5 Considerations of Choosing A Freight Carrier

In order to get the best value for your money while receiving and sending your shipments on time and in the best condition possible you need to find a suitable freight carrier.  Your shipments are worth a great deal to you and need to be handled with the utmost care.  Shipments need to be received on time and in perfect condition to maintain your business’s reputation within the industry.  There are 5 critical elements that need to be considered when looking to find the most suitable carrier for your shipments.  Let’s explore this in a bit more detail.

  • Safety of Your Shipment

When looking into available shippers it is reasonable to expect that anyone in the race for your business is fully licensed and insured.  As a business owner it is your responsibility to only consider a freight company that insures your shipment and offers compensation in case of causalities that occur along the way before shipments have reached their preferred destinations.

  • The Type of Shipment

Take a look into the type and volume of your shipments.  This will allow you to identify the most suitable freight companies to handle your shipments.  Often times, business owners decide to work with a freight broker who will handle the detail of finding a freight company for you.  However, if this is not an option or you prefer to keep the logistics of your company in house look for a freight carrier that has a record of transporting goods that match yours and your area of trade.  Some freight carriers and trucking companies offer diverse services while other specialize in one shipment type. The same is true for service areas; while some companies service the entire US and global shipments others stick to specific regions, such as the Midwest.

  • Shipping Areas

As previously mentioned there are companies that only ship regionally.  Obviously, this element is crucial.  It is important that you consider freight carriers that serves your region.  Consider working with a company that offers freight services from your preferred destination to your nearest local terminal for purposes of convenience and accessibility of your shipment. You can use this company for future projects.

  • Regular Shipment

If you are having weekly or monthly regular shipments, you need to identify a freight carrier that can handle your regular loads and deliver your shipment right on time, right where you want them to depend on the nature of your business.

  • Market Rates

Before paying for the services, you need to know whether you will get value for your money. Expensive is not always the best. Finding a freight carrier that offers top quality services at the most reasonable rates is most important for your business.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

Main Factors Affecting Freight Charges

The cost of transporting commodities from one place to another is affected by various factors.  Freight charges may vary from one destination to another but there are standard issues that influence shipping rates on a global level.  These include:

Mode of Transport:  This allows business owners to choose the right means of transportation depending on the size, perishability, and the fragile state of the cargo.  Large shipments require spacious cabins and well-equipped freight vehicles.  Some goods are too delicate to fit all in one truck, hence the option of cargo trains in transportation.  If you are transporting perishable items through the air, the cost will be higher than opting for a truck equipped with preservatives.  Water transportation takes longer and carries heavy equipment; therefore, freight rates differ according to the amount or the number of items in question.

Weight: The less than truckload shipping (LTL) rates are set in a manner that favors the heaviest loads.  According to carriers, LTL costs less per a hundred pounds for heavy cargo, but freight charges are distributed using the various weight groups set aside for all shipments.   On that account, more weight means high freight rates and vice versa.  For supply chains, full truckload (FTL) is cost effective and fast.  Their freight rates follow the same rules as the LTL, but the latter makes fewer or no stops.

Distance and Time: Shipping companies charge less while delivering within their geographical location, but they sometimes tend to receive items for clients beyond their reach.  Instead of returning the cargo, they transfer it to the nearest LTL carrier who in turn charges more for the final delivery.  Basically, the longer the distance, the higher the price.  Just in time (JIT) deliveries are charged more due to the urgency of the products in question.  Most carriers have a specific time assigned for transportation.  On that note, it will cost more to adjust the company’s schedule or ensure fast delivery.

Density and Classification of Freight: To determine density, shippers take the total weight of the cargo and divide it by mass. Also, include detailed information about the package’s physical appearance (i.e., protrusions or overhangs). The denser a shipment is, the lower the charges and the lighter it is, the higher the price. How so? The LTL freight rates are classified according to the various classes (ranging from 50-500) established by the NMFTA (National Motor Traffic Association). They fall into lower and higher-class levels. The former represents freights that are dense and easy to handle while the latter covers the light and fragile shipments.

Other factors include:

  • Extra services given by carriers beyond their usual routes, drop off points, or docks involve making deliveries inside a prison, jail, school or church. Adding another extra mile to their schedule means more fuel hence higher freight rates.
  • Negotiations can be carried out between a carrier and a client in cases where the shipment falls into the lower and higher class. Vendors transporting multiple commodities seek the Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates because the rates are cheaper despite the shipment’s weight.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

The Role of Trucking in Logistics Business

Logistics encompasses a combination of production and the delivery of a product or service to ensure efficient and effective management of various warehouse and distribution companies. Logistics management matters because it controls the flow of supplies to match the needs of the manufacturer with the schedule of sales to customers. It also coordinates the flow of information in terms of delivering feedback about sales, financing, and the delivery of product from various suppliers.

