The Road Ahead

The country is starting to open back up, but the way that we do business has likely changed forever. Even though many supply chains and transportation companies still remained open throughout the crisis, many enterprises have been hit hard by layoffs, closing customers, and a variety of other factors. Although the economy shows signs of recovering, logistics professionals will need to take a measured approach and adapt to a world that will not function in all the same ways that it used to.

For instance, freight handlers will need to be spread further apart or be required to wear protective equipment during their shifts. New strategies will be required to streamline supply chain operations and prevent the bullwhip effect which occurred with paper towels, hand sanitizer and PPE gear. Supply chain volatility may return and we still haven’t seen the full ramifications across the economy. Yet for all of this uncertainty comes the need to create and implement a strategic plan that is right for your business. Partnerships along the supply chain will grow stronger as we realize the need for consistency and reliability. By creating a plan with their carriers, companies will develop innovative strategies that could change the world.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that companies need consistency. We believe that long-term strategies outweigh the immediate satisfaction when planning for the day, week, month, or year. Our focus is always on taking the long view and remaining calm. When we collaborate with our business partners, we understand that there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. We provide our customers with reliability by assisting them in designing their supply chain strategies through our custom carrier solutions. By working together we found a way through this pandemic, now it’s time we adapt to the post-pandemic world. To see how we can help you, start today with Zip Xpress!

As a result of COVID-19, business owners have had a lot of spare time the past few months. While business has been shut down, many have had the opportunity to take on projects that have been put on the back burner. They’ve cleaned up their operations, whether physically or through determining which products and services are absolutely necessary in order to thrive. Many business owners are seeking to make their operations more resilient. When it comes to the supply chain, one of the best ways to create a resilient operation is by partnering with a trusted carrier rather than relying on a third party logistics broker.

Partnering with a reliable carrier that understands how to ship your products will prevent breakage, misplaced orders and a myriad of other problems since they will develop an innate understanding of your business. This level of service can’t be replicated by a brokerage (3PL) which will only find you a carrier based on price. Since there is no relationship beyond the transaction your freight has a much higher chance of breakage since all they see is a box or pallet. When the customer receives the damaged freight you’ll need to file a claim, you’ll need to pay for materials, labor costs, and fees to replace the shipment and then repair the breach in trust with your customer. What was once a “price savings” has now become a cut-rate service nightmare.

At Zip Xpress, we believe your time would be put to much better use in sourcing a carrier you can trust and partner with them for your shipping needs. We believe that now is the perfect time to stop using brokers who only offer cut-rate service and that shippers should research and partner with carriers who can best meet their needs. We understand that companies want the best service possible when shipping freight. They don’t want to pay the extra costs of material and labor from breakage. They want their shipment to arrive undamaged and on time every time. They want a company they know and can trust to fulfill all of their needs through custom carrier solutions. If you want to see what a custom carrier solution looks like for your business, start today with Zip Xpress!

Supply chains are constantly on the move and always evolving. Every day brings new challenges, and with them, new solutions. There is so much to think about on a daily basis – replenishing inventory, fulfilling orders, delivering goods, and billing clients. In this whirlwind of actions and responsibilities, many organizations often neglect one of the most important aspects of the supply chain – security. This is a major mistake as unsecured supply chains can lead to theft, fraud, cyberattacks, and data leaks. There are many ways to cultivate a secure supply chain, but it all starts with the people in the organization.

Investing in high-tech security systems and encrypted software is vital for any company, but those flashy assets don’t mean anything if a culture of trust, transparency, and understanding is not put into place. Employees will work harder if they feel valued – that is well known. In addition to their hard work, however, they will feel loyal to the company and will be more willing to look out for suspicious activity or report potential scams. A disgruntled worker may recognize a phishing email, but might not be motivated enough to raise a red flag to management. Hackers and data miners are always finding new ways to bypass cybersecurity systems, so it is up to the workers to be the last line of defense.

By implementing continual training programs and staying on top of the most recent security threats, managers can keep their employees aware of the things to look out for. It should be emphasized that everyone is on the same team and that employees are trusted to do what’s best for the company. Attacks on an organization – whether physical or digital – threaten the livelihood of everyone who works there. Taking an all-in approach and providing the necessary tools for security is a vital step in keeping the supply chain running smoothly and safely.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of keeping your supply chain secure. Our talented and experienced staff are always on the lookout for suspicious activity. We won’t hesitate to contact your organization if we believe your supply chain is at risk because security is only going to become more important in the years ahead. To see how we can help keep your supply chain secure, start today with Zip Xpress!

During the first few weeks of shelter-in-place orders from many states across the country, demand for particular items spiked drastically. Products such as paper towels, canned foods, and face masks were flying off the shelves anywhere they could be found. This created a bullwhip effect for many suppliers which put quite a bit of pressure on their logistics teams. Manufacturers and carriers, however, were happy to see an increase in business, if only temporary. Unfortunately, demand in other industries has dropped and everyone is paying attention to the bottom line in anticipation for what is coming next.

