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

As final shipments are being made for the year, everyone is rushing to meet the deliveries in the midst of congested supply chains everywhere. Now it is more critical than ever to remember the importance of keeping great service during times of congestion, since every member of the supply chain’s shipments may be taking longer to arrive than expected due to forces beyond their control. Here are a few ways we recommend keeping great service during times of congestion.

First, communicate any and all delays to all members of the supply chain. Going out of your way to communicate with vendors and customers will help ease tensions between all parties, especially when they know why. While it can be hard to admit when production or a shipment is behind schedule, providing the reasons allows for understanding, especially when you call them over the phone. Everyone is more understanding when they speak to another human being and bringing each member of the supply chain into the fold allows for solutions to arise that didn’t exist before. 

Another key to providing great service in times of congestion is for companies to collaborate with their logistics provider to determine forecasting. Once companies have a greater understanding of their supply chain schedules, they can develop a flexible plan that governs when they order materials and coordinating shipping schedules with customers to ensure they can get products to their door when they need them. This also allows flexibility to be built into the supply chain which causes the supply chain to absorb any delays and still allow a shipper to deliver their products on time. Such collaborative efforts allow shippers to reap the benefits of improved satisfaction and more orders from faithful customers.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of great service. Everything we do is designed to provide greater service for our customers and it is a value of ours that never falters. Whenever you call our office, you will speak with a person, never a machine. When we work with you, we coordinate with you and your customer for pickup and delivery, maintaining a schedule that works with everyone involved. Our friendly drivers will greet your customers with a smile, because they understand how important an impression on a customer is. Everyone at Zip Xpress is dedicated to great service and it’s the key value that connects us as an organization. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

It is no secret that any supply chain can become complex. With so many articles and newsreels about backups, driver shortages, and congestion (both local and international), it would be understandable if a shipper found themselves wondering: will my customers receive their shipments on time? The supply chain is a key component of any business and what you want more than anything is to keep your customers satisfied by ensuring that your products arrive undamaged and on time.

One of the key ways to reduce complexity in your supply chain is to partner and work with a carrier you can trust. Working with a carrier directly removes the constant search for quotes and back-and-forth communication you will have with a freight broker. As an added benefit, you won’t be leaving your freight ‘up to chance’ to be handled by a random company where you have no idea how they communicate with customers (if at all), or some of their other policies pertaining to your shipment. The best option for mid-sized companies going forward is to partner with a carrier rather than spend countless hours on the hunt with brokers in hopes of getting a shipment to its destination on time.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the need of simplifying the supply chain. That’s why when we work with a customer, we partner with them and handle nearly every aspect of their shipment. We help schedule the pickup and delivery of your products, making phone calls and facing all of the problems along the way through the life of your shipment. We have specialized systems and processes for every level of our business, all guided under the premise of helping our customers get their shipments to their destination on time and undamaged. We have helped hundreds of companies over the course of 20 years build their supply chains and maintain a 99% retention rating as well. Want to see such dedication to your shipments? Then start today with Zip Xpress!

If this year has proven anything, it is the fallacy that selecting a full truckload is always the best option when it comes to shipping freight, especially when that shipment doesn’t fill an entire truckload. With the constant rising rates on the freight boards, it is becoming increasingly impractical for a shipper to always select full truckload, which means that shippers need alternative solutions if shipments are going to be delivered in a timely manner.

With skyrocketing shipping rates, the best way shippers can guarantee that a customer receives their full truckload shipment on time is by paying a (staggering) premium to do so. That’s why we at Zip Xpress created our Optimized Headload solution where we assist customers by optimizing their shipments and ensure they’re only paying for space they’re using. Our experienced freight handlers ensure that every shipment is treated with precision and care, while we assist in the timely pickup and delivery of every shipment we work with.

In addition to rising rates, companies need to be focused on sustainability efforts and when a shipment is marked as full truckload but only occupies 10% of the trailer space…that’s not exactly sustainable. All of the fuel consumed and extra trucks on the road increase carbon emissions as well as wear and tear on our nation’s highways. Our headload solution is a sustainable alternative where shippers are ‘recycling air’ and reducing the number of empty trailers on the road.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of options for your supply chain. If you’re not certain about whether your shipment should be marked FT or LTL, we offer our optimized headload solution where your rate is determined based on the space you’re using. This dedication to service and providing options to our customers is one of the reasons why we maintain a 99% retention rate with all of our customers. Rest assured that we will work with your business to find the best custom carrier solution that gets your freight to its destination on time and undamaged. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

Congress has recently passed the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) which has been signed into law by the President. Contained within this legislation are two provisions that are expected to go a long way in helping our national infrastructure and the nation’s supply chain. The bill has been celebrated by the American Trucking Association (ATA) as well as many within the logistics sector.

