Whether your product is coming straight from the farm, is moving between processing, or heading off to the consumer, the dairy industry needs first-rate cold chain solutions to meet their complex supply chains.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and butter are household staples and essential in many people’s diets. It’s no surprise that the dairy industry is considered one of the fastest-growing industries, almost doubling in value every five years. To keep up with consumer demand, the dairy industry needs exceptional cold chain solutions to keep their products cold and safe for consumption.

Why the Dairy Industry Needs Cold Chain Solutions

Dairy products all start with milk, and it has a short shelf life. After the cows have been milked, it immediately transports to cooling storage tanks or a chilled trailer. To ensure the milk doesn’t spoil, it must be stored at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s then transported to a processing facility, pasteurized, and transported again to consumers.

Usually, this process alone, from cow to store, takes place in about two days. Now, milk is often a starting point for the many diverse dairy products available. Depending on the final product, dairy supply chains have more steps and complexities added.

Common Issues Requiring Cold Chain Solutions

• Temperature Control Needed for Most Dairy Products
• Capacity During Peak Shipping Seasons
• Managing Milk Production with Dairy Demand
• Supply Chain Disruptions
• Dairy is Highly Regulated 
• Supply Chain Visibility 
• Potential High Value Dairy Products

Temperature Control Needed for Most Dairy Products

Most dairy products need storage at specific temperatures to keep from spoiling. Dairy products need strict attention because of the risk posed to consumers if the cold chain is broken. If not consistently kept cold and free of humidity, bacteria in the dairy can cultivate and dairy products can become harmful.

Capacity During Peak Shipping Seasons

While some dairy products can seek out alternative transportation modes, most find shipping truckload is the most viable option. It’s usually the fastest and cheapest way to move the product because of its weight. It’s also the most viable due to freight security and nature of the product, and because it reduces the risk of claims due to temperature fluctuations or shifting. Since most dairy products need refrigerated trucks for their shipments this can make capacity an issue at times, such as produce season, when reefer capacity can be tighter. It can not only be more difficult to secure a refrigerated truck, but more expensive to do so.

Managing Milk Production with Dairy Demand

Dairy product demand can fluctuate. Yet, even when consumers want fewer dairy products, the cows don’t stop making milk. They can’t be turned on and off like machines, giving the dairy industry a unique balancing act to handle.

Additionally, when it comes to shipping milk, most of that is kept regional given the short shelf life and cost to ship, making dairy demand management even trickier.

Supply Chain Disruptions

As we’ve learned in recent years, there’s always the chance for supply chain disruption to happen. Whether that’s a truck breaking down, a roadblock, or some other instance that would cause delays. With several dairy products (like milk) having a short shelf life, any delays can risk product spoiling and going to waste. Companies in the dairy industry need to be able to act quickly if any disruption happens. 

Dairy is Highly Regulated 

Dairy products are associated with foodborne illnesses, so it’s no surprise that they’re highly regulated. Right from the start, milk is tested to ensure it’s of safe quality to consume and make other products from. There’s also the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which places strict requirements on sanitary transportation and the handling of dairy products.

Supply Chain Visibility 

Because of so many factors mentioned above, it’s important for dairy companies to have full, real-time visibility of their supply chains. Additionally, many wholesale food distributors and grocery warehouses hold very strict requirements for appointments with very strict product quality inspections to be accepted into their inventory. Without it, dairy companies are at risk of losing products and money due to spoilage, disruptions, delays, or regulation requirements. 

Potential High Value Products

Certain dairy products can be high value, like some cheeses for example. This can make the overall value of the load to be costly should there be any potential claims. It’s best for shippers to work with expert providers who have the experience and knowledge to handle any high value dairy products.

Leading Cold Chain Solutions from Trinity Logistics

Shippers in the dairy industry looking for first-rate cold chain solutions can find all they need with Trinity Logistics. We’re a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider with over 40 years of experience serving logistics solutions to some of the top-known brands in the food and beverage sector.