Trucking, on the other hand, involves the research and planning of trucking operations and considers all the factors involved in the transportation of goods by trucking companies with the goal of maximizing productivity and efficiency. In trucking logistics, distribution companies analyze trucking routes to improve efficiency through the reduction of delivery times including putting into consideration the type of load being transported to determine the best shipping method of goods.

Depending on what you want to transport and where you have the following services to choose from:

Just-in-Time Truckload (JIT)

This freight forwarding service specializes in the transportation of oversized goods on flatbeds, multi-axle trailers, or step decks. The Just in time truckload services includes same day land delivery in a local area or air freight services that can either be same day or next day. JIT transportation services are location-specific to ensure that a client’s shipment arrives at its destination on time, hence reducing storage and inventory cost while allowing customers to track their products in transit.  3pls prefer the Just in time truckload method because there are minimal inventory levels, which makes it cost effective as it minimizes the number of consignments a client can hold at a time. The turnaround of stock is equally fast, which also minimizes the risks of damaged or stolen goods.

Full Truckload Shipping (FTL)

Full truckload shipping is a cost-effective and practical solution for any large domestic shipment especially for time-sensitive, delicate or high-risk freight because the goods stay in the same truck during the entire journey. Full truckload shipping is a faster and safer method of transportation where companies dedicate an entire truck to a single client, regardless of the weight or size of the shipment. There are no stopovers, and the goods are not handled en route until they reach their destination. This minimizes the chances of mishandling or damaging the consignment.

Less Than Truckload shipping (LTL)

This shipping solution has several advantages as well as disadvantage. Less than truckload is cost-effective because clients only pay for the space they use rather than paying for the entire trailer as they would with FTL. The downsides are, shipments are handled several times through the duration of transit and often change trailers several times before reaching the destination. As a result, shipping companies must spend additional resources on the packaging of a product to minimize the potential for damages. Consignments in the Less than truckload method also does not come with guaranteed delivery unless requested, which increases shipment costs.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

 

The Difference Between Less Than Truckload and Full Truckload Shipping

Truckload shipping is the movement of large amounts of homogeneous cargo, generally the amount necessary to fill an entire semi-trailer or intermodal container. A truckload carrier is a trucking company that generally contracts an entire trailer-load to a single customer. This is as opposed to a less-than truckload (LTL) company that generally mixes freight from several customers in each trailer. One advantage Full Truckload (FTL) carriers have over Less than Truckload carriers is that the freight is never handled en route, whereas an LTL shipment will typically be transported on several different trailers.

Understanding the differences between full truckload shipping and less-than-truckload shipping is important for businesses looking to improve their bottom line. Knowing when to use each type of shipping method is beneficial for both cost savings and improved shipping efficiencies.

What is the Difference Between Full Truckload and Less Than Truckload Shipping?

Simply put, full truckload shipping is primarily used when companies have enough goods to fill an entire truck whereas less-than-truckload shipping is used when companies do not have enough items to fill a truck. There are some exceptions to this. Larger companies will sometimes prefer to use a dedicated truck even though they may not have enough items to fill it. With dedicated trucks, the shipped items remain in the truck from the point of origin to the point of destination which is beneficial for both security and safety measures. Unlike full truckload shipments that move goods on a dedicated truck, less-than-truckload shipments consolidate shipments from multiple companies.

When Should Less Than Truckload Shipping Be Used?

Less-than-truckload shipping is ideal for smaller businesses that are not shipping enough items to fill an entire truckload. By using a partner network, goods can be consolidated with shipments from other companies to reduce overall costs. Although less-than-truckload shipping is not as fast as full truckload shipping, the cost savings usually outweigh the expedited transit times.

When Should Full Truckload Shipping Be Used?

