The Road Ahead

The world of logistics is exciting, fast-paced, and, to the dismay of many, often wildly unpredictable. A shipper may have no problem securing trucks to haul their freight on a daily basis for weeks at a time, but one day, seemingly out of nowhere, they may find that the pool of available equipment has quickly dried up and that rates have skyrocketed. There are a variety of factors that can affect capacity in different markets, including produce season, changes in the construction industry, and even weather patterns. While shippers can try to plan for some of these spikes and lulls in capacity, it is impossible to predict these with 100% accuracy. That’s why creating a partnership with a reliable carrier can go a long way in alleviating the stress of market volatility.

Strategic Partnerships don’t just lock in rates for a specified period of time – they also guarantee an agreed upon level of capacity and service. When shippers and carriers enter into a partnership, they create a symbiotic relationship where both companies rely upon and respect each other. There is a team mentality between the two that helps to not only improve communication but also increase dependability and predictability. Rather than relying only on transactional relationships and often shuffling at the last minute to find a truck, securing a reliable carrier partner helps a shipper to better plan their production schedule and stay within their budget.

Zip Xpress places a strong emphasis on partnering with our customers. These partnerships allow us to provide the highest level of service and to develop long-term strategies that help to keep the supply chain running smoothly. By partnering with Zip Xpress, you can expect total dedication and high levels of customer service on every shipment, while eliminating much of the volatility and unpredictability that occurs in the spot market. If you are interested in learning more about how we can improve your shipments, start today with Zip Xpress!

Certain organizations require complex, highly-involved supply chains in order to perform at their highest level. Think of multi-billion dollar big box retailers, international electronics manufacturers, and even the US Army. All of these institutions call for a heavily layered supply chain operation with hundreds or even thousands of employees who all play different but significant roles. For these large, high-revenue firms, an agile, complex supply chain makes perfect sense. However, most small or midsize companies should not try to emulate these large conglomerates, even if they have their sights set on being the next billion-dollar enterprise.

Companies shipping thousands of loads from hundreds of warehouses on a daily basis absolutely need to have a large, diversified supply chain. However, most manufacturers aren’t in need of a massive, diversified supply chain with dozens of employees to manage a complex operation. Oftentimes it’s best for manufacturers shipping 2 or 3 daily truckloads from a single warehouse to achieve success and maximize efficiency by employing a single carrier to provide customized solutions. Working with such an experienced carrier can help keep your operation lean, clean up communication and reduce redundancies wherever possible.

The same can be said for technology systems and even physical space required to run a manufacturing operation. Walmart does itself a favor when it invests in the newest technology and implements expensive systems throughout the organization. However, a smaller shipper may not need to spend the money on a program that can analyze thousands of truckloads a day when the shipping manager already has a firm grasp on the performance. Likewise, consolidating all operations from multiple warehouses into a single central location may make more sense for a smaller firm that is spending too much money on transfers between plants.

At Zip Xpress, we understand how to provide the best service in finding the right supply chain for your business. We understand all of the nuances in the supply chain with our team of professional experts and can partner with you to build the perfect system for your needs. Ultimately, every organization has different logistics requirements, and to help you find yours, start today with Zip Xpress!

One of the common themes being talked about logistics is the arrival of blockchain technologies and how it promises to “revolutionize” the industry. The truth of the matter is is that most of the problems that blockchain intends to solve have already been solved by software currently being implemented in the industry. While new technology is always important, we also cannot forget the importance of great customer service and solving a manufacturer’s problems. That is something technology will likely never be able to do.

Many executives are actually skeptical of some of these new technologies arriving. Even using “Blockchain” in the name causes suspicion. There is no doubt how important data is for analysis along the supply chain, but we can’t forget that the analysis should be about helping shipments arrive on time and undamaged. At Zip Xpress, our data analysis is also focused on showing customers how much carbon dioxide they’ve saved through our sustainability reports. Data certainly has its place in the supply chain, but none of these factors come into play without the human touch. Technology is being designed to enhance the human ability, not replace it.

