Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the only magazine in the supply chain industry covering the entire global supply chain, has selected Trinity Logistics as a recipient of the SDCE Green Supply Chain Award for 2020.  

The Green Supply Chain Award recognizes companies making green or sustainability a core part of their supply chain strategy and are working to achieve measurable sustainability goals within their own operations and supply chains. The award also recognizes providers of supply chain solutions and services assisting their customers in achieving measurable sustainability goals.

“This year’s 13th-annual award recognizes small, mid-size and large enterprises that leveraged green practices and solutions to further drive sustainable improvements in their supply chain,” says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. 

“From software solutions to transportation management systems to several other initiatives designed to reduce carbon footprint and improve the re-use of materials, sustainability continues to rank as a key component to a stronger, safer and more efficient supply chain.”

Some of the initiatives that landed Trinity’s award are our SmartWay partnership program, Responsible Care Partnership, and offering intermodal as a mode for freight transportation. 

Since 2008, Trinity has proudly participated in the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that is created by freight transportation. 

Since 2009, Trinity has been a part of the Responsible Care Partnership with a commitment to not only ensure the safe arrangement of chemical shipments, but improve company performance through community awareness, security, distribution, employee health and safety, pollution prevention, and process and product safety. 

At Trinity, we have an entire Team dedicated to arranging intermodal or rail shipments. We often encourage our customers this alternative and more eco-friendly mode of freight transportation whenever possible.

Trinity Logistics is honored to receive the Green Supply Chain Award for 2020, making it another reason we are proud to be a part of Team Trinity. We realize the transportation industry holds a heavy responsibility in our planet’s health and look forward to continuing our commitment to our sustainability initiatives while keeping our company’s carbon footprint low.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine have your cold chain logistics worried? If not, you should be taking it into consideration. 

Everyone’s over the pandemic. We’re ready to be back attending public events, traveling to popular destinations, have our kids in school full time, and more. So much of 2020 has had to cancel or make the move to virtual and it’s not the same. Additionally, here at Trinity, the health and wellbeing of our Team Members, Authorized Agents, Carriers, and Customers is our number one priority.

Pfizer, Moderna, and others have quickly turned around vaccine solutions, making the light at the end of the tunnel seem in reach. With everyone looking to gain some sense of normal back into their lives, it means all hands will be on deck for the upcoming vaccine distribution. That means other cold chain commodities, will fall lower in priority. How will this affect your cold chain logistics?

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE

Vaccines are fragile. Most have to store at specific colder temperatures to protect them from deterioration. If left out too long or exposed to fluctuating temperatures, vaccines can lose their effectiveness. According to the World Health Organization, one in four vaccines loses its integrity during transit. Due to their fragility and the extensive attention to detail that the logistics sector has to maintain, roughly 80 percent of a vaccine’s cost comes from its storage and transport. 

Usually vaccines transport in temperature ranges of two to eight degrees Celsius. Currently, nine COVID-19 vaccines are in their Phase 3 trials, with two, Pfizer and Moderna, being very close to distribution. Because of the quick turnaround the world is seeking, these vaccines are containing higher protein bases which need ultracold temperatures, as low as minus 80 degree Celsius. Those receiving vaccines will need to get two doses, each about three to four weeks apart. Over time, vaccines will be developedrequiring more typical refrigeration temperatures and single doses. Regardless, cold chain logistics will continue to play a vital role in the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and for now, the specifications will be strict. 

ALL COLD CHAIN HANDS ON DECK

Currently, Pfizer expects to produce and distribute up to 50 million doses of their vaccine in 2020 and 1.3 billion in 2021; Moderna expects 20 million in 2020 and anywhere from 500 million to one billion in 2021. Not to mention the other vaccines that will make their way as well. It is estimated that to immunize 7.8 billion people worldwide, 10 billion doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be needed.

The FMCSA recently announced their most recent extension of the Hours-of-Service waiver to February 28^th and included carriers transporting COVID-19 vaccines. This effort is expected to be the biggest challenge the logistics sector has ever faced. Currently, logistics experts are struggling to plan ahead because of the lack of very specific information that they need to know about, such as the packaging, amount of dry ice needed to maintain temperatures, warehousing, equipment needed, and more. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

AREAS TO WATCH

Through Operation Warp Speed, Moderna and other upcoming vaccines will deliver to the Mckesson distribution center in Irving, Texas, and then arranged deliveries to hospitals, nursing homes, and other determined points. Moderna will manufacture its vaccine in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. 

Pfizer, however, has chosen to not distribute through Operation Warp Speed. They manufacture their vaccine in Michigan and plan to ship with transportation providers such as UPS and FedEx to locations around the country. They’ve chosen to directly ship to gain greater control and real-time insights into the status of their frozen vials. 

HOW IT AFFECTS CAPACITY

Obviously, reefer capacity is going to be needed for vaccine distribution. But, it’s already tight. If you’re in the cold chain, shipping temperature-controlled items, prepare to continue paying premiums for this service.

