Keeping Freight Moving Forward, No Matter What

In an uncertain economy, having a reliable and dedicated carrier is essential for shippers to ensure their shipments keep moving forward. At Zip Xpress, we are prepared to tackle any challenge that comes our way. With our focus on transporting unique freight, our commitment to sustainability, and a dedication to exceptional service, we stand out as the ideal carrier for shippers in many industries.

We understand the unique challenges faced by industries such as office furniture, medical machinery, conveyors, automation technology, and plant nurseries. These sectors require specialized handling and transportation solutions, and we have the expertise and experience to meet their specific needs. By dedicating ourselves to servicing these industries, we’re able to continually improve our operations and develop innovative strategies that provide better service for all manufacturers of unique freight.

Sustainability is a key priority for us at Zip Xpress. We go beyond simply transporting goods by offering optimization solutions that help companies reduce their carbon footprint. By minimizing the number of trucks on the road, we contribute to environmental preservation through reduced carbon dioxide emissions and reduce wear and tear on roads. Additionally, we provide monthly sustainability reports to showcase the positive impact companies are making by choosing our more sustainable transportation options.

Exceptional service lies at the heart of our values. We understand the importance of delivering freight on time and in pristine condition. Regardless of the circumstances, we guarantee that your shipments will arrive on time and undamaged. Our commitment to providing a guaranteed amount of capacity also ensures that your shipments will never be left stranded when you need us most. Our team is always available to answer your calls and provide guidance, ensuring you never have to deal with an impersonal answering machine. No problem is too big for us and we are dedicated to finding the right custom carrier solutions to help you address any logistical challenge. We’ll work alongside you to build the exceptional supply chain that will drive your businesses growth.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand what it means to keep freight moving forward, no matter what. With our expertise, sustainability focus, and commitment to exceptional service, you can trust that your freight is in good hands. We are ready to help you navigate the complexities of transportation, ensuring your business stays on track and will succeed, no matter what the economic climate looks like. Any time you have a problem, we’ll have a custom carrier solution and you’ll see why we’ve been able to maintain a 99% satisfaction rating with all of our customers for more than 20 years. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

Zip Xpress: Stable Supply Chains and Exceptional Service

With the summer season just around the corner, businesses across the country are gearing up to meet the demands of their customers while also developing regionalized supply chains. Many shippers are beginning to implement the strategy of ‘make where they sell.’ Such efforts will inevitably prove more challenging, which means that working with a national carrier can be a significant advantage, since they can provide connections to potential suppliers and routes that will work best for optimizing your shipments. 

Contracts are also a key component of maintaining stability in the supply chain because contracts stipulate a specific level of guaranteed capacity with your carrier. In a highly competitive market, it’s crucial to secure a consistent and dependable amount of capacity rather than settling for cut-rate service that may compromise the quality and timeliness of deliveries. With a contract in place, businesses can have peace of mind, knowing that their shipping needs are accounted for, even during the peak summer months.

Effective communication is the final cornerstone of a stable supply chain for this summer. Maintaining open lines of communication between your supply chain partners allows you to adapt to your changing needs or the needs of your customers. Many shippers are actively negotiating with their carriers on a regular basis. Whether it’s adjusting delivery schedules, accommodating special requirements, or providing real-time updates, a carrier that is focused on service will be able to provide this information to you when you need it and be willing to go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction. They will be able to advise on what is feasible and give you the best input on how your business should proceed.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of providing stability to your supply chain. We don’t focus on providing exceptional service just during the summer months, but all year. We pride ourselves on being able to always get your shipments to their destination on time and undamaged, no matter what. We’ll abide by our service standards, which show exactly how many days it will take your shipment to arrive at its destination. We’re here to help you with whatever you need when it comes to shipping and we’re always a phone call away. We will answer any questions you may have and provide you with the custom carrier solutions that will allow you to build a stable supply chain you can count on. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

Protecting Your Freight: Essential Fraud Prevention Tips for Shippers

In today’s rapidly evolving trucking industry, freight fraud has emerged as a significant concern for shippers. Tech-savvy individuals posing as middlemen are orchestrating fraudulent schemes by diverting substantial sums of money meant for shipping goods. Online load matching platforms are their primary place of operations due to intense competition as well as little oversight. Shippers must take proactive measures to safeguard their shipments as well as their financial interests due to this escalating issue. This article aims to shed light on freight fraud and provide valuable tips for shippers to prevent falling victim to such scams.

Freight fraud, commonly known as double-brokering, has gained momentum over the past few years due to the digitalization of load matching processes. According to TriumphPay, an estimated $500 million to $700 million of shippers’ and brokers’ freight payments fall into the hands of these “double brokers” each year. This alarming trend poses a significant challenge to the trust between shippers, carriers, and brokers, jeopardizing the integrity of the entire supply chain. 