Standard Operating Procedures for Temperature-Controlled Shipments

One of the reasons we excel in cold chain solutions is our standard operating procedures in place for every temperature-controlled shipment we arrange. This includes:

• Only working with carrier relationships that have downloadable reefer units
• Requiring carriers to pre-cool trailers a minimum of one to two hours before pickup
• Requiring carriers to run their reefer units on continuous
• If necessary, requiring carriers to pulp product before loading
• Requiring carriers to use one of our tracking and tracing partners for real-time shipment visibility
• Only using carriers that have refrigerated trailers that are 2015 or newer

We understand just how critical it is that your product stays at its required temperature. That’s why we work with our trusted, experienced carrier relationships to ensure your product arrives fresh.

Multi-Modal Cold Chain Solutions

No matter what transportation mode you need your product to ship, we have the logistics solutions to support your business now and in the future, including;

• Truckload
• Expedited
• International
• Cross-broder
• Air or ocean shipping
• Drayage
• Less-than-truckload 
• Managed Transportation

This enables your business to seamlessly run regardless of what change or growth you experience.

In-Depth Transportation Management

Whether you need a transportation management system (TMS), to fully outsource your logistics, or your own customized managed transportation solution, we can help. We know each business is unique, which is why our system is highly configurable so we can meet your exact needs. Our Trinity experts will work as part of your business, offering in-depth reporting and data to help get you ahead of your competitors.

No Need to Worry About Disruptions

Did I mention that Trinity has been serving cold chains for over 40 years? We’ve seen it all when it comes to supply chain disruptions and delays. We know how to quickly adapt plans to keep your freight moving. While you’ll have your sole Trinity relationship to lean on for updates, we also have a 24/7 Team in case we need any additional support. You can learn to rest easy whenever your shipment is in our care.

Experts in Temp-Controlled Logistics and Dairy

Trinity Logistics has been serving cold chains for 40-plus years, in addition to our parent company, Burris Logistics, that was built on its expertise of handling temperature-controlled commodities.

There’s also Honor Foods, another Burris Logistics company you can lean on for food redistribution if needed. Honor Foods is a leading foodservice redistributor with locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions of the U.S. They specialize in frozen, refrigerated, dairy, and dry products with over 3,000 stocked items from 300+ trusted suppliers.

Our People-Centric Service

What makes Trinity unique from other 3PLs and what our customers praise the most is our exceptional People-Centric service. We’re a company built on a culture of family and servant leadership, and that culture shines through in our service to you. It’s our care, compassion, and communication that you’ll notice and appreciate.

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Imports on the Rebound?

For the past 14 months, much of the conversation around U.S. container import volume has been gloomy.  

Figure 1.1 shows the steady decline in import volume that began in August of 2022, and those volumes have remained lower when you compare them year-over-year (YoY) for most of 2023.  

September and October have begun to see that narrative change, with September of this year outpacing September of 2022. Comparing this year’s volume to 2021 and even 2022 is somewhat an “apples to oranges” comparison because of the frenzied consumer activity. A better comparison is how 2023 is stacking up versus pre-Covid years.

September 2019 saw approximately 2.05 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU’s) come through U.S. ports. September 2023 is seeing an increase of roughly seven percent in comparison. There are numerous efforts underway with U.S. retailers – like Walmart, Target and Amazon – to boost consumer sales with deals ahead of the traditional holiday buying season. This should continue to boost imports through the remainder of the year.  

It will be important for shippers, carriers, and brokers to keep an eye on activity around U.S. ports as rates will reflect the supply and demand. An example can be seen the Los Angeles market. As seen in Figure 1.2, in the past 90 days, outbound volume from this market has increased almost 23 percent and the rate of carrier rejections has also shown an upward trend by over 50 percent.

Capacity Declining

Six months ago, I would have taken a bet with anyone that the spread between contract and spot rates would not be greater than $0.50 per mile.  

With capacity exiting the market and shippers making more frequent use of rate tools like mini-bids, the prevailing thought was that spot rates would remain relatively stagnant, or possibly a slight uptick, but contract rates would show a sharp decline. Good thing I was nowhere near a betting window.  

