The Road Ahead

If you’ve ever dealt with late or missing shipments, you probably have plenty of horror stories to tell. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting on a load to deliver only to have no idea where it is or when it’s going to show up. To make matters worse, some providers simply refuse to answer your calls or won’t provide real-time tracking. These are issues that can lead to strained relationships and major failures in the supply chain, but they can be easily fixed by committing to transparency and visibility.

Every shipper needs to vet their transportation providers, and they should make it a priority to form strong partnerships with trustworthy carriers who promise visibility. Whether that means 24 hour dispatch, active communication or access to live GPS tracking, there are many ways that shippers and carriers can work together to maintain a grasp on day-to-day operations. Shippers can also offer inventory tracking so that partner carriers can see when loads are ready for pickup and when there are delays – all without even picking up the phone. The key to transparency is a combination of technology and human interaction. Companies on all ends of the supply chain need to have people that are ready and willing to track down freight, get updates on claims, and provide accurate, reliable information as quickly as possible.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the need for continuous communication with our partners on all shipping matters. We always call ahead of time and work both our customers and your customers to schedule shipping arrangements and accommodate your specific needs. Whenever you call our office, a person will answer the phone, never a machine. We will answer any questions you may have about your delivery schedule in real time and stay committed to our dedicated service schedule. To see how we can bring more transparency to your supply chain, start today with Zip Xpress

When choosing a carrier, you’re performing your due diligence and seeking to partner with the company that understands your business better than anyone else. It makes sense that what you seek is efficiency, cost savings and the hundreds of other criteria involved in your decision making process. However, we’re willing to bet there’s one area you don’t consider when choosing the right supply chain partner.

Customer service.

While this may seem unorthodox, consider this. Every time a shipment arrives damaged, your customer is frustrated. They have to file a claim form, wait for reimbursement, place another order and then wait for the order they should have gotten in the first place. On top of this, you need to secure more material, pay employees to manufacture the product, contact your carrier to ship your product and hope it won’t happen again. Every time this happens, you become bogged down in keeping your current customers happy rather than finding more customers who will do business with you.

At Zip Xpress, we understand the real value of great customer service. Our goal is to help you obtain excellent reviews, customer referrals and the satisfaction that you delivered a great product to your buyer. We treat your customers as though they’re our own, because in many ways, they are. Our team will communicate with your business every step of the way to ensure that your products are picked up and dropped off to your exact specifications. We offer a variety of services for every type of freight and are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. Great customer service is embedded in our culture at Zip Xpress – we can help it become a cornerstone of your business as well. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

With a new year and a new decade upon us, there are many things to look forward to in the world of logistics. A strong economy and technological advances both put businesses in a great position to grow in 2020, but it is still important to focus on making the right decisions for the year. For many shippers, this means facilitating supply chain operations that will not only satisfy the customer but will also contribute to the growth and sustainability efforts for their own organization.

When it comes to transportation within a supply chain, quality is key. Shippers should focus on ensuring their freight will arrive undamaged, since broken product will erode a customer’s trust. Don’t make your customers suffer with claims and waiting on replacements, instead ensure customer satisfaction by choosing a carrier that will get your freight there undamaged and on time. At Zip Xpress, we believe that what others call white glove service is our standard – our experienced freight handlers will give your products careful consideration and by extension provide satisfaction to your customers.

Next comes our headload solution which is our innovative way to move your larger shipments without dedicating an entire truck. The benefit here is that you can still expect the top-notch service and quick deliveries that you might not be accustomed to with standard LTL or partial providers. We do everything to optimize your shipment and make sure that you are only paying for the amount of space that you are using. By consolidating shipments, we help reduce our emissions and encourage the elimination of packaging.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that everyone wants to build a better business. Whether your goals are to increase efficiency, become more sustainable or improve customer satisfaction, we have a custom carrier solution that can help you meet those goals. To see how we can help, start today with Zip Xpress!

Any functional organization knows the risks they face on a daily basis, and these can be seen throughout any department. The supply chain is no exception, and may even be the side of business where the most risk is taken on. From economic and governmental factors to extreme weather and traffic accidents, there are a lot of things that can affect an organization’s ability to manufacture and deliver a product. Risk Management can be an intimidating and abstract field at times, but it is an essential task for any strong supply chain to take seriously.