At Zip Xpress, we pride ourselves at being the most customer-oriented carrier, providing custom carrier solutions for every shipping situation. We understand that there’s a lot of hype and hope that machines will replace humans in the workforce, but that will never be the case. The next time you read an article about how blockchain might revolutionize the industry, remember that many of the proposed solutions are already in place. We also understand that a simple phone call can clear up more than a complex software algorithm ever could. We work with our customers, not hide behind our screens from them. The most successful technologies are the ones that help people succeed. To see how we can help your business succeed, start today with Zip Xpress!

Every year, automobiles becomes more and more reliable. Everything from mopeds, sedans, and commercial trucks have reached a level of quality that we’ve never seen before. Still, it is inevitable that we will experience breakdowns at some point in time, especially when it comes to frequently used long distance trucks. A breakdown on a critical shipment can be a nightmare for the shipper, manufacturer, carrier, and end consumer, and despite being out of anybody’s control, these mechanical failures always seem to come at the worst times. Fortunately, there are some steps that all parties can take to alleviate the pain caused by these situations.

Planning ahead is the most crucial step when it comes to accommodating a breakdown. Carriers should perform routine maintenance and keep their fleets updated to ensure the most reliable equipment is on the road. Manufacturers should do their best to allow some wiggle room when it comes to production and delivery times (although this isn’t always possible). This will help to minimize the likeliness of a breakdown as well as provide more buffer time for solutions. When a mechanical failure does take place, communication is key. Even if it’s something as simple as a flat tire, the carrier should inform the customer immediately. The customer can then relay the message to the manufacturer or receiver, giving the warehouse time to plan for the delay. In critical situations where the load absolutely cannot be late, all parties can work together to find a capable truck that can haul the freight the remainder of the distance.

The most important thing is to remain calm and to avoid placing blame on other supply chain partners. At Zip Xpress we understand a breakdown is nobody’s fault – it’s just an unfortunate fact of life in the transportation industry. We perform routine maintenance on all of our trucks and constantly communicate with whoever is going to receive the shipment. Letting tempers flare and accusing others of service failures only serves to exacerbate the problem and put a strain on the relationship between parties. We understand that we’re in this together with our shippers and will work closely with them to create a solution that will minimize the damage done. To see how we can ensure delivery of your next shipment, start today with Zip Xpress!

Millennials and Generation Z would be well advised to pursue a career in logistics. Considered one of the most resilient sectors of the economy, logistics can provide career stability that few other areas can promise. There is also constant problem solving which means that ‘boring’ will rarely be part of your vocabulary. You’ll also interact with a variety of industries, which means you’ll always be learning about new fields. Whether you aspire to be an analyst or a driver, there are plenty of opportunities available in the logistics field.

So, how does someone get started? A degree certainly helps, and some of the best schools in the country happen to be right here in Michigan. The key factor will be your skills – you’ll need to be able to balance being analytical and proper planning with communication. You will rely on many other people in logistics, so collaboration will be a key skill as well. You’ll also have experienced colleagues who can mentor and provide the hands-on experience many entering the workforce desire. While logistics isn’t a field that’s discussed as often as finance or marketing, rest assured that it’s one of the main backbones to the economy and provides tremendous opportunity for those starting their career.

Here at Zip Xpress, our primary focus is on the problem solving process. We care so deeply for our customer that we visualize their problems as our own. We work through the process together in our office, discussing how we can make every shipment arrive on time and undamaged. We know that communication is a crucial factor for success, as well as being a team player. We focus on culture in the workplace and that our promises are always kept. To learn more about what our logisticians can do for your company, start today with Zip Xpress!