One of the key provisions in the IIJA is a considerable amount of funding for American infrastructure. $110 billion has been allocated for roads, bridges and major infrastructure projects, which promises to go a long way in restoring our national infrastructure. Reversing the years of damage and neglect to our nation’s highways will improve the supply chain by reducing the wear and tear on vehicles as well as a potential reduction in the amount of time spent repairing our highways, thus speeding up delivery times. This will also help with driver retention, since many drivers are paid on a mile basis and the longer a driver sits in traffic, the less they make. Many cumulative delays can cause drivers to conclude the effort of a shipment is not worth the pay and may leave the industry, possibly permanently.

Another key provision of the IIJA is the bill makes 18-21 year-olds eligible for interstate driving, putting the first step in place of training a new generation of drivers. This legislation will be a huge help in getting more drivers their CDL endorsement. This also allows for many young adults to begin their rewarding career as a truck driver at the age of 18, since many young adults can’t afford to wait until they’re 21 to get started. By the time a young adult reaches 21, they have started on their career and are rarely looking to reconsider their career choice by this point. Allowing carriers to train drivers at a younger age will go a long way in helping alleviate the industry’s shortage of drivers.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of investing in infrastructure. One of our key missions is to build a more sustainable supply chain, one that focuses on preserving our nation’s infrastructure by reducing wear and tear on our nation’s highways. The investment through the IIJA will help rebuild our highways and bridges, while freight optimization will go a long way in helping preserve our renewed infrastructure. To see how we can help make your supply chain more sustainable, start today with Zip Xpress!

There is absolutely no doubt that a successful and rewarding career can be found in the field of logistics. While it may not be the first choice for a lot of young professionals, that viewpoint is likely to change in the coming years, thanks to a recent survey conducted by Korn Ferry and Penske logistics. In this survey, there were many eye-opening findings, one of which stated that 99% of professionals aged 30 and younger say that working in supply chain is a quality career choice. It is reasonable to state that there are few other sectors which have such a high rating as a career choice, especially by a younger generation.

Another great finding is that 58% of respondents are pursuing a career in supply chain due to its beneficial societal impact delivering essential goods. Now this was during the height of 2020, however this is a steep increase from previous years, where respondents who believed supply chain careers were providing a societal beneficial impact didn’t reach 20%. If nothing else, the past few years have shown up and coming generations the importance of logistics and how valuable of a sector it is to the American economy. Instilling a sense of mission and importance like this will be crucial in bringing about change in the logistics industry, especially as we face so many challenges ahead.

With such optimism, the logistics industry can begin focusing on the issues that matter most. Sustainable packaging or better yet, the elimination of unnecessary packaging. Reducing carbon emissions from trucks as well as freight optimization to consolidate shipments and eliminate unnecessary full truckload shipments. These challenges will require a ‘can-do’ attitude and with so many promising candidates in the supply chain, there is no doubt that many of these will be accomplished.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of mission and purpose. We have a few ourselves – sustainability efforts, providing better service to customers, and optimizing shipments. All of our efforts are directed towards accomplishing these and we’re lucky to have a great team in place that believes in all of our efforts. We believe that any problem can be solved because we have the right people in place, ready and willing to help. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

It’s hard not to be aware of the current challenges within the American supply chain. Every member of the supply chain is experiencing records – companies are facing record number of orders, manufacturers are at record output levels, carriers experiencing record number of shipments and so on. All of these records of production, combined with a reduction in truck drivers creates a record amount of constriction in the supply chain. This constriction has led to many organizations becoming nervous about shipment times and whether or not customers will receive their orders in a timely manner. These factors have left many companies wondering: when will all of this be over?

