Year: <span>2021</span>

This year we have seen a continued increase in the spot rates market, which has left many manufacturers feeling stranded as they struggle to fulfill orders and manage their supply chain. This imbalance has many factors involved. Most notably they are: healthy consumer spending, inventory that needs replenishment and an industrial economy that is getting into full swing. All of these factors create a high-demand environment, which would put a strain on carriers even if they weren’t facing their own supply-side challenges. On the carrier side, many are facing a reduced workforce due to drivers leaving, a reduction in new drivers due to reduced capacity at CDL schools and a reduction in potential CDL recruits due to localized courier providers that are servicing e-commerce organizations.

The combination of factors leaves many manufacturers at the mercy of the spot market at a time when they’re facing a demand surge as well as an increase in material costs of production. All of this will cause frustration as manufacturers struggle to navigate tightening capacity throughout their supply chain which shows no signs of letting up in the foreseeable future. The best solution lies in partnering with a carrier that can accommodate your shipments at a rate that is fair to both sides. Manufacturers that are still relying on the spot markets at this point will face a losing game as they’re at the mercy of brokers providing cut-rate service and are putting their shipments at risk of breakage. Manufacturers that partner with a trusted carrier will find themselves much more at ease, providing stability at a time when they need it most.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the need for stability at a time when dealing with tightened capacity. We partner with each and every one of the businesses we work with, which allows us to provide the custom carrier solutions that work best for them. Our dedication to service has also kept our drivers satisfied, which means your customers will be delighted when one of our drivers delivers your final product. Whatever the case may be, we will find the right custom carrier solution for your business. To find out how, start today with Zip Xpress!

There’s no question that technology has come a long way, especially over the past year. Many industries were forced to adjust on a whim, which has caused remarkable shifts throughout the supply chain that we’re still adjusting to. While companies are still making adjustments, they’re paying attention to their people now more than ever as they navigate the inherent uncertainty across the entire supply chain.

A lot has been written about technology in transportation as of late. Lighter, more fuel efficient trucks have allowed carriers to transport products quicker and with less overhead. Back-office transportation management systems continue to improve, allowing dispatchers and logistics managers to optimize their time and increase profitability for their companies.

Yet in the face of these articles about technology, those authors tend to forget that businesses simply want great service. They want a smiling face to greet them when they receive their shipment, and a human being to answer the phone when they call an office. Every time a person is greeted by a machine, they’re far less happy or understanding. Technology can help with redundancies and inefficiencies, sure but they can’t provide the level of service that a dedicated person can.

Throughout the past year, it has been people who have helped keep our supply chains operating and ensuring that deliveries were made on time. Hard working drivers as well as the office individuals who were making and taking phone calls, providing guidance to companies who needed help during these challenging times. They were the ones who kept products moving, even when events turned for the worse. For that, they deserve our gratitude and respect.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of great service. Here it starts with ensuring that every shipment will arrive undamaged and on time. We also work hard to keep our drivers happy so that they will greet each of our customers with a smile. We also make sure that every call is answered by a person, never a machine and that customers can receive a quote within minutes. Everything we do here at Zip Xpress is focused on bringing great service and we know that none of this can be accomplished without great people. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

It is no secret that the manufacturing sector has had to ride out many waves within the last year. Between creating new workplace procedures, adapting to rising material prices, backlogged orders and a potential surge in demand due to localized sourcing, manufacturers have a lot on their plate. While many of these issues appear to be a great problem to have, the risk comes when a manufacturer doesn’t have an adequate supply chain to handle all of these factors. Manufacturers that took a “wait-and-see” approach are going to struggle under the weight of these issues in keeping up with orders. As a result, revenues can decrease at a time when costs are rising, putting a serious impact on profitability.

The manufacturing sector is undergoing a massive shift and one of the key features is to build a supply chain that can handle this shift. As manufacturers redesign their supply chains to accommodate localized sources for suppliers, those that have partnered with trusted carriers have seen far more success in meeting the challenges of redesigning their supply chain. Carriers can provide unique solutions in ensuring deliveries are made and can give manufacturers the solutions they need to ensure their supply chains are able to handle any upcoming challenges. Whether you’re pushing to get orders out the door or preparing for more orders to come, a trusted carrier can advise on the best course of action.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of having a supply chain that suits your needs. We specialize in providing companies with the solutions they need to build the supply chain that can handle any challenge. These solutions come in the form of our custom carrier solutions, where we partner with a company and find the best course of action to ensure their products arrive undamaged and on time. We see every problem a shipper faces as our own problem and as a result, premium is the standard at Zip Xpress. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

For some companies, it may seem as though complex supply chains will help drive efficiency. For certain large corporations, agile, complicated supply chains are needed to carry out their massive operations. However, for most small and medium-sized businesses, complex supply chains can lead to more waste and longer delivery times.