Logistics has another trend catching on that Zip Xpress has been performing for years. What other companies call ‘Premium Service’, Zip Xpress has been doing since the beginning, and while the other companies tack this on as a premium service, this is the standard offering from Zip Xpress. We believe in providing the best service possible from the start, not when the customer selects ‘Premium Service.’

This trend isn’t surprising since manufacturers aren’t interested in seeing their hard work arrive at its final destination damaged. They’re not interested in the costs of remaking the product, processing freight claims and attempts to salvage their damaged product as well as reputation. With all of the costs tied up in manufacturing their products, plus the value of their customer relationships, manufacturers deserve the best custom carrier solutions available. We partner with our customers so we can learn about their business, learn what challenges they face in shipping their product and providing solutions. It’s what we do day after day, year after year.

Just like with sustainability, Zip Xpress has been focused on doing things right since the very beginning. Our focus is on learning and understanding our customers at every step through the supply chain. We created unique optimization protocols which allow our partners to ship their products with confidence and provide them with the security in knowing that it will arrive on time and undamaged. We can ensure that your product will arrive per our service standards no matter what. The best part of it all? We didn’t need to label this as our ‘Premium Service.’ To us, it’s just the way we do business every day. To see how we can provide exceptional service to your supply chain, start today with Zip Xpress.

In logistics, success is reliant on an organization’s performance across a wide range of shipments over a long period of time. On-time percentages, claims ratios, customer satisfaction, and safety are just some of the metrics that are used to determine how well a company has been performing. In the grand scheme of things, a business must strive to keep these marks high over hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of shipments every year. But to achieve success at such a high level, shippers, manufacturers, and carriers alike must first start small.

Every week should be taken one day at a time, and every day one load a time. By establishing goals and objectives at a single shipment level, a company can help foster a work atmosphere that stresses attention to detail and preventative action. If the goal is simply to get as many loads out as possible, there are bound to be small, seemingly harmless errors that may lead to catastrophe down the road. These problems may be brushed aside at first, but a consistent pattern of carelessness will inevitably lead to strained relationships and higher costs on the back-end when trying to reverse the damage that’s already been done. Having measurable objectives and daily SOP’s to ensure proper packaging, labeling, handling, and filing of every single shipment can help every supply chain partner to meet their goals.

In order to maintain a high standard of service and exceptional level of client satisfaction, we at Zip Xpress take every part of our jobs seriously on a daily basis. No matter how many shipments we have on our table, we make sure double and triple check our work on each individual shipment before sending it on the road, and we continue to set standards for it while in transit. We know that spending a little extra time in the beginning can save a time and money in the end for our valued clients. To see how we can provide such consistency to your shipments, start today with Zip Xpress!

Many manufacturers still believe that shipping a full truckload is the safest most economical way to ship their freight. This can be true if their order happens to fill the truck completely with no overflow and only go to one location, but more often than not this isn’t the case. With today’s emphasis on lean manufacturing most shipments are less than a full truckload, and many shippers are realizing the benefits of optimizing freight, as it provides for a more sustainable shipment as well as a cut in costs. Zip Xpress has proven time and again that your freight will arrive in adherence to our service standards.

While most providers may require longer transit times for partial shipments, we make it a point to work around you particular delivery requirements, providing you with the assurance you need that your product will arrive on time and damage free. We also offer several expedite options including our pre-planned expedite program, which allows our customers to offer incredibly fast transit without the high costs of traditional expedite options. Our fine-tuned logistics processes ensure that your product won’t have a delay in service with Zip Xpress.

At Zip Xpress, we cater our headload, blanket wrap, pre-planned expedites and LTL solutions specifically to our customers’ needs. Our top priority is creating more sustainable logistics practices while also providing you with unmatched service for your freight. You can rest assured that your freight is in great hands – your company has worked so hard to bring your products to market, the last thing you want is for it to be delayed, lost, or damaged in transit. Why trust inferior shipping when you can go with the experts at Zip Xpress. To see this level of commitment and care for yourself, start today and experience the difference!