The spread continues to hover around $0.80 per mile as seen in Figure 1.3, with contract rates being higher.  Annual bid season is fast approaching, and it will be interesting to see if recent upward volume trends combined with an increase in carrier revocations will continue to keep contract rates where they currently reside or if the “sharpen the pencil” adage will be more prevalent.

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Trinity Logistics, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, is proud to share that the company’s President, Sarah Ruffcorn, is a recipient of the 2023 Women in Supply Chain award. 

Selected to receive the award by Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, this recognition honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship, and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network. This year, there were over 400 submissions, the highest number of applications ever submitted. 

“I am both honored and humbled to receive the 2023 Women in Supply Chain award,” said Sarah. “I have immense gratitude for all the coaching and support I’ve received throughout my years at Trinity. Thank you to the leaders and mentors I’ve worked with who have challenged and empowered me, to my Team who have trusted and supported me, and to my husband and family who have given me unwavering support and encouragement to live out my God-given gifts. Thank you all!”

Sarah has a 20-year tenure at Trinity Logistics, having started as a dispatcher in Carrier Sales and holding several leadership roles before being named President in 2019. Within her current role, Sarah works to ensure all Trinity Team Members, regardless of gender, have access to both leadership training and opportunities. Sarah also makes waves within the industry by serving on the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) Board of Directors, as well as a co-chair of its Women in Logistics Committee, helping engage and promote women within the logistics industry. 

“I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Sarah Ruffcorn for the past seventeen years and would describe her as a visionary and strategic leader with a gracious, compassionate, and humble heart,” said Doug Potvin, Chief Financial Officer at Trinity Logistics. “With these qualities, she’s excelled as a dynamic leader, not only for Trinity Logistics but in the logistics industry as well, leaving a legacy for future women in the industry to model. Sarah, in all that she does, embodies all the company’s core values and is a worthy recipient of the 2023 Women in Supply Chain Award.”

While the supply chain industry is excelling at incorporating more women in the supply chain, there’s still more work to be done. That’s why four years ago, Supply & Demand Chain Executive launched this award to champion women who are making a difference and thank them for their inspiration to possible leaders.

“Sarah is a servant leader through and through,” said Anne Reinke, President and CEO of TIA. “She focuses on her team, and how to help them succeed, while still steering the ship of a large and complex logistics company.  We at TIA are lucky to have her on our Board of Directors, and this recognition of her excellence is well-deserved.”

About Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.   

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.  

We are currently recognized as a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, a Top Freight Brokerage Firm by Transport Topics, and a Green Supply Chain Partner of 2023 by Inbound Logistics.  

To learn more about Trinity Logistics, visit https://trinitylogistics.com. 

Stay up to date on the latest information on conditions impacting the freight market, curated by Trinity Logistics through our Freightwaves Sonar subscription.

Freight Volumes Stagnant

As the U.S. continues to pull the levers to throttle the over-heated economy we experienced over the past few years, freight volumes, which are largely driven by consumer activity, have seen the impact of less buying from John and Jane Doe. It’s expected that muted consumer activity will continue through the first half of the calendar year 2024. We still expect to see a seasonal increase in spending at the end of the year for holiday shopping, but with consumers being more dependent on credit for purchases, and the rate of savings on the decline, expenditures are expected to be less than in prior years.  

Combined with declines seen on the industrial production and manufacturing side, the hope for a rebound in freight volumes will not take place in 2023.  The prevailing thought at this point is a return to a more balanced supply and demand regarding freight transportation will be driven by carrier attrition.  

Nobody likes to see businesses fail, but we continue to see a market where oversupply has created trucking rates, particularly on the spot side, that are borderline if not less than what it costs a carrier to operate. Since the middle of 2022 and continuing this year, that decline in carriers for hire has continued as seen in Figure 1.1. Most of the attrition is carriers with five trucks or less, but as we’ve seen recently with Yellow Corporation closing its doors, no carrier is immune.