The concept of a lean supply chain is not a new one, but it has become more popular in recent years due to an increased focus on waste reduction and sustainability. With the events of the past year exposing many of the flaws in bloated supply chains, businesses across the nation are re-evaluating their operations and finding where these operations can be pared down. This is good news for carriers and drivers, who benefit from having access to more shipments.

Lean supply chains focus on reducing waste and minimizing the time it takes to design, manufacture, and deliver a product. The increase in production allows for a greater number of items to be sold in a shorter period of time. It isn’t just about the number of shipments, though. When a supply chain is operating more efficiently, there are fewer delays throughout the life of any given shipment. This means that drivers are less likely to be affected by detention on either end of the shipment. Even a few extra hours with a shipper can add an entire day to delivery time due to hours-of-service regulations. When a warehouse can get a truck loaded quickly, they are helping both the customer and the driver.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of a lean supply chain. The benefits at creating a lean supply chain are immense and when companies are working together on their sustainability efforts, it is incredible what they’re able to accomplish. We can help shippers accomplish their goals of a leaner supply chain through our custom carrier solutions as well as shipment optimization so companies can be confident in their sustainability efforts. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

It’s no secret that market rates for shipping have steadily increased. Due to increased production, harsh weather conditions and other effects on the market, carriers are having to adjust their pricing to accommodate these market forces. Yet while carriers are being inundated with shipment requests, shippers are finding that even though transportation costs keep rising, service levels are deteriorating. Shippers that don’t maintain any sort of relationship with their carriers are facing a falling level of service expectations, which only results in a lose-lose situation.

It is vital for carriers to provide a high level of service to their customers, providing guidance, ensuring shipments are delivered on time and communicating with their customers if anything goes wrong. What this trend shows is that when manufacturers only rely on the spot markets, they’re often found to be dealing with brokers that pair them with a company that sees the freight as “just another shipment.” Freight ends up damaged, claims need to be filed, and manufacturers have to produce replacements, all while dealing with a dissatisfied customer. It’s the all too familiar domino effect of cut-rate prices leading to cut-rate service and is not a viable long-term strategy,

As we’ve stated several times, the solution here is for manufacturers to build long-term, sustainable relationships with their carriers. These partnerships will allow both companies to provide an increased level of service to the stakeholders that get lost in these discussions on rates: the customer. Manufacturers who have partnered with their carriers have flourished through these challenging market conditions and have a much higher level of satisfaction both personally and with their customers. Once both sides go in with a partnership mindset, neither will be at the mercy of market forces.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of service better than anyone. We work hard to ensure that every shipment will arrive on time and undamaged, and we provide our customers with the custom carrier solutions that will work for their business. Whenever a customer calls our offices, they’ll speak with a person who will help however they can, never with a machine. Our customers have a higher level of satisfaction than the average carrier, but that’s because we operate at a level where premium is the standard at Zip Xpress. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

We’ve all experienced delays in shipping. Mechanical breakdowns, inclement weather, and traffic are unavoidable parts of life. Experienced manufacturing and logistics professionals understand that these are problems that they will face on a regular basis. What’s harder to understand is when these delays aren’t communicated to the customer. Sometimes, a simple phone call might be all it takes to avoid a catastrophic production line shutdown or retail storefront shortage. However, many transportation providers still seem to think that proactive communication is not an important service offering.

Large national carriers are undoubtedly successful, and they provide wide-ranging services that help many customers reach their delivery goals. Yet they experience the same inevitabilities as other carriers, and sometimes their customers suffer more because of it. When a breakdown happens, it’s likely that the customer won’t know until they call in to inquire about a delay. Larger, corporate customers will be given priority on the recovery because they provide more volume. Smaller customers simply get a new delivery date without much effort to correct the error or you’re told to check their website, only to see a product hasn’t moved in three days.

This is all part of big business, so we can’t blame these mega carriers for making decisions that help their bottom line. That said it’s important for manufacturers to remember that national carriers are not their only option. Logistics managers would be wise to build relationships with dedicated carriers who would value their business. Many of these providers know the importance of communication and will go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction. Working with a specialized carrier will open new opportunities you may not have even realized existed, creating a more robust and effective supply chain. When something goes wrong, customers can expect to speak with a real representative who understands the issue rather than sitting through multiple phone prompts only to be told that there is no way to fix the delay.

At Zip Xpress, we understand what it takes to be a trusted carrier for our manufacturing partners. Every time a customer calls, they will speak with a person who will do whatever they can to assist with the shipment or direct the customer to someone who can help. Either way, customers who call Zip Xpress always get a person, never a machine. Our experience with our customer’s industries has familiarized us with the unique challenges associated with their freight, which is how we’re able to create a custom carrier solution for every company we partner with. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!