Month: <span>September 2022</span>

A recent industry survey asked shippers and carriers about their biggest challenges in managing their supply chain. While we discussed some of these findings last week, the greatest challenge for many shippers (84%) was in controlling their transportation costs. While there are many factors that go into these costs they are necessary in order to get goods to the customer. However there is a strategy that shippers can adopt which helps them to maximize every dollar they’re spending in shipping, and can create a win-win situation for everyone in the supply chain. But first, we need to understand why transportation costs are so high.

One of the leading reasons for high transportation costs lies in the price of diesel fuel. It’s one of the greatest contributors to unease in the American economy since trucking is the primary means of transporting goods to the customer. Fuel prices have a direct impact on the customer, which unfortunately carriers have little control over. However the biggest contributing factor to transportation costs is that too many trucks are driving across the country with little more than air in their trailers.

The reason for this? Well many shipments are still being marked as ‘Full Truckload’ even though the size of the shipment is nowhere near the size of a trailer. ‘Less than Truckload’ or LTL is not a great alternative due to the cost to the shipper – sometimes that partial truckload shipment can cost as much as a full trailer. Plus many shippers see LTL as risky for their freight.  There is a third option, one which we’ve piloted time and again to great success. Our Headload Optimization solution only charges you for the space you’re using and our experienced freight handlers will ensure your shipments will arrive on time and undamaged. Optimizing shipments like this helps reduce the number of trucks on the road, creating a more sustainable supply chain and maximizing every dollar in your transportation budget.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of maximizing every transportation dollar you spend. That’s why we work to optimize every shipment in our care and provide you with an unmatched level of service. We’ve been helping companies optimize their shipments for more than 20 years and there isn’t a challenge we aren’t ready to meet. Our dedication to service and providing win-win solutions is unparalleled in the industry which is why we’re able to maintain a 99% retention rate with all of our customers. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

As we prepare to enter into the final quarter of 2022, many of the challenges that we’ve faced the past few years appear to have eased, if only a little bit. Many business leaders wonder what shipping challenges may come next, but most are ready for what lies ahead. The biggest challenge for many is attempting to plan for a future that is hard to predict. Yet at the heart of this challenge are a few challenges that have always been prevalent when it comes to getting a product to the customer on time and undamaged. We’ll outline the two biggest issues facing shippers and how they can overcome them to have a successful final quarter and hit the new year running.

Finding a Reliable Shipping Partner

Finding a reliable shipping partner has proven time and again to be one of the greatest challenges shippers face in getting their products from production to the customer. Many businesses believe that finding a dedicated shipping partner is preferred even over competitive shipping rates. This goes to show that consistency is what matters most in the logistics industry. Finding the right carrier that will get your shipment to the customer on time and undamaged and provides you with the ease of mind is more important than ever. But how does a manufacturer go about finding the right shipping partner? The best place to start is in doing your research and focusing on the best carriers for your industry. Ask questions, make inquiries and see which carrier is the best fit for your business. This is a long term solution, one that cannot be taken lightly.

Securing Capacity

This doesn’t come as a surprise, but many businesses are still struggling to find capacity for their shipments. The unfortunate truth is that many of those still struggling are only utilizing a broker and are in search of cut-rate service. Again, the best option for these companies is to partner with an experienced carrier that can help solve your capacity challenges. This will take some legwork on everyone’s part and businesses can’t take advantage of each other, at least in the long term. Securing capacity also comes down to optimization. Inquiring about how a carrier optimizes their shipments may help ensure that yours gets added in for delivery, but you’ll need to understand that such expertise needs to be valued. That said, you’ll find that the peace of mind of working with a carrier that can get your shipments to their destination on time and undamaged more than makes up for the cost. You’ll also be able to focus on other important areas, namely working on your business.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand just how difficult it can be to plan for a future that’s hard to predict. While we don’t have any way to predict the future, we focus instead on the fundamentals of providing incredible service and problem solving that gets every shipment to its destination on time and undamaged. We believe that these fundamentals will see us through whatever challenges we come across because focusing on the fundamentals has worked for us for more than 20 years. This focus is also why we’re able to maintain a 99% satisfaction rating with all of our customers time and time again. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

This week we show our appreciation to a working class of Americans who have seen us through thick and thin, keeping the shelves of our stores and businesses filled with every necessity we can possibly imagine. The American economy is built upon trucking as our primary logistical network. The importance of drivers and their contribution to keeping our economy running cannot be overstated. While many have had multiple supply chain situations to navigate, our drivers have been the bridge in getting these goods to the consumers. Let’s review some of the ways we can show our appreciation to these hard working professionals.