Capacity Declining

To further illustrate the impact of freight volumes on capacity, Figure 1.2 shows how capacity responds, almost in lockstep, with increases and decreases in freight volumes.  

As freight volumes were accelerating in the latter part of 2020 and through early 2022, trucking companies popped up at a rapid pace to meet the demands of shippers. Carrier compliance, to a small extent, took a backseat as shippers were eager to make new friends with those who could get their product off the docks and to the end user in a race to satisfy consumer demand.  

As freight volumes started to decline, as seen by the blue line in Figure 1.2, the need for capacity waned and began the downward trend (as shown by the white line) regarding carriers in the market.

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Trinity Logistics, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, is proud to share that the company has received a bronze sustainability rating by EcoVadis. 

EcoVadis is a trusted and globally recognized provider of business sustainability ratings and insights. Over 1,000 enterprises rely on EcoVadis to assess and manage sustainability practices within their supply chain. EcoVadis measures the sustainability management system of a company through 21 criteria focused on its four key performance areas of Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainability Procurement.

The assessment includes a questionnaire completed by the company assessed and an expert analysis by EcoVadis. A bronze rating is given to companies that place within the top 50 percent of all companies assessed. In addition, the company must meet the following requirements:

• Cannot operate in the manufacturing of tobacco products, weapons, ammunition, or the mining of coal and lignite
• Cannot have any severe findings
• Cannot have one or more major findings in two or more performance areas
• Cannot have five major findings in any single performance area
• Cannot have 25 minor findings in any single performance area
• Cannot have two or more performance areas with at least five minor findings in each

“The rigorous EcoVadis assessment called for documented proof of processes, actions taken, and additional forms of backup to score Trinity Logistics’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles,” said Kristin Deno, Director of Operation Risk at Trinity Logistics. “EcoVadis allows us to maintain a strict level of accountability to our Team Members, stakeholders, and the world at large. The scorecard shows where we sit currently, but more importantly, it provides an opportunity to highlight areas where we can continue and even expand efforts on our path to sustainability.”

Sustainability is something Trinity has always taken very seriously. Since 2008, Trinity Logistics has participated in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Smartway Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that is caused by freight transportation. Trinity has also been partners with the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® since 2009, which involves staying committed to improving company performance through community awareness, security, distribution, and pollution prevention. Additionally, Trinity recently became a Carbonfree Partner® with Carbon Fund to become “carbon-neutral” by donating funds to offset emissions. 

“We are honored to be awarded a bronze medal and be ranked among the top 50 percent of companies in sustainability by EcoVadis,” said Sarah Ruffcorn, President of Trinity Logistics. “Doing the right thing has always been foundational to Trinity’s culture, and that includes our part in sustainability. We know it is a never-ending journey of continuous improvement and we look forward to making even more progress as we work towards next year’s assessment.”

About Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.   

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.  

We are currently recognized as a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, a Top Freight Brokerage Firm by Transport Topics, and a Green Supply Chain Partner of 2023 by Inbound Logistics.  

Motor carriers aren’t the only ones affected by deadheading.

While every mile driven takes a toll on the environment, research shows that deadhead miles account for over a third of carbon emissions in trucking. In fact, 36 percent of trucks travel empty in the U.S. every day, averaging roughly 61 billion miles deadheading every year.

Simply put, deadheading is an inefficiency problem within the logistics industry, one that we all know we need to improve. According to a survey by Convoy, 69 percent of respondents said reducing deadhead miles is important to them. By reducing deadhead miles, both shippers and carriers can slash their supply chain costs while also making an environmental impact.

WHAT IS DEADHEADING IN TRUCKING?

Deadheading, deadhead miles, or empty miles – they all mean the same thing – that a truck is driving empty. Usually, this happens once a driver has made a delivery to the receiver, and they don’t have freight to pick up until their next destination. This means they drive empty back to the original shipping point or to their next pickup location. Empty miles waste time for a carrier by failing to generate revenue. It also causes them to incur extra operating costs and contribute more emissions into our atmosphere.

