/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Securing Your Supply Chain

Supply chains are constantly on the move and always evolving. Every day brings new challenges, and with them, new solutions. There is so much to think about on a daily basis – replenishing inventory, fulfilling orders, delivering goods, and billing clients. In this whirlwind of actions and responsibilities, many organizations often neglect one of the most important aspects of the supply chain – security. This is a major mistake as unsecured supply chains can lead to theft, fraud, cyberattacks, and data leaks. There are many ways to cultivate a secure supply chain, but it all starts with the people in the organization.

Investing in high-tech security systems and encrypted software is vital for any company, but those flashy assets don’t mean anything if a culture of trust, transparency, and understanding is not put into place. Employees will work harder if they feel valued – that is well known. In addition to their hard work, however, they will feel loyal to the company and will be more willing to look out for suspicious activity or report potential scams. A disgruntled worker may recognize a phishing email, but might not be motivated enough to raise a red flag to management. Hackers and data miners are always finding new ways to bypass cybersecurity systems, so it is up to the workers to be the last line of defense.

By implementing continual training programs and staying on top of the most recent security threats, managers can keep their employees aware of the things to look out for. It should be emphasized that everyone is on the same team and that employees are trusted to do what’s best for the company. Attacks on an organization – whether physical or digital – threaten the livelihood of everyone who works there. Taking an all-in approach and providing the necessary tools for security is a vital step in keeping the supply chain running smoothly and safely.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of keeping your supply chain secure. Our talented and experienced staff are always on the lookout for suspicious activity. We won’t hesitate to contact your organization if we believe your supply chain is at risk because security is only going to become more important in the years ahead. To see how we can help keep your supply chain secure, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Trucker Homage/ 0 Comments

Staying Healthy on the Frontlines

With some states easing shelter-in-place restrictions and more freight shipping in recent weeks, there seems to be some optimism that the economy is starting to gain steam. Still, many essential workers are at risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Those working in warehouses come in contact with people and freight on a daily basis, and those delivering the goods are on the road constantly, entering truck stops, gas stations, and delivery docks. It is vital for these frontline workers to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves healthy and prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.

It should go without saying that we should all be practicing thorough and constant handwashing. Anytime a worker leaves his post or touches a potentially contaminated item, he should wash his hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Those who have to enter their workplace should be sure to wear face masks throughout the day. N95 masks are the most effective, but are difficult to come by. Cloth masks are easy to make and can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (but they aren’t a replacement for social distancing). Most importantly, anybody who feels even mildly ill should tell their manager immediately and see a doctor. Now is not the time to ignore symptoms. Doing so puts the worker and all those around him or her at risk.

Forgotten through all of this is the toll the pandemic can have on one’s mental health. Social isolation can be devastating, but there are ways to stay connected. Those working in warehouses or driving trucks should take some time to get out for a walk, read a book, or interact with family and friends through telephone and video calls. Even a five minute conversation can add a positive outlook to the day once we know our family and friends are safe.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that frontline workers are facing trying times. Drivers and freight handlers have stayed working since the start of the crisis, many of them putting their health on the line to keep our supply chain running. These hard working individuals deserve our gratitude and respect. To see how our hardworking employees can service your freight, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Bracing For Demand Challenges

During the first few weeks of shelter-in-place orders from many states across the country, demand for particular items spiked drastically. Products such as paper towels, canned foods, and face masks were flying off the shelves anywhere they could be found. This created a bullwhip effect for many suppliers which put quite a bit of pressure on their logistics teams. Manufacturers and carriers, however, were happy to see an increase in business, if only temporary. Unfortunately, demand in other industries has dropped and everyone is paying attention to the bottom line in anticipation for what is coming next.

The key through all of this lies in collaboration. Companies that work together and foster creative thinking, problem solving and strategic collaboration will go a long way in ensuring that companies will endure. Strong partnerships throughout the supply chain is key in getting through these times, as every vendor, supplier, and carrier either has been or will be affected. By opening the lines of communication and working together on every project, we can minimize the negative results of the pandemic. Unique opportunities will present themselves for the companies willing to partner together and many businesses are being saved by getting creative in how they serve their customers.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that there will be demand challenges ahead, but as long as everyone remains vigilant, honest and keeps communication open, we will get through this together. Our team is ready to assist with the unique challenges associated with your freight. We will develop strategies tailored to the needs of your business and provide you with a custom carrier solution that works for you. As long as we work together, no challenge is too great. To see how we can help with your shipping needs, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Miscellaneous/ 0 Comments

Supply Chain and Logistics in Education

With the looming uncertainty for students and professionals, many are unsure of where the jobs will be or what will be deemed “essential.” One thing we know for certain is that logistics is one of the American sectors with the most promise. It is a sector that will never be fully automated or outsourced because goods still need to be developed, manufactured, and delivered. People will always be the most vital part of the supply chain, making this field a lucrative option that offers a great amount of stability and certainty.

