Category: <span>Custom Carrier Solutions</span>

One of Zip’s primary goals is to achieve what is known as ‘Perfect Order Fulfillment.’ This is described by the Supply Chain Council as a discrete measurement defined as the percentage of orders delivered to the right place, with the right product, at the right time, in the right condition, in the right package, in the right quantity, with the right documentation, to the right customer, with the correct invoice.

The best method to achieve perfect order fulfillment is by extended visibility across the supply chain. Zip does this by making every step of the fulfillment process as visible as possible with our employees. We’ve designed the layout of the office, dispatch board and shipment binder to make every step of the process as easy to understand as possible. Our goal is to have everyone trained to be ready to step in and help out at a moment’s notice. We track each shipment carefully from start to finish and keep communication with the customer as open as possible.

We monitor the entire process of the shipment, searching for ways we can improve service to the customer. We keep desks neat and tidy to ensure orders don’t get mixed up. We collaborate together to find shipping solutions and ensure everyone gets what they need in order to achieve satisfaction.

Finally, we focus on making every step of the process as consistent as possible. Our team is in constant communication with one another, ensuring that if there’s a problem we’ll fix it right away. Our team of experts has been consistent for years, which allows us to provide the same results shipment after shipment.

Perfect order fulfillment is not simple, or even easy, but it can be achieved. It is a process, one that we strive for every day. It is a challenge we love taking on, and if you’d like to see how we can make your order perfect, get started with Zip Xpress today!

At month’s end within Zip Xpress, it’s a hive of activity. We know the days will be long, fulfilling orders that come flying in. We order pizza, our sales staff brings in sweet treats and there are bowls of gummy bears everywhere. We dig in, prepare for our month-end shipments, and most don’t leave until it’s done.

Across Zip Xpress, every employee knows about every shipment. We’re always solving problems, asking questions out loud of what we do with shipments that require our special attention. Anyone who has an idea can chime in, which helps us come up with the most innovative solutions. As we deliberate, everyone passes by our new customer board, which lists in big bold letters who our newest customers are.

Everyone at Zip is trained on how to give a basic quote. It’s not uncommon to see someone running from one computer to another to fill out a quote because our goal is to get a customer a quote within five minutes of receiving an inquiry. We want you to be able to make a decision as quickly as possible, and respect your time in the process.

We build our shipments by stacking our slips in order of delivery, which is shuffled multiple times right up until the shipment leaves our dock. When building each shipment, we have to consider the route and the order the products are placed within the trailers. Our warehouse experts work diligently to secure each customer’s product, doing their best to ensure nothing will move during transit.

Everyone at Zip is ready to answer the phone. Every call comes in, and the first person who’s available answers the call. That’s why whenever you call Zip Xpress, you’ll talk to a human being and you’ll never have to wait on hold listening to a machine.

At Zip Xpress, every part of our system is built to serve the customer. We work to solve problems, and include everyone in the company because collaboration creates great ideas. Everyone in our company is here to serve, so if you’d like to see us in action, feel free to schedule a tour or better yet, start today with Zip Xpress and see for yourself!

Every shipper, receiver, and carrier will be affected by damaged freight at some point in time. While it may seem like you simply need to replace the damaged product and move on, there is more to it than that. Lost product is not the only cost that is incurred when a shipment shows up with damage. In fact, there are several ways that damaged freight can be financially harmful for everybody involved in the supply chain.

If a replacement is required, manufacturers incur the costs of making new product and shipping it to the destination. The receiving warehouse will lose funds since they will be unable to sell the damaged product. All of these coordination efforts require the attention of customer service reps and warehouse workers, consuming hours to replace an order rather than make new sales. Employees need to be paid, and that lost productivity is has a hidden cost as well. Whenever a product shows up damaged, the multiple steps taken to replace it take time away from other more pressing tasks. Even if a company employs OS&D specialists, they are spending money for the sole purpose of fixing issues that arise from lost or damaged freight, not with generating revenue.

In addition to the traceable costs incurred from shipping damage, there are even more hidden costs in the form of relationships. One damaged product can often be forgiven, but if it is a regular occurrence, customers will start blaming the carrier or the manufacturer. Whether they believe it is due to poor packaging or subpar equipment, they will begin to question if it is worth the effort to maintain the relationship. This lost trust can lead to a customer switching to a competitor, and the attrition will hurt any company’s bottom line. This is why it is so important to minimize damage and to have a solid, efficient process to follow when the inevitable problems occur. To see how we can prevent damage with your next shipment, get started with Zip Xpress today!

Logistics is an industry that requires strong risk management. There is a lot of uncertainty in logistics, particularly with timely deliveries, so it’s vital for companies to plan ahead to reduce the risk of failure. With capacity becoming tighter in the current market and only getting worse in upcoming quarters, there are many things that shippers can do to develop their risk management strategies. Our goal is to bring you superior planning skills and attention to detail when it comes to managing the risk of your product.