Ideally, the most efficient use of a carrier’s time is finding a backhaul shipment. This is a nearby shipment that needs to be picked up and delivered close to or at their next destination, so either their pickup origin or next pickup.

HOW DEADHEADING POSES PROBLEMS

We’ve already discussed how deadheading contributes to C02 emissions and how carriers lose money running deadhead miles, but what about shippers? How are they affected?

Well, those carriers need to make up the money and time they lost deadheading somehow. They’re likely to charge a higher rate on their following shipments to do so.

Also, driving empty miles can be dangerous when severe weather occurs. A truck can weigh about half its weight empty than when it’s full, making it more susceptible to accidents. While truck drivers are trained in managing high winds and road safety, that’s often with a full truck and not an empty one. The same winds that shake a passenger car have been known to flip an empty truck.

WHY IS DEADHEADING SO COMMON?

It’s often difficult for a carrier to find their own backhauls, nor do shippers have the time to focus and invest their time in them. They need the truck to pick up and deliver and return to pick up the next shipment, not thinking of the in-between. Other carrier relationships and contracted shipments can get in the way, making it difficult to arrange or find backhauls.

HOW TO REDUCE DEADHEADING

It’s possible for shippers to keep backhauls for carriers in mind to both help keep carrier relationships moving and make headway on sustainability initiatives.

Make Use of Technology

Technology makes it much easier to match a truck with an available shipment. You can make use of digital freight matching (DFM) tools like Trucker Tools or DAT, which give shippers and carriers an easier way to find each other and match up based on suitable capacity for a shipment. Automation and machine learning in those applications help quickly find and create those matches.

A transportation management system (TMS) can also be helpful here. A TMS brings together information on all shipments and digital freight networks to help make sure trailers are utilized fully and backhauls gain the coverage they need. A TMS also gives you the opportunity to optimize your routes to reduce any deadheading.

Consider Consolidating Your Freight

Combining your partial shipments into a full truckload to one distribution point to then be delivered by a regional carrier or vice versa can allow for fewer empty miles and trucks on the road, saving you money and reducing your emissions.

Consider Continuous Move Planning

This plan involves stringing loads together to make the most of fleet utilization and driver time by bundling low-volume and high-volume lanes together. Carriers will add lanes across many customers, creating closed-loop routes to keep freight moving constantly. As a benefit, shippers often receive per-mile rates since they are making use of a carrier’s empty miles. This can be a bit more complex, but with a TMS and proper communication, can be an effective way to reduce deadheading.

TRINITY CAN HELP YOU REDUCE DEADHEAD MILES

Deadheading is an industry-wide problem that we all need to work on together to resolve. Carriers need to dedicate time for searching and finding backhauls, just as shippers need to work with carriers to reduce their empty miles. That’s one way an intermediary, a 3PL like Trinity Logistics, can step in and help. We can work with both parties to arrange shipments so that each company has its unique needs met.

We have over 40 years of experience arranging shipments between shippers and carriers. Our Team of experts can help shippers plan and organize their shipments and recommend freight consolidation strategies when it’s suitable. We also have a Carrier Development Team dedicated to growing our carrier relationships by learning their wants and needs. We reach out and gather their preferred lanes and capacity to better match them to available shipments to keep them moving and generating revenue.

Trinity Logistics is also recognized as a Green Supply Chain partner for its sustainability initiatives and solutions available to offer shippers more options for their logistics that can reduce their carbon emissions.

If you’d like to talk to one of our experts about your shipping needs and find more sustainable options, click the button below so we can get started.

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Length of Haul Does Impact Acceptance Rate

If you’ve been following the overall U.S. volume and shipment rejection rates this year, aside from the typical blips seen around the holidays, these have been relatively stagnant. The overall rejection rate has hovered very near the three percent range.  

However, if you break that down by the length of haul, it’s clear that carriers clamor for those short-haul shipments, anything less than 250 miles, as this typically will allow the drivers to be home at night. On the other end of the spectrum, those mid-range shipments (250-450 miles) are seeing the highest rejection rate, just below four percent as seen in Figure 1.1.  