Recently, reefer rejection rates have been at almost 50 percent. That means almost one out of every two reefer shipments are being turned down by carriers. When the rejection rates are higher, the tighter capacity is, and the higher cost for you to get your cold freight moved. Reefer rates are already 20 percent higher year-over-year due to increased consumer demand while spending more time at home. 

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

If you ship temperature-controlled goods, the upcoming vaccine distribution efforts should be a concern for your business and logistics, especially if you regularly ship through less-than-truckload (LTL). Many top tier transportation companies such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL are ready to help Operation Warp Speed in the vaccine distribution. Everyone knows the vaccine distribution is the highest priority, but transportation providers also know they will be well compensated for their service of transporting it. This means other cold chain commodities will be pushed further down in priority. This will only continue on as more COVID vaccines become available to be distributed and until risk of COVID is greatly reduced. In the form of some ultracold transportation logistics, winter is coming and the demand for reefers will continue to rise. 

SHIPPING COLD CHAIN? WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE

Communicate.

Get ready now. Start talking to your relationships and providers to make sure you will have trucks to move your freight. Talk to your customers. Let them know now that things may slow down or get behind with the upcoming and expected vaccine distribution efforts.

Things may be getting tougher for you, but I think we all know this is good. We’re one step closer to returning to some sense of normalcy. Hold on, because the light at the end of the tunnel is there. It’s now in reach. We’re just in for a few more bumps in the road, but we’ll make it. 

Looking for an expert in cold chain logistics? 

Author: Christine Morris

When asked about the key to the success of the Authorized Freight Agent Team at Trinity, our answer is always the same. Relationships. The Agent Support Team at the Corporate office is dedicated to building strong relationships with all of our Authorized Freight Agents, whether their office is in the next town over or across the country. These relationships have built friendships that can feel more like family, and bring a heavy investment in the success of our Freight Agent offices. 

However, it’s easy for us to say that we have great relationships with our Freight Agents, but why not hear directly from one of them? Get to know one of our Authorized Freight Agents – maybe you’ve seen her picture on the Authorized Freight Agent page of the Trinity Logistics website – Lyn Hollingsworth! By getting to know Lyn, you’ll gain some insight into the life of an Independent Freight Agent, what it takes to be a success in the industry, and a little about what it means to be an Authorized Freight Agent with Trinity Logistics. See how Lyn answered a few questions from our Director of Agent Services, Jen Hoffman. 

Conversation with Lyn Hollingsworth, Trinity Authorized Freight Agent

Jen: How long have you been in the industry?

Lyn: I started in the industry right out of college where I went to school for logistics, when I went to work for Preston Trucking. I started as a cost analyst, worked multiple roles, and was with them for 17 years until they closed their doors. Then I joined a small 3PL down in Florida for a few years. There were two men that ran the company and an office manager. When talking with them about the opportunity, they said I could work four or 12 hours a day, but the more business I brought in, the more money we’d all make. I thought, well, there’s a challenge and joined them! I was able to utilize a lot of my LTL contact from Preston Trucking and transitioned that to the truckload business. I was with them for about 15 years until the owners decided to retire and then my husband told me about a company he had heard of, Trinity Logistics, and I called them. I talked to Billy Banning, who was willing to take me and my customers on and it’s been great. I’ve only grown from there!

Jen: What was different about joining Trinity from your previous company?

Lyn: Well, it was funny because everything I had done with my previous company was through phone and fax. When I came to Trinity with their online system and all of their resources, my head just exploded! Before all I did was find the business and then the office manager moved the shipments. There was very little communication and I never knew when shipments were delivered! When I think about how we operated for those 15 years, it was much less professional than here at Trinity. I was so happy to come. Here and take o ownership of the entire job – sales and operations. I talk to dispatchers and drivers, track the shipments, and tell my customers exactly when their freight has been safely delivered. That constant communication builds trust with the customers and prevents problems.

Jen: So, did you always want to go into logistics? Was that always the plan?

Lyn: When I was in school, I had no idea that I would go into logistics. One of the required classes for Business Administration was a transportation class. I walked into this auditorium of 500 noisy people. The professor walked up to the microphone and started talking. Every eye in that auditorium turned to him and you could have heard a pin drop. That man was one of the most dynamic speakers that I have ever heard in my life. He took some of the driest material and made it extremely interesting. He taught us how to look up pricing using complicated tariff matrices. It was dry, but he made it fun. He was interested in what he taught and made it interesting for us. I ended up signing up for another class he taught, then another, and another, and ended up majoring in Transportation and Logistics because of this professor. At that time, Penn State was one of only a handful of schools that even offered that degree. It was brand new. I always wanted to send him a letter after I graduated telling him that he changed the course of my life with just how dynamic and enthusiastic he was about what he taught. 

Jen: You have worked as an employee for a transportation company and now as an Independent Freight Agent? What do you like, or don’t like, about being an Independent Freight Agent?

Lyn: Sometimes you can miss being around other people and sharing experiences when you work on your own. But there is nothing like not having interruptions when you are busy. You can get things done! I like being available 24/7 to my customers and carriers, they always have access to me. Coming from a company where I was only involved in sales, I prefer having control over both sales and operations.

