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Maximizing Fuel Efficiency

It’s no surprise that fuel prices spike in the summer, but with an index that has been rising all year, higher fuel prices will be a reality for this year. For fleet owners, fuel prices pose a significant challenge, either impacting a company’s bottom line or forcing shippers to pay higher rates. It is essential for fleet managers and owners to take some steps to maximize their fuel efficiency for every trip.

Prioritize More Efficient Routes

A lot of fuel can be wasted simply by choosing the wrong route – which in some cases may even be the shorter route. Paying attention to traffic patterns and road conditions can help minimize idling time while also reducing wear and tear on the trucks.

Perform Regular Truck Maintenance

The most efficient truck is one that is maintained meticulously. Keeping tires at the correct pressure, tuning up the engine, changing the oil, and monitoring air filters can all help to improve fuel efficiency. Regular maintenance goes a long way in keeping trucks fuel efficient, drivers satisfied and prevents major breakdowns.

Encourage Safe, Relaxed Driving

Aggressive driving will severely lower your miles per gallon on any trip. Accelerating too quickly, frequently breaking, and shifting too often not only reduce fuel efficiency, but they can wreak havoc on equipment. It might be difficult to change driver habits, but rewarding safe driving is beneficial for carriers and their employees.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of maximizing fuel efficiency when it comes to developing a more sustainable fleet. Our routine maintenance schedules help keep our trucks in prime condition, while we also focus on working with our drivers to ensure their safety and that their needs are met. Each step we take in maintaining our fleet helps keep our drivers and customers satisfied since deliveries will be made on time and undamaged. Each step allows us and our customers to become more sustainable, which can be seen in our carbon reduction reports. To see these benefits for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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Your Supply Chain: An Engine For Growth

If this year has proven anything, it’s how the supply chain contributes to a company’s growth. Manufacturers are seeing the benefits of partnering with logistics providers and the critical role of getting finished products to the customer. Yet in order to ensure that the supply chain is enabling growth, a few steps must be taken to optimize the benefits for all parties involved.

The first step is that the supply chain must become customer-oriented instead of product oriented. Dedicated service will keep customers coming back, which will result in increased sales for the long term. Working with and communicating with customers helps ensure that they get what they need when they need it. When customers know that their needs are being met, they will work with a provider and continue to place orders, especially in a business-to-business world. Companies want to work with other companies they can trust, and when both sides emphasize a dedication to service, the customer will appreciate it.

The second step in developing a supply chain growth strategy is to keep communication open with all parties. When silos exist, communication comes to a standstill, whereas collaboration allows for execution to occur quickly and provides better decision making when it comes to getting products shipped on time. When communication breaks down, backlogs form and customers become frustrated because they’re wondering where their order is. Keep problems small by getting in contact with all of the stakeholders and solve them right away.

The third step in developing a supply chain growth strategy is developing a multi-channel personalized experience. This is no longer a “nice to have” it is now a requirement for supply chain providers. That means drivers greeting customers with a smile and friendly attitude. It also means responding to customer inquiries quickly and with a personal touch – talking on the phone instead of letting their requests sit in an email inbox or voicemail. This will only become more important as companies shift into a virtual workforce, which will place a premium on human interaction.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that building a supply chain is also about building relationships. Our dedication to service is focused on keeping all stakeholders satisfied, whether that be ensuring our drivers greet a customer with a smile or answering every phone call in our office. We also work hard to optimize every shipment so that they will arrive undamaged and on time. Building a growth-centered supply chain is about providing our partners with the custom carrier solutions that will help their business succeed. To see how we can do this for your business, start today with Zip Xpress!

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Supply Chain Strategy for Tightening Capacity

This year we have seen a continued increase in the spot rates market, which has left many manufacturers feeling stranded as they struggle to fulfill orders and manage their supply chain. This imbalance has many factors involved. Most notably they are: healthy consumer spending, inventory that needs replenishment and an industrial economy that is getting into full swing. All of these factors create a high-demand environment, which would put a strain on carriers even if they weren’t facing their own supply-side challenges. On the carrier side, many are facing a reduced workforce due to drivers leaving, a reduction in new drivers due to reduced capacity at CDL schools and a reduction in potential CDL recruits due to localized courier providers that are servicing e-commerce organizations.