Many younger people are realizing these benefits and incorporating logistics courses into their education programs. Supply chain management programs are seeing a steady increase in higher education and there’s no better time than now to take advantage since a record number of universities are offering hundreds of specialized courses. Topics range from the all-encompassing Supply Chain Management to more specialized courses such as Information Technologies in Logistics. For students with an interest in the backbone of the economy, options abound.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of ongoing education. Supply chain management will only become more crucial in the coming years. A new generation of logistics experts are entering the workforce with a hunger to serve and solve the complex problems involved in running a supply chain. We’re grateful to see how specialized the field is becoming, but we’d like to offer some advice to these prospective experts: don’t forget great customer service. Shippers deserve to have their freight handled with care. It’s a sign of respect to everyone in the supply chain – from the shippers to the end user because nobody likes receiving damaged freight. Any candidate who is willing to show great customer service in this field will go far, and fortunately we have an entire staff dedicated to great service. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Building Resilience into Your Supply Chain

While the country is beginning to understand COVID-19, there are still many unknowns of what will happen after the country begins to open up. Companies are anxious to get back to work and executives will start taking a hard look at their enterprises to determine where their resources need to be deployed. One of these areas will inevitably be the supply chain, and with the lingering uncertainty in the marketplace, it’s vital for every business to build resilience into their supply chains.

The first step is take an assessment of your current supply chain. Many companies will be taking a hard look at their processes to see where weaknesses may exist. Flaws in the system will inevitably rise to the surface, but once revealed they can be managed. The second step will be monitoring forecasts as well as planning future shipments. Your organization will be doing a lot of planning in the coming months, but one area that will never change is the importance of your customer service. During times of uncertainty, your reputation will become more important than ever. Customers need to know they can trust your company and that your products won’t arrive damaged at their warehouses. The third step is to work directly with a trusted carrier in structuring your supply chain. Shopping online with freight brokers doesn’t provide you with the expertise needed to build a resilient supply chain. It reduces your freight to nothing more than a transaction and puts your hard earned reputation at risk.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of building a resilient supply chain. We know how much your reputation matters and endeavor to ensure excellent customer service for your customers. We’re working hard with companies on both sides, making phone calls to ensure companies are open and that they have the staff capacity to accept their freight. We’re in constant communication with our customers to ensure they’re getting the custom carrier solutions they need to keep their supply chains resilient, no matter what happens next. To see what solutions we can provide for your business, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Managing Scarcity in Times of High Demand

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make life more difficult for everyone across the world, but it seems that people have started to adapt. When it comes to the supply chain, this ability to adapt has always been extremely important, especially as companies work together to deal with scarcity and demand spikes. The shutdown of certain industries have left some supply chains in unideal situations, but this has shown the essential need for open lines of communication and collaboration between manufacturers and supply chain partners.

Whether checking with a warehouse to confirm working hours or letting a customer know immediately about a truck breakdown, it is vital to communicate quickly and effectively in order to keep products moving. GPS tracking and online systems are nice, but nothing will ever replace the power of a live conversation. Customers like to know that their carriers are thinking about them and that there is somebody willing to work with them rather than just moving freight and collecting a bill.

The communication doesn’t end with tracking a shipment. Partners in any logistics relationship should be transparent about their current staff capabilities and manufacturing limits. In the end, we are all in this together and should treat each other as equals throughout the life cycle of any shipment. While we believe this should always be the case, the COVID crisis has shed a little more light on the need for functional partnerships in the transportation world. If one positive comes of this, perhaps it will be strengthened relationships between manufacturers, suppliers, and carriers.

At Zip Xpress, we believe in the power of partnerships and treat every shipment as though it were our own. During this time we’ve worked with every member of our supply chain, making calls to ensure deliveries can be made and that companies are open. We understand that our customers and their customers need to know they can be counted on, especially during these uncertain times. To see how we can help with your supply chain needs, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

COVID’s Dangerous Impact on Trucking Revenue

When it comes to essential industries, logistics is one of the most important. Without freight moving across the country on a daily basis, people would not be able to easily purchase vital goods such as food, clothing, and medications. Logistics companies are responsible for bringing in goods such as medical devices, personal protection equipment, and hospital beds, and it becomes even clearer that we need trucks on the road now more than ever. Unfortunately, some companies are taking advantage of the overall shortage of freight.

Many freight brokers, realizing that non-essential industries are shut down and that there is less overall freight available, are charging shippers the same but giving carriers rock bottom rates who now have fewer shipments to choose from. It’s not uncommon to see shipments being offered for less than half of the fair market rate. However, the costs of maintaining a truck and running a trucking company have not gotten any lower. If such practices from brokers continue, many drivers will not be able to afford to make their payments, and carriers would be forced to shut their doors.