Managing costs is a major pain point for shippers and customers as truckload rates experience high levels of volatility in today’s market. Zip Xpress tries to alleviate the burden of these increasing costs by offering a variety of headload solutions including expedites high value or sensitive handling and crew waiting shipment. What these mean that the customer only pays for the space they need. It’s important to save as much money as possible when shipping partial loads, and the headload solution is a great way to allocate the correct funds while benefiting from fast, reliable service.

With minimal handling throughout the shipping process, Zip Xpress reduces a customer’s risk of lost or damaged freight. They provide direct, door-to-door deliveries on air-ride trailers, so customers can be assured that their shipment is in good hands. Instead of being shuffled through countless terminals,

The experienced professionals at Zip Xpress are detail-oriented, making sure to pay attention to every line of the BOL and confirm that all of the information is verified. Seemingly inconsequential inaccuracies can cause major disruptions in your service to the customer, and Zip makes every effort to eradicate these errors before they even happen. This dedication to risk management and efficient shipping processes is what makes Zip Xpress such a respected organization in the transportation world. To learn more about how Zip can manage your supply chain’s risk, get started with Zip Xpress today!

In Part 4 of our New Business Series, we discuss the importance of coordinating delivery for your business. You want your business to be reliable, a company that your customers can trust. We help make that happen by working with you and your customer, making the delivery of your Unique Freight as seamless as possible. 

Those who have worked in the shipping industry for any significant amount of time know that it is far more complicated and involved than the average person may think. However, when it comes to customers, their opinion of a logistics provider basically boils down to one question: Do they pick up and deliver on time? No matter what happens throughout the life of the shipment, carriers are evaluated by their on-time delivery rates. One often-overlooked area of this is the coordination of pickups and deliveries.

In some cases, a carrier can receive an order and simply pick up and deliver at any time they see fit. These 24/7, first come first serve facilities are nice and simple to worth with, but the reality is that they are rare. In general, carriers need to either set their appointments or abide by those set by the customer. In the case that the customer sets the appointments, the carrier should perform their due diligence in confirming the dates and times with the warehouses and checking to see if there are any specific pickup or delivery instructions. Just like in any industry, being prepared ahead of time can help alleviate any problems that may occur down the line.

Zip Xpress does everything they can to cover all the bases on every shipment, from coordinating delivery to building trust by making every interaction professional and friendly. Any time there are special requirements such as needing to arrange for a loading or unloading crew, the professionals at Zip make it a priority to represent your business well as a touch point for your customers. This attention to detail and emphasis on caring about the customer’s problems is what sets Zip apart. Anybody can pick up a shipment, but it takes a quality team of experts to prioritize customer service in the way that Zip Xpress does. To coordinate a delivery for your shipment, please get started with Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

In Part 3 of our New Business Series, we explain the importance of the Bill of Lading (BOL) which is one of the most important shipping documents. This will help you build an efficient supply chain for your growing business. You can find the other posts in this series at the bottom of the post.

A properly filled Bill of Lading is a necessary document for any shipment, providing all pertinent information about locations, parties involved, and specific shipping directions. Generally, a Bill of Lading seems pretty straightforward. However, a small error or oversight can cause major headaches down the line, so it is important to pay careful attention when filling out a BOL. New customers may be intimidated by filling out a BOL, but it is a relatively simple practice that becomes easier with time and experience. Just like any professional document, the most important part is to pay attention and double check all of the information.

The shipper and consignee addresses should be analyzed with care. One wrong digit in the zip code could cause delays in pickup or delivery, so they should be double checked every time, even if the software fills them in automatically. Moving too fast with auto-fill may accidentally bring up an entirely different location in another state. When left unfixed, this can mean there will be reconsignment delays and fees down the line. Taking a few seconds to scan the information is far easier than re-routing a truck and talking to angry customers or vendors.

A shipper does not need to fill out a PRO number – that’s the carrier’s job – but they should provide a PO number and BOL number that matches their records. Upon pickup of the freight, the carrier will provide a PRO number, and customers need to document this for tracking and billing purposes. Much like with shipper and consignee information, any reference numbers should be double-checked and recorded with care. This makes tracking, searching, and filing more efficient. A missed or incorrect digit means that the file will have to be searched manually, which takes much more time.

The Bill of Lading is very important, but it doesn’t need to be scary. Avoiding errors is as simple as double checking and paying attention to detail. Taking a moment at the beginning of the process will make for smoother sailing throughout the life of the shipment. It is important to remember that this is a binding document and should be treated as such. If you still need assistance with the BOL, feel free to reach out to our expert staff at Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

In Part 2 of our New Business series, we go further in depth of the services that Zip Xpress provides to their customers. Our goal is to provide an overview, but if you wish to get the best recommendations for your business please contact Zip Xpress directly (1-800-889-8583) and one of our consultants will be happy to help you! 

Whether you are a small business new to shipping or a large international company, it isn’t always clear which shipping solutions you should use for all of your loads. Zip Xpress is here to help make things clear with a wide range of customer-focused solutions. We want to give you a better understanding of these options and help you in choose the best for your organization.

