traffic can be stressful, but consider the pressure put on truck drivers! These licensed professionals drive all day, often spending weeks on the road and dealing with traffic jams on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many drivers aren’t very respectful of the trucks on the road, and we believe it boils down to a simple lack of awareness. Not everyone realizes how much work goes into driving a truck, nor do they realize that we cannot treat trucks like other cars. There are some rules that one must follow in the event you find yourself next to a large tractor-trailer.

The most important tip to remember is to give the truck plenty of space, no matter how much traffic you are in. Trucks have enormous blind spots. Even though drivers are trained at using mirrors to check their surroundings, it is still always better to play it safe. Don’t follow a truck too closely, and try to avoid being in a position to the side of a truck for too long. Most importantly, never cut in front of a truck without leaving at least 3 car lengths between you and the truck. Wait until you see both headlights in your rearview mirror when merging back onto the right hand lane. These large machines need a lot more time to brake safely, and cutting too close in front of them could spell disaster for you, especially if you are in a position to have to slam on your brakes.

In addition to driving safely, you should always drive respectfully. You may be slightly inconvenienced by sitting behind a truck in traffic, but remember that there is a real person driving that truck and that these drivers help to keep our economy moving along. When you realize that you are sharing the road with a hard worker who is trying to do a job, you will be more inclined to drive smarter and safer.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the hard work these dedicated professionals put in in order to ensure freight gets delivered undamaged and on time. Our goal is to raise awareness for the hard work drivers put in and to encourage readers to share this awareness with others so that together we can help keep everyone on the road safe. To see how we can put such dedication behind your projects, start today with Zip Xpress!