Optimize your freight shipping efficiency with a broad network of carriers
With both the increasing normalization of the economy as the Covid-19 pandemic seemingly begins to recede, or at least become far less severe in its effects, and fears of a recession in the coming months, the future of freight transportation and logistics is difficult to predict.
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shippers and carriers have had to respond quickly to fast-moving shifts in capacity, fuel prices, and market conditions. One key to maintaining flexibility and keeping freight flowing freely is making sure your shipping operations are as efficient as they can be.
Diversifying and expanding your carrier network can improve supply chain efficiency, but this requires identifying the right carriers and knowing how to maintain positive relationships with them.
Carriers respond to new challenges with innovation
In today's rapidly changing transportation landscape, finding capacity and satisfying consumer demands remains a challenge. With the industry facing increasing pressure to be more productive, LTL carriers are turning to innovative solutions to streamline their operations.
One key strategy that is gaining traction is network optimization. By utilizing data, analytics, and cutting-edge tools such as dimensionalizers, LTL carriers are becoming more strategic about the type of freight they accept. As the economy continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, carriers are reassessing their mix of freight and making data-driven decisions to maximize profits and improve service.
What this means for shippers
For shippers, this means that carriers may be more selective about what shipments they will accept. Schedules and routes can change as they are optimized, and carriers will prioritize shipments that fit neatly into these new, more efficient processes. Carriers are now openly communicating to shippers which freight may not fit into their network, based on considerations such as freight lanes and commodity types.
What shippers can do
Keeping lines of communication open with multiple carriers and asking the right questions will enable shippers to determine which carriers can best serve them in different areas and on varying schedules. Some may prioritize specific lanes and commit more of their trucks to them. Being aware of this can help you get the best value for your shipments.
Carriers also value and will prioritize shippers who offer smooth pickup and delivery experiences for their fleet. Shippers should be sure to have their freight packed well, palletized, and ready to be loaded as soon as a truck arrives. But don’t only focus on pickup. Work with those on the delivery location so they are prepared for the delivery as well, with someone on-site to accept the shipment.
If possible, shippers should consolidate their shipments as much as possible. Instead of having two or three separate pickups scheduled over the course of a week, have all the shipments picked up at one time (but check to make sure this won’t result in your shipment going from LTL to volume truckload because that can result in extremely large additional charges).
If managing all this communication and researching every option sounds overwhelming, shippers can benefit from partnering with a tech-enabled third-party logistics provider (3PL) like Koho. Using Koho’s online platform, shippers can instantly get quotes from multiple shippers and choose the route and schedule that best suits their needs. This enables them to adopt a multi-carrier strategy, where freight lanes are aligned with carrier priorities and capacities. By leveraging the strengths of multiple carriers, shippers can build more efficient supply chains.
Optimize your freight shipping efficiency with a broad network of carriers
With both the increasing normalization of the economy as the Covid-19 pandemic seemingly begins to recede, or at least become far less severe in its effects, and fears of a recession in the coming months, the future of freight transportation and logistics is difficult to predict.
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shippers and carriers have had to respond quickly to fast-moving shifts in capacity, fuel prices, and market conditions. One key to maintaining flexibility and keeping freight flowing freely is making sure your shipping operations are as efficient as they can be.
Diversifying and expanding your carrier network can improve supply chain efficiency, but this requires identifying the right carriers and knowing how to maintain positive relationships with them.
Carriers respond to new challenges with innovation
In today's rapidly changing transportation landscape, finding capacity and satisfying consumer demands remains a challenge. With the industry facing increasing pressure to be more productive, LTL carriers are turning to innovative solutions to streamline their operations.
One key strategy that is gaining traction is network optimization. By utilizing data, analytics, and cutting-edge tools such as dimensionalizers, LTL carriers are becoming more strategic about the type of freight they accept. As the economy continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, carriers are reassessing their mix of freight and making data-driven decisions to maximize profits and improve service.
What this means for shippers
For shippers, this means that carriers may be more selective about what shipments they will accept. Schedules and routes can change as they are optimized, and carriers will prioritize shipments that fit neatly into these new, more efficient processes. Carriers are now openly communicating to shippers which freight may not fit into their network, based on considerations such as freight lanes and commodity types.
What shippers can do
Keeping lines of communication open with multiple carriers and asking the right questions will enable shippers to determine which carriers can best serve them in different areas and on varying schedules. Some may prioritize specific lanes and commit more of their trucks to them. Being aware of this can help you get the best value for your shipments.
Carriers also value and will prioritize shippers who offer smooth pickup and delivery experiences for their fleet. Shippers should be sure to have their freight packed well, palletized, and ready to be loaded as soon as a truck arrives. But don’t only focus on pickup. Work with those on the delivery location so they are prepared for the delivery as well, with someone on-site to accept the shipment.
If possible, shippers should consolidate their shipments as much as possible. Instead of having two or three separate pickups scheduled over the course of a week, have all the shipments picked up at one time (but check to make sure this won’t result in your shipment going from LTL to volume truckload because that can result in extremely large additional charges).
If managing all this communication and researching every option sounds overwhelming, shippers can benefit from partnering with a tech-enabled third-party logistics provider (3PL) like Koho. Using Koho’s online platform, shippers can instantly get quotes from multiple shippers and choose the route and schedule that best suits their needs. This enables them to adopt a multi-carrier strategy, where freight lanes are aligned with carrier priorities and capacities. By leveraging the strengths of multiple carriers, shippers can build more efficient supply chains.