The combination of factors leaves many manufacturers at the mercy of the spot market at a time when they’re facing a demand surge as well as an increase in material costs of production. All of this will cause frustration as manufacturers struggle to navigate tightening capacity throughout their supply chain which shows no signs of letting up in the foreseeable future. The best solution lies in partnering with a carrier that can accommodate your shipments at a rate that is fair to both sides. Manufacturers that are still relying on the spot markets at this point will face a losing game as they’re at the mercy of brokers providing cut-rate service and are putting their shipments at risk of breakage. Manufacturers that partner with a trusted carrier will find themselves much more at ease, providing stability at a time when they need it most.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the need for stability at a time when dealing with tightened capacity. We partner with each and every one of the businesses we work with, which allows us to provide the custom carrier solutions that work best for them. Our dedication to service has also kept our drivers satisfied, which means your customers will be delighted when one of our drivers delivers your final product. Whatever the case may be, we will find the right custom carrier solution for your business. To find out how, start today with Zip Xpress!

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The Surge in Automation & Conveyors

It is no secret that many manufacturers are turning to automation in an attempt to meet the challenges surrounding the increase in demand that we have seen year. Companies are pouring resources into robotics and conveyor systems in order to increase their output, but are the companies in these industries prepared for their own surge in demand? Are their supply chains designed to handle a large influx of orders? Robotics and conveyor machinery are not the easiest products to ship, and many companies may be unsure of how to handle delivery of such unique freight.

We always advise companies to do their research when it comes to selecting a supply chain partner and not rely on brokerages who only offer cut-rate service. We’ve seen this scenario many times: unique freight such as a robotics or conveyor system gets damaged in transport because it wasn’t secured properly. The customer is frustrated since they’re not able to get their new equipment running, which also costs them in delayed production. You need to file a claim for the damaged shipment and then while you wait for the claim to be processed, you also need to manufacture a replacement for the customer. That’s a lot of resources tied up, especially when you’re working hard to fulfill additional orders coming through.

The best solution for automation and conveyor manufacturers is relying on a carrier that handles unique freight and will ensure that your shipments will arrive undamaged and on time. Machinery such as this is simply too valuable to risk with a cut-rate service provider who sees your freight as just another shipment they need to get out the door. Why put your shipments at risk? Let’s focus instead on creating a reliable supply chain that can handle the increase in demand and help grow your business.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the need to ensure that your unique freight arrives undamaged and on time. We specialize working with manufacturers of automation and conveyor systems and we have a long history of satisfied customers who can attest to our service. When you’re working to fulfill your orders, consider working with a company that you can trust, one who will delight your customers and ensure your freight arrives undamaged and on time. That’s because premium is the standard with Zip Xpress. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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The Power of People

There’s no question that technology has come a long way, especially over the past year. Many industries were forced to adjust on a whim, which has caused remarkable shifts throughout the supply chain that we’re still adjusting to. While companies are still making adjustments, they’re paying attention to their people now more than ever as they navigate the inherent uncertainty across the entire supply chain.

A lot has been written about technology in transportation as of late. Lighter, more fuel efficient trucks have allowed carriers to transport products quicker and with less overhead. Back-office transportation management systems continue to improve, allowing dispatchers and logistics managers to optimize their time and increase profitability for their companies.

Yet in the face of these articles about technology, those authors tend to forget that businesses simply want great service. They want a smiling face to greet them when they receive their shipment, and a human being to answer the phone when they call an office. Every time a person is greeted by a machine, they’re far less happy or understanding. Technology can help with redundancies and inefficiencies, sure but they can’t provide the level of service that a dedicated person can.

Throughout the past year, it has been people who have helped keep our supply chains operating and ensuring that deliveries were made on time. Hard working drivers as well as the office individuals who were making and taking phone calls, providing guidance to companies who needed help during these challenging times. They were the ones who kept products moving, even when events turned for the worse. For that, they deserve our gratitude and respect.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of great service. Here it starts with ensuring that every shipment will arrive undamaged and on time. We also work hard to keep our drivers happy so that they will greet each of our customers with a smile. We also make sure that every call is answered by a person, never a machine and that customers can receive a quote within minutes. Everything we do here at Zip Xpress is focused on bringing great service and we know that none of this can be accomplished without great people. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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Tips for Safer Driving

Spring is in full swing, and with a few exceptions in some parts of the country, we won’t have to worry about snowy, icy conditions on the roads until this winter. However, even with clear skies and no precipitation, there are still a wide range of hazards that can make a trip dangerous. Truck drivers need to be diligent about preparing their trucks for safety before their trips as well as practicing safe habits while they are driving. Here are some quick tips we use to ensure that every driver arrives safely at their destination.