One way to show drivers your appreciation is to give a shoutout on social media. The logistics provider C. H. Robinson has published the hashtag #ThanksForEverythingLiterally as a way people can thank truck drivers who keep our lifestyles possible. You can also thank a driver in person if you come across one in your daily routine. Giving thanks to drivers lets them feel valued for what they have done because if you take a moment and look at all of the items around you and realize that a driver delivered them to the store or warehouse you got them from, you realize just how much drivers do for us.

Another way to show your appreciation is if you see a driver at a rest stop or a restaurant, consider paying for their food & drinks. A simple act such as this one would make anyone’s day and make a person feel appreciated. Your compassion to these drivers who are under a lot of pressure will go a long way in showing how much you appreciate them. Remember, drivers have a stressful job and are under a lot of pressure to keep moving in order to get their deliveries to their destination on time. On top of that, there is always another shipment waiting for him, so a driver’s job is rarely ‘done.’

Most of all, one of the best ways you can show appreciation to drivers is by being respectful to them while they’re on the road. Avoid cutting off semi trucks and give them the space they need to merge into traffic or change lanes. The machinery they’re driving requires a skillset and forces them to exercise caution. When drivers aren’t given the space they need it puts many people in danger because it is very easy for one of these machines to get away from a person, even if they are experienced in handling the machine. Giving drivers the space they need makes their jobs easier, helps them get to their destination on time, and keeps everyone safe.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of showing our appreciation to drivers. We do what we can to show our drivers just how important they are to us. We listen to their concerns, provide training and keep their vehicles in tip top shape, but we’re always working hard to give them their due respect. It is our hope that we can all show more appreciation to our drivers, because it’s the drivers who are the face of a logistics company. We’re forever grateful for the friendliness and can-do attitude our drivers show when they pick up & deliver every shipment that’s in our care. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

This week we honor all of America’s labor force, including the people who have helped build this company we call Zip Xpress. It is because of these remarkable people we’ve been able to create a culture that stands out in the logistics field and a dynamic company that only keeps getting better. It’s because of the hard work and dedication to providing great service that we here at Zip Xpress are one of the few companies that can truly say we have built a culture that cares about the people both inside and outside of the company.

To build onto this culture, we naturally select candidates who have a ‘can-do’ attitude and a mentality for service towards a greater good. We want everyone here at Zip Xpress to know that we’re there for them – from our drivers, to the freight handlers, to the front office staff. Everyone here is treated with respect, because we understand that everyone’s natural strengths help make Zip a better place than it was before. We understand that skills can be taught so we seek attitude first and foremost. As a result, our office collaborates with carriers across the field and our associates work together to provide the best custom carrier solutions for your shipment while it’s in our care.

When you call our organization, there will always be a person that will answer your call, never a machine. Everyone you speak with will ask: ‘Is this something I can help you with?’ Our freight handlers will handle your shipment with the utmost care, and you won’t have to worry about damaged freight. Our drivers will provide a smile to every customer whether they’re making a pickup or a delivery. Our associates will help you by calling & scheduling these appointments, working on a timeframe that suits you best. Our business was built with the people of logistics in mind and we have always believed in the incredible value of service.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of culture, which is why we’ve worked very hard to find the best, brightest and the friendliest people to work with. Through our incredible associates we have well documented procedures for every transaction, problem solving that gets every shipment to its destination on time and undamaged and sustainability initiatives that actually work. It’s because of these people who work so hard that we can claim a 99% retention rate with all of our customers. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!