There could be several reasons for this. Most likely it’s the fact that a driver can make a trip of that length in one day, but it’s not a full day’s worth of driving. So, if the driver is getting a per-mile rate and not driving for the full 11 hours that are eligible, this length of haul “loses” money when compared to longer shipments that allow the driver to hammer down for the full allotment of driving hours.  

Now, I realize four versus two-point-five percent doesn’t seem like a big gap, but that is a 60 percent variance. If the freight volumes and capacity begin to balance, and rejection rates by length of haul follow the same trends, you could see mid-range rejection rates in the 15 percent range while shorter hauls only see rejection rates in the six percent range. Certainly that will have an influence on future rates.

SPOT AND CONTRACT GETTING CLOSER

As expected in Figure 1.2, the variance between contract and spot rates continues to shrink. Since the widest gap this year, when contract rates were about $0.78 per mile higher than spot rates, the gap has shrunk by almost 30 percent in a three-month period. 

For the most part, spot rates have found a floor, and if anything, have seen a modest uptick. Contract rates have seen frequent requests for re-pricing. Carriers continue to refine their contracted rates balanced with the expectation of almost 100 percent compliance with freight tenders and excellent service.  

In 2021 and 2022, shippers were open to expanding their carrier and broker pool as capacity constraints and increased volume necessitated more choices. Now that the balance has shifted, shippers are looking to right-size their partners, with a mix of compliance, price, and service steering their decision-making process.

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Stagnant Freight volumes Continue to Push Carrier Compliance

2023 continues to see freight volumes showing little fluctuation. With freight volumes dipping more than 30 percent lower than the industry experienced over the past year, and little attrition at this point with carrier capacity, shippers are seeing freight tenders gobbled up almost exclusively as soon as they are offered.  

While there was a slight increase during the July 4^th holiday week, primarily due to drivers taking extended time off the road, rejection rates have returned to their normal place of three percent on the van and reefer side (Figure 1.1).  Flatbeds continue to see rejection rates almost three times what vans and reefers are experiencing, but the trend has been slightly downward over the past two months.  

With no major signs of a rebound in volume, carriers will continue to strive for 100 percent compliance with freight tendered to them, and push for impeccable service to show why they need to continue to be a mainstay for shippers.

Start Preparing for a Balanced Market

There seems to be a tightening of the gap between contract and spot rates (Figure 2.1).  This was helped a bit by spot rates seeing an increase at the start of July, but contracted rates being rebid over the last three months have been the primary driver. 

In a normal market, the spread between contract and spot rates is around $0.15 – $.20 per mile. Currently, contract rates are $0.65 per higher per mile.  

As shippers expanded their carrier network in 2021 and 2022, look for a trimming over the next six months as shippers look to honor their volume commitments to contracted partners but provide themselves an opportunity to realize savings with capacity in the spot market.  

We do expect the supply and demand cycle to balance as we head into 2024, so shippers need to ensure they are not creating hurt feelings with carriers that find themselves on the outside looking in. Remember, this industry is a three-legged stool, and everyone benefits when things are in balance.

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There are some common misconceptions out there about less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. If you fall victim to any of these LTL shipping myths, you could end up thinking this mode isn’t for your freight. Or worse, spending extra time or money that you could have saved with your LTL shipping.

Here are some of the most popular misunderstandings about LTL shipping and why they’re simply not true.

LTL SHIPPING IS DIFFICULT

Many companies actually find this mode of shipping to be the most flexible and easy to book. As long as you’re working with a quality LTL carrier or third-party logistics (3PL) provider, you’ll find that LTL shipping can be one of the easier modes of transportation to work with.

LTL SHIPPING RATES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE

Some believe that there’s no room for negotiation when it comes to rates for this mode. In reality, you can negotiate your LTL shipping rates but you’ll need a solid relationship with your carrier to see any benefit. You can also negotiate outside of peak shipping season when companies are more likely to offer lower rates. When you choose to work with Trinity for your LTL, you can trust that our experts negotiate on your behalf to get you the best rate for your specific shipping needs.