The truth is that each of these factors create long-term challenges that we will be facing for the foreseeable future. Manufacturers are responding to demand from consumers who are placing orders via e-commerce and there is a mad rush to find a carrier who will get these shipments to their destination in a timely manner. Since shippers want great service, they select a full truckload when creating their shipment, even if their shipment can’t possibly fill an entire truckload. Combine this with a reduced workforce of available drivers and we find ourselves in our current situation of supply chain congestion. This is a gross oversimplification of course, but each has long term effects. It will take years to find and hire new drivers. There are supply chain issues for physical trucks, which exacerbate the problem. There is however, a critical way in which we can respond to this congestion, a win-win solution to every member of the supply chain.

The first response needed is a coordinated effort from carriers to implement optimization strategies for their customers. We have a responsibility to educate our customers on the benefits of partial shipments as well as handling their freight in a careful manner to ensure that every shipment arrives on time and undamaged. As carriers band together and begin the process of optimizing their shipments, they’ll find that it’s often a win-win solution for everyone involved. We have had the opportunity to work with multiple carriers that believe in optimization like we do, and it has proven effective at reducing congestion. As companies prepare for the coming year, they’re going to find that many of the supply chain challenges are not going away. It’s time for us to work together and use optimization as a means to overcoming these supply chain challenges.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of overcoming challenges for a customer. It’s in our nature due to our dedication to solving a customer’s problems as though they were our own. As a carrier, many of the customer’s issues become our issues and we have a responsibility to see that their shipments arrive on time and undamaged. Even though there are many challenges now, there will always be challenges in the logistics world and we’re ready to help our customers overcome them. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

A lot of companies pay lip service when it comes to White Glove Treatment in logistics. There is a clear understanding that shippers want their freight to arrive undamaged and on time, yet it should not be an add-on service shippers are forced to pay a fortune for. There are a few indicators to look out for that ensure a carrier provides white glove service. The first of which is that it’s a state of mind held by the carrier, where the customer’s needs are the most important, assisted by associates who are trained to handle every shipment with precision and care.

Another important indicator is attention to detail. It’s important to be able to check in with the carrier to ensure they know where your shipment is every step of the way, as well as making sure every I is dotted and every T is crossed. Attention to detail is a vital indicator of white glove treatment. Shippers would be wise to ask about procedures and guidelines the carrier follows, including how a carrier handles delicate items, oversized freight or any other indicator of unique freight. All of those details add up to a wonderful experience for the person who needs it most: the customer.

Speaking of which, white glove treatment will also involve getting in touch with the customer to accommodate any special delivery needs or scheduling tailored-time slots that work for the customer. Keeping communication lines open with the customer will keep them satisfied and let you know that you’re dealing with a carrier who gives white glove treatment. You can also see this in whether or not the carrier coordinates the pickup with you. The more involved the carrier is in this process, the more assured you can be that your shipment is getting white glove treatment.

If your shipments are not receiving the white glove treatment, then now may be a time to consider revising your supply chain. At a time of serious congestion, if a shipment gets damaged, this will likely make a bad situation worse. Getting ahead of the problem and ensuring your shipment will be treated with the utmost care will help you gain trust with your customers, a vital part of business at a time like this.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of white glove treatment. Customers and shippers want their freight delivered on time and undamaged, period. We also believe that shippers don’t need an upcharge in order to receive quality service. We believe that in treating our stakeholders well, in training how to carefully handle every shipment that comes through, we’re able to provide a seamless experience that few shippers believe until they see it for themselves. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

As we continue our efforts at relieving freight congestion, one of the areas where shippers and carriers can make the biggest impact is reducing the number of shipments marked as full truckloads when they are, in fact, partial truckload shipments. The marking of full truckload has caused a rising cycle of prices in the freight board marketplaces, as well as a reduction in the number of drivers who are available to deliver shipments. Yet we’ve continued to see many shippers mark “full truckload” even though this selection may not be in their best interest.

Why does this occur? In general, full truckload shipments get better service. The reason for this is shipments marked as partial loads need to be brought to a terminal and packed into another trailer, thus increasing risks to the freight. Shipments marked as full truckload are sent directly to the customer, with few to no stops in between. Another issue is cost. Most LTLs have set prices based on footage, which in some cases has resulted in 30 feet of trucking space to cost the same amount as a full truckload. Combine these perceptions and it is no wonder why shippers are more likely to opt for a full truckload selection for their freight. However, what many shippers don’t realize is how much they’re paying for all of that wasted space. In essence, they’re paying for air. On top of this, the congestion over the past year is making full truckloads less feasible as an option, that is unless you’re willing to pay top dollar for it.