It should be clear why this is a dangerous precedent to set. There is already a shortage in truck drivers, and if we lose a significant number more, shippers could experience major capacity issues in the future. This would lead to an overall increase in rates over time, as well as a strained supply chain across the nation. It is important not to be short-sighted when evaluating your shipping rates, as a stark decrease now could be offset by higher rates and fewer options in the near future. Shippers can help stop such practices by seeking out and working directly with carriers to build mutually beneficial relationships in order to minimize volatility and maintain some level of stability during these trying times.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that you want certainty during uncertain times. We understand that shippers partnering with carriers is the best method of navigating this pandemic, because we’re all in this together. Partnering together will ensure better service for your freight and an optimized supply chain. If you’re in need of a carrier to partner with, we can provide you with custom carrier solutions that will work for your business and ensure your supply chain will continue to run smoothly. To see how, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Trucker Homage/ 0 Comments

Truckers: The Other Heroes of COVID-19

There is a branch of heroes that aren’t being talked about every night on the evening news as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare and retail workers deserve to be in the limelight due to their constant exposure, but it’s still important to recognize the contributions of the brave truck drivers who are working around the clock during the outbreak. Were it not for truck drivers, our retail shelves would be empty and medical supplies wouldn’t reach the hospitals in dire need.

When the COVID-19 pandemic was underway, truck drivers came out in droves to help ensure supplies were replenished after people rushed their local grocery stores and stocked up. The Federal Government even lifted the ELD restrictions of driving 11 hours a day so long as they were transporting goods such as: medical supplies, food products and other materials deemed as critical. The significance of this was that many drivers started working 12 hours a day or more to ensure these deliveries were made, often weeks at a time. They’re taking time away from their families to be out on the road, and logistics is proving that it’s one of the most essential sectors of the American economy. Many of these humble heroes are honored to be moving these products across the United States – it’s one of the reasons why they became a driver in the first place.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of the truck driver’s role in the supply chain. We know what they’re giving up by being out on the road and we seek to give them the recognition they deserve. The importance of truck drivers cannot be overstated and we hope that this will inspire a new generation of drivers to get behind the wheel. We know what heroes these drivers are and their dedication is nothing short of heroic. We wish all of you drivers the very best and that you return to your families safe and sound.

/ By zipxpress / Miscellaneous/ 0 Comments

A Look Ahead: Quarter 2, 2020

With only 3 months of 2020 finished, we can say this has been one of the most unpredictable years in recent memory. The world economy has slowed in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, and there are many uncertainties that lie ahead. With many industries dealing with employees working from home many wonder what the lasting effects will be as our economy continues to move forward into the next quarter.

Fortunately freight and transportation services are considered essential for the US economy. People still need to eat, take medicine, and use infrastructure, so there are always going to be trucks on the road delivering these goods. This ensures that shipments are less likely to be interrupted, although companies in luxury and entertainment may have to wait for their freight to be shipped. We believe that many industries will see spikes in demand in the upcoming quarter, so truckers, warehouses, and logistics firms will be needed more than ever.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that there is a lot of uncertainty and concern during this time, but we know that everyone working together – businesses, government agencies, and individuals will help provide relief for the most at-risk. Transportation is still going to be needed and there are many stories of local heroes doing their part to get critical supplies to those who need them. It is during uncertain times that companies will turn to those they can rely the most upon – rest assured Zip Xpress is ready to help you navigate through. We believe that all logistics companies will rise to the occasion and show how invaluable they are to the US Economy. We’re more than ready to do our part. To see how we can help you, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Trucker Homage/ 0 Comments

Training New Truck Drivers

Driving a truck may be one of the most humble careers as well as a highly lucrative one that offers many advantages over more traditional jobs. It requires certain personality traits, as there are long stretches of time where one will be away from home, navigating the expansive highway system and visiting multiple cities in a matter of days. While some people have no desire to take on such a job, there are many others who enjoy the freedom this career offers them. In order for new drivers to enjoy the fruits of this career, each one will need to be properly trained to face the challenges of this new career.

Driving trainers must be patient with their new recruits, as they require a lot of seat time and driving hours before they can tackle the job on their own. This means spending a lot of time together on long-haul jobs and staying attentive even during the most mundane stretches. For new drivers, an unpleasant trainer can turn them off to the job for life, so it is important to employ personable, knowledgeable drivers who are willing to take others under their wing. New drivers will need to also understand that they’re representing both the shipper as well as the carrier and that the final delivery is vital to a customer’s overall experience. As with every job, attitude is everything.

Training isn’t just about learning the technical skills involved with driving. New drivers need to become conditioned for life on the road. Most people can’t just be thrown into a cab and expected to tough it out on their first run with no experience. Taking a gradual approach and allowing the new driver to slowly adjust to long hours can go a long way in preparing them for life on the road. It is important for them to see the challenges that they will face and to understand how to address them. They need to see the importance of representing multiple shippers and carriers. As such, there’s a need to recognize that this job is of crucial importance from a customer service standpoint. They also need to see the benefits of life on the road, of the adventure and freedom they’ll experience as they see the beauty of our nation.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that only the toughest can become drivers. We know that we need to focus on the human aspect of recruiting new drivers. There is a learning curve so mistakes will be made, but it’s important to maintain a tolerant and respectful work environment for new drivers. Driver retention is only becoming more important so helping new drivers establish confidence in the beginning of their careers will ensure that they’ll log more miles for everyone in the future. To see how our team of dedicated professionals can help your business, start today with Zip Xpress!