During times of supply chain congestion, it is vital that every member of the supply chain look for inefficiencies in a concentrated effort of keeping shipments moving. One of the key areas that inefficiencies can thrive is the loading and unloading process. While the reasons may vary, inefficiencies with loading and unloading is a critical pain point, specifically for drivers. They have traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles to reach their destination at the designated appointment time only to be told to wait. Once a driver arrives at their destination, there is little they can do other than wait since they cannot simply drive the shipment back.
Being forced to wait in this manner is one of the key factors as to why there is a driver shortage. All too often drivers aren’t treated as professionals, and there is little concern shown about their wellbeing when they’re forced to wait two to six hours for their shipment to be unloaded. Any attempt to enforce fees from extensive waiting is unlikely to go over well and as a result, nobody makes any money when this happens. Word spreads about warehouses that make drivers wait, primarily through Google Reviews, which can cause carriers to be hesitant to deliver a shipment to such a location or a raise in rates to compensate for long unloading times. In this instance one or both results occur: longer shipping times or more expensive shipping rates, neither of which are good for a shipper.
The best way to eliminate this inefficiency is for a collaboration between shippers, carriers and warehouse managers. Scheduling loading/unloading times, keeping communication lines constantly open and sticking to the shipments schedule will go a long way in cementing a great relationship between shippers, warehouse managers and carriers. Once all members of the party understand where the inefficiencies lie, they can take proactive measures to reduce or even eliminate them, creating a more efficient supply chain at a time when we need it most. This collaboration can prevent many headaches, fees and rates from spiraling out of control.
Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of collaborating with shippers and customers when it comes to loading and unloading shipments. We schedule calls for pickup and delivery, taking out all of the guesswork in this process. From there our professional drivers will arrive precisely when they need to, making the entire process painless for our customers and their customers. Companies appreciate the extra effort we take in coordinating deliveries, which is why we’re able to maintain a 99% satisfaction rate with our customers. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!