Freight fraud also disproportionately affects smaller carriers, brokers and shippers, who often operate on narrow profit margins and struggle to recover after losing a single fraudulent payment for a load. As freight demand fluctuates and costs rise, these businesses are left vulnerable to the detrimental consequences of fraud and won’t know who to turn to. However, there are solutions to help mitigate risks, which involve the active collaboration of trusted carriers or brokers that prioritize security and transparency for your business.

Some Effective Fraud Prevention Strategies include:

Development of Strong Relationships: Fostering closer ties with reputable carriers and brokers will help build trust while maintaining open lines of communication will help establish a robust partnership based on integrity and accountability.

Thorough Vetting Process: Prioritize due diligence when selecting carriers or brokers. Verify their licensing status with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and seek recommendations from trusted industry peers. Take the time to review their track record, financial stability, and reputation.

Secure Payment Procedures: Implement secure payment protocols to minimize the risk of funds falling into the wrong hands. Establish clear payment terms and verify banking details before initiating any financial transactions.

Regular Auditing: Conduct periodic audits of your shipments as well as shipping partners to identify any anomalies or suspicious activities.

Stay Informed: Learn the latest industry trends and evolving fraud tactics. Engage with your trade associations, attend conferences, and participate in knowledge-sharing activities to gain insights and learn from the experiences of others.

Report Suspected Fraud: If you encounter any fraudulent activities or suspect double-brokering, promptly report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as the FMCSA and local law enforcement agencies. By doing so, you contribute to the collective effort in combating fraud and protecting the industry.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of safeguarding your freight from fraud. We are proactive in developing closer relationships with all of our customers to help minimize the risk of fraud which include speaking with you on the phone as well as other procedures we utilize to ensure your company’s safety. We will guide you through the process of protecting your company’s information as well as your freight from both fraud and damage. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

Boost Your Bottom Line: Analyzing KPIs for Successful Plant Shipments to Garden Centers

For plant nursery owners, this is the time of year to analyze how your shipments to garden centers have turned out so far. Determining your KPIs will help you understand how successful your shipping strategy was for this year as well as provide indicators on how you need to adjust for next year. This is especially relevant if you’re shipping ‘dry’ because the weather throughout the Midwest can turn on a dime with temperatures fluctuating wildly and wreak havoc on the plants you worked so hard to get to your customers. The risks of extreme cold or warm temperatures are amplified within the trailer, which make it even more important to ‘get it right.’

One metric that nurseries must analyze is the survival rate of their plants arriving at the garden center. It’s a vital metric since it directly impacts your bottom line. If your plants are arriving in poor condition or not surviving due to your transportation provider, this will result in lost sales and damage to your reputation. If you’re able to boost the survival rate of your plants, there is a much greater likelihood that you’ll receive repeat business from satisfied customers. While every business will have their own definition of a ‘successful’ survival rate, we believe that if it’s below 97% then it may be time to reconsider your transportation strategy.

A way nurseries try to protect their plants is through the use of masterboxes which help insulate some of the more temperature sensitive plants. While these are helpful, the additional cost can cause sticker shock for many nurseries. On top of this, they are not a very sustainable solution, as those boxes will need to be disposed of after they’ve been delivered. Even if they’re made of corrugated cardboard, there is no guarantee that the customer will recycle these boxes. The efforts at providing a more sustainable solution are effectively null. To create a more sustainable shipment, we recommend the use of a temperature controlled trailer, which can be kept at a consistent 35-65 degrees (Fahrenheit) which will keep plants healthy and hydrated through the duration of the trip. 

Another critical KPI you plant nursery would be wise to consider is on-time delivery. Are you working with a dependable, reliable carrier to get your plants to their destination on time and undamaged? Every day counts for plants because they’re alive, and since they’re being shipped when the weather changes are most dramatic, every day they’re late puts them more at risk. Working with a reliable carrier that can provide you access to a temperature controlled trailer will help eliminate these risks and ensure that your plants will arrive safely and your customers will be satisfied. You will benefit from providing better plants to garden centers who will turn to you year after year.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of getting your plants to the garden center healthy and hydrated. We utilize our temperature controlled trailers for all of our nursery customers and we’ll maintain the optimal temperature to your specifications from the time of pickup to the delivering terminal. We can even provide full temperature control the entire time of transport for your more sensitive plants. We also have a long history of getting our shipments to their destination on time and undamaged, no matter what. If you’ve reviewed your KPIs and want a better solution for your nursery business, then start today with Zip Xpress!