The key through all of this lies in collaboration. Companies that work together and foster creative thinking, problem solving and strategic collaboration will go a long way in ensuring that companies will endure. Strong partnerships throughout the supply chain is key in getting through these times, as every vendor, supplier, and carrier either has been or will be affected. By opening the lines of communication and working together on every project, we can minimize the negative results of the pandemic. Unique opportunities will present themselves for the companies willing to partner together and many businesses are being saved by getting creative in how they serve their customers.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that there will be demand challenges ahead, but as long as everyone remains vigilant, honest and keeps communication open, we will get through this together. Our team is ready to assist with the unique challenges associated with your freight. We will develop strategies tailored to the needs of your business and provide you with a custom carrier solution that works for you. As long as we work together, no challenge is too great. To see how we can help with your shipping needs, start today with Zip Xpress!

While the country is beginning to understand COVID-19, there are still many unknowns of what will happen after the country begins to open up. Companies are anxious to get back to work and executives will start taking a hard look at their enterprises to determine where their resources need to be deployed. One of these areas will inevitably be the supply chain, and with the lingering uncertainty in the marketplace, it’s vital for every business to build resilience into their supply chains.

The first step is take an assessment of your current supply chain. Many companies will be taking a hard look at their processes to see where weaknesses may exist. Flaws in the system will inevitably rise to the surface, but once revealed they can be managed. The second step will be monitoring forecasts as well as planning future shipments. Your organization will be doing a lot of planning in the coming months, but one area that will never change is the importance of your customer service. During times of uncertainty, your reputation will become more important than ever. Customers need to know they can trust your company and that your products won’t arrive damaged at their warehouses. The third step is to work directly with a trusted carrier in structuring your supply chain. Shopping online with freight brokers doesn’t provide you with the expertise needed to build a resilient supply chain. It reduces your freight to nothing more than a transaction and puts your hard earned reputation at risk.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of building a resilient supply chain. We know how much your reputation matters and endeavor to ensure excellent customer service for your customers. We’re working hard with companies on both sides, making phone calls to ensure companies are open and that they have the staff capacity to accept their freight. We’re in constant communication with our customers to ensure they’re getting the custom carrier solutions they need to keep their supply chains resilient, no matter what happens next. To see what solutions we can provide for your business, start today with Zip Xpress!

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make life more difficult for everyone across the world, but it seems that people have started to adapt. When it comes to the supply chain, this ability to adapt has always been extremely important, especially as companies work together to deal with scarcity and demand spikes. The shutdown of certain industries have left some supply chains in unideal situations, but this has shown the essential need for open lines of communication and collaboration between manufacturers and supply chain partners.

Whether checking with a warehouse to confirm working hours or letting a customer know immediately about a truck breakdown, it is vital to communicate quickly and effectively in order to keep products moving. GPS tracking and online systems are nice, but nothing will ever replace the power of a live conversation. Customers like to know that their carriers are thinking about them and that there is somebody willing to work with them rather than just moving freight and collecting a bill.

The communication doesn’t end with tracking a shipment. Partners in any logistics relationship should be transparent about their current staff capabilities and manufacturing limits. In the end, we are all in this together and should treat each other as equals throughout the life cycle of any shipment. While we believe this should always be the case, the COVID crisis has shed a little more light on the need for functional partnerships in the transportation world. If one positive comes of this, perhaps it will be strengthened relationships between manufacturers, suppliers, and carriers.

At Zip Xpress, we believe in the power of partnerships and treat every shipment as though it were our own. During this time we’ve worked with every member of our supply chain, making calls to ensure deliveries can be made and that companies are open. We understand that our customers and their customers need to know they can be counted on, especially during these uncertain times. To see how we can help with your supply chain needs, start today with Zip Xpress!

When it comes to essential industries, logistics is one of the most important. Without freight moving across the country on a daily basis, people would not be able to easily purchase vital goods such as food, clothing, and medications. Logistics companies are responsible for bringing in goods such as medical devices, personal protection equipment, and hospital beds, and it becomes even clearer that we need trucks on the road now more than ever. Unfortunately, some companies are taking advantage of the overall shortage of freight.

Many freight brokers, realizing that non-essential industries are shut down and that there is less overall freight available, are charging shippers the same but giving carriers rock bottom rates who now have fewer shipments to choose from. It’s not uncommon to see shipments being offered for less than half of the fair market rate. However, the costs of maintaining a truck and running a trucking company have not gotten any lower. If such practices from brokers continue, many drivers will not be able to afford to make their payments, and carriers would be forced to shut their doors.

It should be clear why this is a dangerous precedent to set. There is already a shortage in truck drivers, and if we lose a significant number more, shippers could experience major capacity issues in the future. This would lead to an overall increase in rates over time, as well as a strained supply chain across the nation. It is important not to be short-sighted when evaluating your shipping rates, as a stark decrease now could be offset by higher rates and fewer options in the near future. Shippers can help stop such practices by seeking out and working directly with carriers to build mutually beneficial relationships in order to minimize volatility and maintain some level of stability during these trying times.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that you want certainty during uncertain times. We understand that shippers partnering with carriers is the best method of navigating this pandemic, because we’re all in this together. Partnering together will ensure better service for your freight and an optimized supply chain. If you’re in need of a carrier to partner with, we can provide you with custom carrier solutions that will work for your business and ensure your supply chain will continue to run smoothly. To see how, start today with Zip Xpress!