One of the keys to effectively managing risk is to take a proactive approach to accurate forecasting and supplier and vendor evaluation. Forecast accuracy allows a company to plan for product shortage, whether it happens due to production failure or on the delivering end because of a closed down highway. In assessing these sort of risks, manufacturers can determine what amount of surplus product would be sufficient to replace damaged or missing product.

On top of this, any company should do their best to evaluate the health and reliability of their vendors and suppliers. This includes working closely with carriers who are shipping product and who are ultimately responsible for timely delivery. If they have a transparent process and take tracking and problem-solving seriously, they are a better carrier partner than those who provide no visibility and try to take a hands-off approach.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that you’re taking a major step in managing your transportation risk. We are committed to providing top-notch customer service and maintaining a transparent, proactive solution to your supply chain needs. As anyone in the logistics world knows, there are always going to be unexpected delays. We can’t always have control over them, but we can take the steps to properly communicate and get to work on fixing the problem before it’s too late. To see how we can minimize your risk on the road, start today with Zip Xpress!

With 2020 rapidly approaching, many companies are committing to improving their supply chains. In some cases, this means choosing a carrier to handle their most vital transportation needs. With such a large pool of carriers available, it can be a challenge to decide which one to go with. Depending on your service requirements, you probably have some research to do, but you should always consider some of the most important qualities to look for in a carrier.

Reliability, timeliness, and communication are essential traits for any quality carrier. You want to make sure that trucks are going to show up and deliver on time. However, it is inevitable that there will be bumps in the road and problems that will need to be solved. This is where communication comes in. The best carriers are those who take a proactive approach and communicate with their customers as soon as any problems arise. This way, you can work together to solve the problem and minimize any damage that might be done. Even if the shipment is still on schedule, it is vital for carrier representatives to keep the customer informed of any status change.

At Zip Xpress, we understand how vital it is to be a reliable carrier. We are one of the most trusted when it comes to our shipment schedules and ensuring your freight will be delivered on time and undamaged every time. Our creative suite of services such as headload and expedited LTL shipping allow for flexibility and give you plenty of options. We’ll communicate with you every step of the way and ensure your satisfaction. To see our passion and dedication to being an ideal carrier, start today with Zip Xpress!

As the world economy becomes more globalized and technology brings everything closer, the international market has essentially become a 24/7 operation. This is especially true on the logistics side of things, where a delay hundreds of miles away could spell disaster in a completely different time zone. Workers in the logistics sector are often on-call and expected to tackle challenges at all times of day because freight, quite simply, doesn’t stop. While hard work comes with the territory, logistics workers must be careful that they don’t end up burning out from spreading themselves too thin.

Everyone from truck drivers to accounting clerks in the logistics realms can work long hours and take on grueling tasks. But no matter what position you might hold, you should be mindful of your personal life and remember to take a step back every now and then. Don’t be afraid of taking a vacation – companies shouldn’t stigmatize you for using your hard-earned time off. In fact, a vacation can be the perfect way to escape the day-to-day stress of logistics and return to work with a fresher, more positive outlook.

If you feel yourself burning out and a vacation isn’t yet in the cards, there are smaller ways to relieve your frustrations. Even a lunch break can be a welcome change of pace. This means leaving the office and sitting down somewhere for at least a half hour. We often forget to enjoy our meals, instead rushing them back to our desk where we work and eat at the same time. After work, try to set aside at least a few hours to stay off your phone and away from your computer – this way you won’t have to think about potential problems before you fall asleep.

At Zip Xpress, we understand that burnout is a very real problem in corporate America, and the logistics industry can be highly unforgiving. Still, it is vital to take a breath and remember that you have a life to live. We try to create a culture that helps people when they need it, celebrates small victories and are always searching for ways to add enjoyment to our work. We understand that small, personal victories throughout the day can help you get through even the most hectic and stressful times because we need creative solutions to these complex problems. To see how our talented employees can provide solutions to your shipping problems, start today with Zip Xpress!

We’re so grateful for all of the people that make this company special and we hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful thanksgiving!

Thank you to everyone for all of your hard work and dedication.

Happy Thanksgiving from Zip Xpress!