Expedited LTL Solution

You may be preparing a shipment that you know has to be expedited once it’s finished. On the other hand, you might have an emergency that requires a truck immediately and needs to be sent cross-country as quickly as possible. In either case, you can benefit from using our Expedited LTL Solution. We will do everything in our power to get your shipment picked up and delivered in the timeframe that you require.

Blanket Wrap Solution

If you have fragile, expensive freight that requires special care in handling and transport, choose our Blanket Wrap Solution. Our experts are professionally trained at handling delicate freight. Every one of our blanket wrapped shipments is put on an air-ride logistics trailer, ensuring a smooth ride and extra protection from potential shifting. With door-to-door delivery, you can rest assured knowing that your freight is only being handled at the front and back end, reducing the chance of damage caused by multiple terminal stops.

Headload Solution

If you have an LTL or partial shipment that requires truckload service but don’t have the budget for a dedicated truck, our Headload Solution is the answer for you. You will pay only for the space your load takes up as you will be matched with similar shipments traveling in your direction. Whether your shipment is high-value, time-sensitive, or requires special handling, we can accommodate your needs with our Headload option.

LTL Solution

Standard LTL shipments are low-cost options for shipments that aren’t on a strict timeline. If you have a flexible schedule, you can receive great cost savings with our LTL Solution. Zip Xpress sets itself apart from other LTL carriers by offering faster transit times and reducing the number of terminals and handling that is involved in every shipment. If you need to save money but still want reliable, friendly service, try our LTL Solution.

No matter what your shipping problem is, Zip Xpress has an answer for you. With our professional, friendly, and courteous staff, you can expect to receive the highest quality service for any of your needs. We are available 24/7 and promise to provide you with the right solution in a fast, efficient, and effective way.

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

This is Part 1 of a series which we’re dedicating to growing businesses who need help in setting up their supply chain. Other companies expect you to figure this out on your own, but Zip is dedicated to bringing you the best customer service the logistics world can offer.

In the world of transportation, it can be difficult to handle large, unexpected orders. This is especially true if the freight is specialized or fragile. Shippers must determine what the most effective route to take is when it comes to their supply chain. Packaging for specialized orders can be expensive, but if they skimp on costs there, they may end up with damage claims that will cost them more in the long run. Fortunately, Zip Xpress is striving to do everything it can to take some of the pressure off of new businesses who want to streamline their supply chain processes.

The packaging concern is one that must be evaluated by each and every customer. It is beneficial to do a cost analysis to see if the prevented damage is worth the increased cost in packaging. In some cases, a shipper may decide that the small amount of damage they incur will actually be cheaper than putting expensive packaging on every shipment. Zip’s door-to-door delivery model helps to reduce the likelihood of damage thanks to the fact that they don’t handle the freight through break bulks. The reduced amount of handling and transferring of freight allows Zip to keep their customer’s freight intact from beginning to end. Still, it is important for customers to determine the proper dimensions and weight of their shipments in order to give an accurate representation to the carrier. This helps Zip to better plan, prepare, and execute their shipments in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

Once Zip has this information, they make it a priority to coordinate the shipping and receiving schedules based on their customer’s needs. A customer can help move this process along by having all the pertinent information available when they send an order Zip’s way. The professionals at Zip will start the planning process and do everything they can to route the freight quickly and correctly.  Whether the shipment is a single pallet or an entire truckload, effective and proactive communication is vital to forming a working and successful relationship between the carrier and the customer. To learn more about what solutions we can provide your business, get started with Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

With a long history as the automobile production capital of the United States, it’s no surprise that Michigan ranks as the most highly automated state in the nation. In fact, the state accounts for 12 percent of the country’s industrial robots. While Detroit remains the leader in the automation with 8.5 robots for every 1,000 workers, Western Michigan is experiencing an automation boom of its own. In Grand Rapids, there are 6.3 robots for every 1,000 workers, making it the most automated of all mid-size cities.

With automation sweeping across Western Michigan and robotic technologies continually improving, there are many changes taking place across various industries. Increased manufacturing output creates a need for more quality control and places a heavier burden on the supply chain. As more businesses flock to West Michigan, there is an amplified need to bring in their machines as well as ship out the items they produce. Supply chain managers must make changes to ensure they are keeping up with the improved efficiencies of automation.

Zip Xpress, a full-service provider of custom carrier solutions, has a long-standing reputation as one of West Michigan’s finest logistics companies. The experienced and professional staff at Zip Xpress is dedicated to creating the most efficient solutions for all of their customers. Because Zip continually strives to be a leader in supply chain management, they are sufficiently adapting with the changing climate of West Michigan’s manufacturing. This means they have the expertise and resources to fill in the gaps in any organization’s supply chain.

From office furniture to medical machinery, Zip is here to reliably transport their customer’s goods, providing the highest level of service throughout the process. Clients can focus on manufacturing and increasing automation while the specialists at Zip Xpress take over the shipping and supply chain functions. At Zip Xpress, problem-solving and transportation efficiency are prioritized, giving customers peace of mind that their products are safe and on time. If you are a manufacturer in West Michigan seeking a committed custom carrier solution, get started with Zip Xpress today!