Wear a Seatbelt

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is impossible to overstate the importance of seatbelts. Some accidents are unavoidable, but a seatbelt can go a long way in reducing your chance of injury or even death. Clicking the seatbelt needs to be a part of every driver’s initial checklist before getting on the road and we can’t overemphasize the importance of protecting every driver.

Put the Phone Down

Cell-phone related accidents continue to rise, even with strict laws in place in most states. Texting or reading on your phone is highly distracting, and should only be done when you are parked. If you must talk on your phone, make sure to use a hands-free device, and remember that paying attention to the road is your most important task.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Tired driving can be just as dangerous as distracted driving. Even if you can force yourself to stay awake, your reaction time and decision making skills will be impaired. Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night before heading back on the road.

Inspect Your Truck Before and After Every Trip

Even if you’ve only completed a short local run, it is essential to make sure that everything is always in working order. A small puncture in a tire could lead to a blowout on the road, which could cause an accident. Review your truck maintenance inspections to ensure that small issues don’t become large ones.

Drive Defensively

As a professional driver, it is up to you to set examples on the road. You may be frustrated by other aggressive drivers, but it is important to keep your distance, take it slow around curves, and allow for plenty of time for braking and passing. Your patience on the road will save lives.

At Zip Xpress we understand the hard work that goes into being a truck driver. Between safety protocols and delivering shipments undamaged is hard work, which is why it’s so important to treat drivers with the respect they deserve. Here at Zip we do our best to treat our drivers with respect and make them feel like valuable members of our team. They understand that they’re part of the customer experience and are more than willing to greet customers with a smile. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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Manufacturers – Is Your Supply Chain Ready?

It is no secret that the manufacturing sector has had to ride out many waves within the last year. Between creating new workplace procedures, adapting to rising material prices, backlogged orders and a potential surge in demand due to localized sourcing, manufacturers have a lot on their plate. While many of these issues appear to be a great problem to have, the risk comes when a manufacturer doesn’t have an adequate supply chain to handle all of these factors. Manufacturers that took a “wait-and-see” approach are going to struggle under the weight of these issues in keeping up with orders. As a result, revenues can decrease at a time when costs are rising, putting a serious impact on profitability.

The manufacturing sector is undergoing a massive shift and one of the key features is to build a supply chain that can handle this shift. As manufacturers redesign their supply chains to accommodate localized sources for suppliers, those that have partnered with trusted carriers have seen far more success in meeting the challenges of redesigning their supply chain. Carriers can provide unique solutions in ensuring deliveries are made and can give manufacturers the solutions they need to ensure their supply chains are able to handle any upcoming challenges. Whether you’re pushing to get orders out the door or preparing for more orders to come, a trusted carrier can advise on the best course of action.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of having a supply chain that suits your needs. We specialize in providing companies with the solutions they need to build the supply chain that can handle any challenge. These solutions come in the form of our custom carrier solutions, where we partner with a company and find the best course of action to ensure their products arrive undamaged and on time. We see every problem a shipper faces as our own problem and as a result, premium is the standard at Zip Xpress. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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How Lean Supply Chains Help Drivers

For some companies, it may seem as though complex supply chains will help drive efficiency. For certain large corporations, agile, complicated supply chains are needed to carry out their massive operations. However, for most small and medium-sized businesses, complex supply chains can lead to more waste and longer delivery times.

The concept of a lean supply chain is not a new one, but it has become more popular in recent years due to an increased focus on waste reduction and sustainability. With the events of the past year exposing many of the flaws in bloated supply chains, businesses across the nation are re-evaluating their operations and finding where these operations can be pared down. This is good news for carriers and drivers, who benefit from having access to more shipments.