Companies should use full truckload shipping when the shipment is large enough to fill the entire truck or when the cost of the items being shipped is far greater than the cost of using a dedicated truck. Full truckload shipping is usually faster and should be used for companies that require expedited shipping or are under strict time constraints. In addition to full truck truckload shipping being significantly faster, there is also less risk involved when using a dedicated shipment truck.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

What Option in Freight Shipping is best for your Business

Many businesses require a freight service to carry and transport their goods. Since freight transport helps moving around materials in both large and small quantities, it is the preferred method of transportation for several different types of businesses. However, freight shipping itself is a very diverse method of transport. There are a few ways to handle freight shipping. Finding the best shipping service for you depends on several factors, including the dimensions and size of the transport, and its efficiency. You also need to be mindful of how quick the service is since no business wants its goods or supplies to be delayed. The following are the best freight shipping options for your business:

Full Truckload Shipping (FTL)

Full truckload shipping refers to the practice of loading huge cargo in freight trailers, to the extent that the entire semi-trailer is filled entirely. It really lives up to its name, with around 15,000 pounds of storage normally utilized in this freight shipping method. If your business requires moving huge amounts of cargo on a regular basis, full truckload shipping (FTL) is the way to go. Utilizing FTL will help you get better freight costs, better insurance, and greater protection, while moving huge amounts of cargo. FTL is the best shipping method for large manufacturers.

Less than Truckload freight shipping (LTL)

If your business entails moving goods more than an amount weighing 150 pounds and does not require and entire trailer, less than truckload shipping (LTL) is the best shipping method for you. LTL’s often carry a mix of different companies’ goods and travel at far greater speeds. Therefore, they are faster than FTLs and make sure that your goods are transported as quickly as possible with the least bit of hassle. LTLs also service a number of different businesses, from the very small to the very large. If you want your goods to be transported as quickly as possible and don’t need the entire truck, use less than truckload freight shipping (LTL).

Just in Time truckload freight shipping

Just in time truckload (JIT) is the best way of ensuring that your goods arrive at the right time as quick as possible. They are smaller than LTLs and FTLs and naturally carry less goods than both. However, with just in time truckload (JIT) shipping, you can ship appropriate items at a set time and be sure that the goods will be delivered on time. With its closed inventory and quick delivery service, JIT is the best freight shipping method for small businesses looking to reach their customers as quickly as possible.

The freight shipping method you choose depends on your own understanding of your business’ needs and then judging which shipping method suits you the best. It is essential to select the appropriate freight shipping method since the shipping plays a big part in your customer dealings and refilling stock.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

WHAT IS LTL (LESS THAN TRUCKLOAD) SERVICE?

LTL (Less than Truckload) shipping service is the most used method of shipping products using a truck. An LTL carrier is used to pick up several small shipments from customers that do not require a whole trailer to be used. In other words, they may be renting space in the back of the trailer. Once the company has turned all of their pickups for that day, they will bring the freight back to their port. It is also likely a terminal will receive delivery from other terminals that were indexed the last time. This space renting technique helps the truck owners to give a reasonable discount to customers while also making extra income from renting the space. This is extremely useful as there are companies or individuals only need to transport small goods, this saves them money as they do not need to pay for the whole truck which they might not be able to afford.

If you want to use LTL shipping for your goods, there are things you will need to consider and some steps you will need to follow. In this article, we will help you go through some of the steps to follow if you want to use the Less Than Truckload Service.

Perform extensive research

Find a shipping and delivery company that offers a wide variety of services and options to their customers.

  • Have a list of general transport requirements for your business, both immediate and potential needs in the foreseeable future.
  • Make a set of all providers you will like to work with.
  • Speak with an account manager at each one.
  • Get and check sources.
  • Make sure the companies you want to work with have the right license for the goods you want to transport.

After the research

It is important to note that not all LTL companies render perfect service, so it is important to spend more than enough time researching on the right LTL service to use. After you have found a company you feel is the right option, you will also need to how the company in particular works as different people have different ways of doing things. You will need to take these few necessary steps before the driver arrives at your end for pick-up to keep your business running smoothly:

  • Prepare your packaging: Appropriate packaging helps ensure trouble-free shipping. It also helps limit any possible damage coming from Trans loading the packaged freight. Most of the time you want your items on a pallet, but you can double check with the carrier.
  • Label every part clearly: Total names and addresses on each piece are needed to ensure that packages found in your shipment arrive undamaged.
  • Have a bill of lading: It is a legal contract between the shipper or possibly a 3rd Party Logistics Supplier (3PL) and the carrier. It contains details of what is being transported.
  • Order Placement: Depending on the time of your purchase, most companies bring a truck at the location that same day or usually the subsequent day at the most recent. Other hints needed will be made known to you by your carrier.
  • Contact your supplier/shipper to find out when your shipment was first shipped, what carrier that was directed at, and an approximate arrival date.
  • On arrival, inspect the shipment immediately for evident signs of damage.
  • Sign the delivery receipt if everything is fine by you.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at http://www.matrixtransportation.com/ltl-truckload.php.  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.