ALL LTL ACCESSORIAL FEES ARE THE SAME

In reality, accessorial charges in LTL shipping can fluctuate between carriers by as much as 50 percent.

To determine the accessorial fees charged by a specific carrier, you can look at their rules tariff. This will give you a breakdown of all the accessorials they charge. Some of the most common accessorial charges include liftgates, residential delivery, hazardous material fees, and limited access charges.

One reason these charges vary between carriers is whether they calculate the fee based on cents-per-hundred-pounds or by a flat rate. They can also vary based on different pricing agreements or contracts already in place. 

“I’VE BEEN SHIPPING THE SAME FREIGHT FOR YEARS, AND MY CLASS HAS NEVER CHANGED, SO I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT CHANGING IN THE FUTURE.”

It’s important to always double-check to confirm your freight class hasn’t changed. The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) board meets twice a year and revises the freight classes for dozens of different commodities, so there’s always a chance that your freight class could change without warning.

Even if you’ve never had issues with re-classifications in the past, LTL carriers remain strict about having accurate classifications on the bill-of-lading (BOL). Carriers often equip their drivers with tape measures and scanning devices to determine dimensions and double-check your freight’s class.

LTL SHIPPING TIMES ARE GUARANTEED

Unless specified as guaranteed, LTL shipping times are estimates. Due to LTL’s flexible service offerings, carriers cannot truly guarantee specific times.

This means both your pick-up and delivery times are never guaranteed (unless specified). Even with a specified guarantee, there can sometimes be a delay or missed window.

The good news is that you can receive tracking notifications from the carrier, so you know once they have picked up. The same goes for your delivery. You’ll receive an estimated delivery date but should be able to track and trace through your provider and receive any notifications if there’s a delay.

You can check with your LTL carrier or provider if they can offer guaranteed LTL shipping as an additional service – meaning there’s an extra charge for this. In this case, it’s imperative that you list the delivery time clearly on the BOL.

A guaranteed delivery time only takes effect once the shipment is picked up from the shipper’s address, and delays in pick-up will not be factored into that time. Transit time does not include the day of pickup or weekends and holidays. It’s also good to note that added requirements at the delivery location, like delivery appointments, can also void the guarantee. 

TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED SHIPMENTS CAN’T GO WITH LTL SHIPPING

Many businesses assume that freight like produce or ice cream can’t ship via LTL because of their need for temperature control. LTL’s flexibility often gets overlooked. With refrigerated LTL, your temperature-controlled freight will be on the same truck as another customer’s freight that needs a similar temperature range. While there are a limited number of LTL providers that can offer this service, it isn’t true that you can’t use LTL for your temperature-controlled shipments. Refrigerated LTL can be a great way to ship any temperature-controlled goods without having to pay full truckload prices. 

WORKING WITH A 3PL FOR LTL SHIPPING ISN’T WORTH IT

This is the common misconception we come across when it comes to LTL shipping. Many companies don’t realize all the benefits that come with using a 3PL for their LTL.

Working with a 3PL like Trinity Logistics gives you the competitive edge of working with an expert in LTL who has a network of strong and trustworthy carrier relationships. What does this mean for you?

Getting LTL shipping quotes and booking shipments with quality LTL carriers is even easier. Especially through Trinity’s Customer Portal, with our LTL Quick Quote feature available. You’ll also have full transparency over your shipment’s transit.

And if your freight is temperature-controlled? No problem. We can help you with any refrigerated LTL shipments. 

Additionally, through our relationships with both large and small LTL carriers, we’re able to negotiate accessorial charges and LTL shipping fees to get you the best service at an ideal rate.

Keep in mind, too, that LTL shipping is about more than just rates. If you experience any service failures or frequent lapses in communication with your current LTL provider, switching to a best-in-class 3PL with top-notch People-Centric service such as ours can save you time and money, even if the rates are the same as before.

See how Trinity Logistics can offer you a better LTL shipping solution.