Utilizing optimization is the best way to alleviate the congestion we’re seeing. Shippers would be wise to consider selecting ‘partial’ for their shipment. Many carriers out there are skilled at handling sensitive freight and can combine shipments while also ensuring they will arrive undamaged and on time. As always, we recommend that shippers perform their due diligence when considering these types of carriers which will take time, but it’s far better than the alternative of dissatisfied customers who have not received their shipments. As shippers explore their options in redesigning their supply chains, they may often find themselves preferring shipment optimization, even after all of this is over.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of optimizing shipments. Optimizing shipments helps reduce wear and tear on our nation’s highways as well as prevents customers from paying for ‘air’ inside of trailers. All of this leads to a more sustainable supply chain, which customers can see through a monthly carbon emissions reduction sheet we provide them with. The latest benefit is that customers who ship with us will see their products arrive undamaged and on time every time. If you want to see all of these results for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

One of the most important partnerships a manufacturer can make is which carrier they are to trust with their valuable freight. We’ve expressed the importance of establishing these relationships, but one of the critical questions that will inevitably arise is: how do we find the right carrier? This is a very important question and one that shouldn’t be left to chance especially since manufacturers cannot rely on brokerages to find the right shipping partner for them.

Culture Match

Finding the right supply chain partner involves speaking with carriers and ensuring there is a culture match between the two organizations. If your company is focused on efficiency and cost savings, then you’ll likely select with a carrier that exhibits these traits. Whereas if you have specialized freight that needs more service dedication, you’ll likely select a carrier that focuses on relationships and customer satisfaction. Obviously you want a carrier that exhibits all of these qualities, but the best option is to schedule consultations, speak with and learn about the carriers who will be handling your freight. When you find a carrier that understands your company’s needs and you relate well with them, then you have likely found a relationship that will help your business flourish.

Constant Focus on Improvement

Obviously culture isn’t a foolproof determinant of a great business relationship, however when a carrier and manufacturer are both focused on improvement, as well as finding the right people, processes and methods of getting your shipment to its destination on time and undamaged, then you have a carrier that will help your business grow in many ways. The constant focus on improvement means that your supply chain partner will help solve your problems and take your needs into consideration. They can help you expand and provide you with options during times of uncertainty. When you provide trust to your carrier, you will find that combined both companies will have a dynamic and incredible relationship that will strengthen with time.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of finding the right carrier for your business. We strive to provide great service for all of our customers because we know they value great service, sustainability and are in need of specialized freight handling. Customers who know our values are delighted to work with us and it’s why we’re able to maintain a 99% retention rate with manufacturers we’ve worked with. If you want to see all of this for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

Many articles discuss labor shortages, tightening capacity, increasing prices, inclement weather and a host of other challenges companies need to overcome in order to get their shipments to the end customer. It is certain that some of these challenges are unique to our time, and it’s also apparent that companies want more consistency in how they conduct business. Challenges in shipping however are the norm, not the exception. The truth is that there have always been supply chain challenges and that we have always navigated these challenges through a mix of collaboration and innovation.

One of the methods in overcoming supply chain challenges lies in collaboration throughout the entire supply chain. When companies work together, they’re able to create solutions that work for all parties and keep the customer satisfied. Every member of the supply chain understands what is at stake and provides different skill sets, strengths and strategic insights which create remarkably innovative solutions. This innovation creates unique opportunities for businesses that may not have existed before and as a result will provide a competitive advantage in a field where everyone else only sees challenges.

One of the benefits of all the articles highlighting these challenges is that these challenges cannot be ignored any longer. As a result, many innovative individuals are coming forward to address these challenges and provide solutions in an environment where none were available before. This outpouring of ideas will allow business owners to test and implement the right tactics for their company and in time they will find the right strategy for their business. For every challenge out there, there is a solution. The question is how long will it take to find yours.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand that there will always be supply chain challenges. This is nothing new in an industry that is always changing. It’s this dynamism that creates the opportunity for unique problem solving in how we get every shipment to the customer on time and undamaged. This problem solving attitude is applied to our customers through our custom carrier solutions which addresses every shipping challenge our customers may have. If you’re curious about how we can handle your shipping challenges, start today with Zip Xpress!