Lean supply chains focus on reducing waste and minimizing the time it takes to design, manufacture, and deliver a product. The increase in production allows for a greater number of items to be sold in a shorter period of time. It isn’t just about the number of shipments, though. When a supply chain is operating more efficiently, there are fewer delays throughout the life of any given shipment. This means that drivers are less likely to be affected by detention on either end of the shipment. Even a few extra hours with a shipper can add an entire day to delivery time due to hours-of-service regulations. When a warehouse can get a truck loaded quickly, they are helping both the customer and the driver.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of a lean supply chain. The benefits at creating a lean supply chain are immense and when companies are working together on their sustainability efforts, it is incredible what they’re able to accomplish. We can help shippers accomplish their goals of a leaner supply chain through our custom carrier solutions as well as shipment optimization so companies can be confident in their sustainability efforts. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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Preparing for Tough Terrain

Driving a truck is no simple task, and it becomes exponentially more difficult when a driver encounters rough terrain and sub-par roads. You may picture the Rocky Mountains or Appalachians when you think of difficult drives, but the truth is that there are challenges everywhere in the country. Even flatter areas with moderate climates can suffer from road erosion and lack of maintained infrastructure. Nevertheless, shipments still need to arrive. For drivers embarking on these routes, it is imperative that proper preparation routines and maintenance schedules are practiced.

Maintenance is vital for any truck, but improper maintenance is easily exposed on sub-par roads and in tough terrain. Drivers and fleet managers should inspect tires, electrical systems, brakes, and lights on a regular basis. If they notice even minor issues such as worn tread or a faulty switch, they should be addressed immediately. Doing so will minimize the chance that something disastrous could happen out on the road. These routine maintenance schedules help protect the drivers as well as give them trucks they prefer driving since they’re well cared for and the driver will in turn care for the truck.

Ahead of the trip, drivers should ensure that they are familiar with the roads on which they will be traveling. They can map out the route and note which roads may be unpaved or uneven, and try to find detours around them if possible. It is important to ensure that communications devices are fully charged and that the truck is stocked with emergency equipment in case of a breakdown or if the truck gets stuck. This prevents drivers from being stranded and allows the carrier to notify the customer and work through a contingency plan.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of routine maintenance schedules in keeping our fleet in prime condition. Ensuring all minor maintenance issues are addressed prevents risks to the driver and the shipment, helping us to get every shipment to the customer on time and undamaged. Our drivers understand and appreciate the care we show for our vehicles, which makes them satisfied and able to provide great customer service. We believe that doing the little things right add up, which is why premium is the standard at Zip Xpress. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By zipxpress / Miscellaneous • Sustainability/ 0 Comments

Outlining the NSFP

The US Department of Transportation recently unveiled the National Freight Strategic Plan to help make the movement of freight safer and more efficient for manufacturers, shippers, carriers, and all other stakeholders. The plan provides a blueprint for improvements in infrastructure and growth of the overall workforce. The main goal is to improve the country’s competitiveness in the international market, but that can’t be done without first addressing domestic issues.

The plan to improve infrastructure is exciting news for anyone involved in the freight industry. Modernized roads, stronger bridges, and more efficient railroads will go a long way in providing more reliable service across the logistics industry. This goes hand in hand with their goal of improving the national freight network, which should allow for faster, more streamlined routes between major transportation hubs.

It isn’t all about infrastructure, though. The NFSP intends to invest in research, technology, and analytics at both the federal and state levels. These analytics are designed to provide municipalities with the understanding where their inefficiencies lie and give them ideas for a stronger future freight network. While such investments may not show immediate results, the long-term implications are positive in building an optimized logistics network.

The NFSP will also work to eliminate restrictive regulations that put strain on the supply chain with no real benefits. There is still a deep concern for safety, so it’s unlikely there will be a change to Hours of Service rules, but it could open up opportunities for interstate and international commerce. Essentially, it wants to get rid of or re-evaluate transportation regulations that inhibit innovation or decrease efficiency.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the need for an optimized supply chain on all levels. The National Freight Strategic Plan is a great start at addressing these issues on the national level, however many other steps need to be taken in order to create a fully sustainable and optimized supply chain. We help shippers navigate these challenges by providing the custom carrier solutions they need to ensure that every shipment is optimized and that they’re aware of their contribution towards a sustainable supply chain. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!