HVAC contractors and plumbers continue to face supply chain woes like material shortages and rising costs. 

Battling these issues is making it tougher for HVAC contractors and plumbers to meet their customer’s demands in the short term and perhaps even longer. Here’s what HVAC contractors and plumbers can do to rise above. 

WORK WITH MANY SUPPLIERS 

If current suppliers can’t meet your needs, then it’s a good time to explore other ones. Many suppliers are ready to strike up new relationships and may be willing to be more flexible with contracts. Shopping with multiple suppliers will not only gain you access to more resources but can offer you more varied pricing options to consider. 

CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS 

It might be worth checking into other materials as they may be easier to get your hands on. Considering other brands of materials or equipment can keep your projects from staying stagnant. 

COMMUNICATION IS KING 

In difficult times like these, communication can be something that gives your company a competitive edge. Not only is it a vital aspect of a successful business, but it helps build trust and long-lasting relationships. While no one likes delivering bad news about backorders or delays, keeping your customers informed will go far, as they’ll appreciate your honesty and transparency. 

IMPROVING CUSTOMER SERVICE 

While material shortages and delays are out of your hands, great customer service will keep your current customers and help you gain new ones. In addition, extra attention to customer service can help address any frustrations among your customers. While these challenges may not last forever, your reputation will, so make sure yours remains good, if not great. 

PRE-ORDER MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT 

Many HVAC contractors and plumbers often only order the materials and equipment as needed. Instead, plan and stock up on the materials you most often use for your projects. This way, you’ll have what you need ready instead of waiting for materials to deliver. 

CONSIDER MODE DIVERSIFICATION 

Trying different modes of transportation could help you offset your increased costs. Keep an eye on transportation costs across the different modes available. Being more flexible with your freight shipping can give you some financial benefits. 

INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY 

Logistics technology, like a transportation management system (TMS), has tools available to help you stay on top of your supply chain and plan efficiently. One example is helping you with your routing decisions by matching your freight with the best carriers, lanes, rates, and transit service. It will also enable you to better track and manage any service disruptions or shipment delays in real-time, thus increasing your service levels and improving your customer relationships. 

THINK ABOUT ONSHORING 

Onshoring is a strategy that HVAC contractors and plumbers can use to mitigate supply chain woes and improve competitiveness. Onshoring strategy can ensure resilience in your supply chain and give your company a competitive edge. 

Onshoring refers to the overall practice of moving manufacturing operations from foreign soil back to the United States or outsourcing to domestic contract manufacturers rather than overseas. An example of onshoring would be having operations moved to Mexico versus China.

Onshoring allows your supply chain shorter travel times since materials and products are much closer than if they were overseas. This not only keeps your projects moving that much quicker but reduces your transportation costs. Additionally, you’ll also have the benefit of being greener due to less fuel being used. 

CONSIDER OUTSOURCING YOUR LOGISTICS 

According to the 2020 Annual Third-Party Logistics Study, 67 percent of shippers stating using a 3PL contributed to reducing their logistics cost, while 83 percent said it improved their service. By outsourcing to a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics, you won’t have to spend hours worrying about your logistics and get the help you may need to be more flexible with your shipping options. 

“In this market where it’s difficult to meet demand and project deadlines due to material and product shortages, it may not be the best option to send it via LTL as you may save a few dollars on the front end but pay for it with extended estimated transit times, and the possibility of the parts being damaged as they go from terminal to terminal throughout transit. Working with a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics, can bring you other possibilities on how to move your freight efficiently, such as dedicated full truck options, expedited (straight trucks/sprinter vans), partial, and hot shot options to keep your freight moving to arrive on time so you can achieve your project deadlines.”

– Michael Whitaker, Business Development Representative at Trinity Logistics 

If you’re looking for a reliable 3PL provider to help with your HVAC supply chain, consider Trinity Logistics. With Trinity, you gain a Team of experts to help optimize your supply chain, help arrange shipping using other modes, and end-to-end visibility through our available technology.