Jen: How do you manage your business knowing that things can be very cyclical – even COVID aside – it can seem like all or nothing some days and hard to keep things consistent. How do you manage that with your customers?

Lyn: Well, pricing certainly has been cyclical over the past eight months. I’m lucky that most of the customers I have are not terribly price-sensitive. They understand when rates go up and hopefully come back down. I keep them informed about what’s going on and they understand.

Jen: Has it always been that way? That sounds like a relationship that is gained over time.

Lyn: I have worked with most of my customers for a long time. I give them dedicated service and I’m honest with them about rate trends, both up and down. Trust has been built up and they don’t shop around. That’s the only way I’ve been successful. Over the years there have been customers that I couldn’t offer competitive pricing to and they have matriculated away. But service and trust are the biggest factors with the customers that I work with.

Jen: What would you say is your favorite thing about working in this industry? Working with Trinity?

Lyn: I’d have to say the positivity of both. It’s absolutely rewarding to talk with my customers, Trinity Team members, and to talk with drivers because I always have a good time. I’m really glad when drivers pick up my shipments. I’m really glad when they call me for check calls and delivery. I tell them how awesome they are and it’s contagious. When I talk with my customers, I thank them for their shipments. Even if they are only giving me one or two shipments a week, I tell them how much I appreciate them. Then when they call me, they are in that same mood – just that same generous, hopeful, and positive spirit. All, okay, most of my customers are really fun to work with and I think they appreciate that they can call me on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and get a truck within an hour. I would definitely say that the positivity is my favorite part. I don’t have a bad day. 

Jen: What does a typical day look like for you in business?

Lyn: There are no typical days. Some are slow and some days are so busy that I don’t leave my desk at all until 8:00 at night. Probably the hardest part of the job is having no idea what tomorrow is going to look like, so it’s hard to plan. Can I relax or am I going to be glued to my desk? It’s a tough question to answer.

Jen: If you weren’t a Freight Agent, what would you be?

Lyn: I don’t really know. I like to think that I’d be teaching somewhere.

Jen: And from what I know about you Lyn, you would be that professor to change someone’s life!

Interested in becoming an Authorized Freight Agent with Trinity?

Are you an independent freight agent? Get ahead of the game. Request For Pricing (RFP) season is fast approaching. Imagine if you had a dedicated team that worked to give you in-depth pricing analysis and guidance when submitting long-term pricing.Trinity’s Pricing and Procurement Team does all of this. You have 100 lanes? 1,000 lanes? No problem. Our Team can do the heavy lifting that can come with any RFP.

We know that capacity will continue to be challenging in 2021. How do you combat this, come out on top, and thrive? Carriers have trusted Trinity for over 40 years because of our people-centric approach, transparency, strong brand recognition, and reputation. In today’s freight business you must have cutting edge tools that give you instant access to in-house and external carrier networks. Trinity Logistics does this and more.

In this industry we realize the importance of speed, urgency, and efficiency in your business. It is imperative that you are getting what you need in the time that you need it, right? That is why we have streamlined the new carrier and new customer credit processes to ensure your business continues to move forward. Waiting hours or days for an approval can severely diminish, if not completely eliminate, the opportunity for you to land a new customer or foster a new carrier relationship. The last thing that you want to hear is, “Sorry, we could not wait to hear back from you and went with another offer”.  

At Trinity Logistics, we have in-house experts that will guide you through new service offerings and opportunities for your business to be able to grow. You will have access to Trinity’s operational support teams to handle LTL, Intermodal, Expedited, Air, and other non-traditional freight modes to further enhance your abilities with your customers.  Putting you in a position to be a trusted advisor to your customer is our focus. This can open up an entirely new stream of income for your business.  

At Trinity Logistics our operational support takes a personal approach to your success.  We are determined to help you build a business that not only is predictable but can be duplicated over and over again. We are vested in your success and get to know your business inside and out through our dedicated Agent Support Team. If you are open to seeing an impact to your bottom line in 2021, don’t wait, connect with us now.

Author: Rich Clark

By definition, logistics is the management of the transportation of materials or equipment from where they are to where they need to be. For everyone, materials or equipment need to arrive on time and with no damage, and this lies especially true for those coordinating construction projects. Construction sites require heavy-duty and valuable equipment and materials that must be delivered on schedule. The absence of a logistics plan and tracking for your freight to your construction sites can lead to several problems. Here are some reasons why you don’t want your logistics in construction projects to be an afterthought. 

BEHIND SCHEDULE

It only takes one delayed shipment for a construction project to cause the schedule to fall behind days, weeks, or even months. According to the Electrical Contractor, in 2017, 61 percent of construction projects were shown to be behind schedule. Obviously, this is a big problem in the industry. Even worse, being behind schedule raises costs. Over half of those 61 percent of construction projects that were behind schedule were also over budget. 

EXTRA COSTS

When materials or needed equipment aren’t delivered on time and on-site when the crew members are scheduled, then they are sitting ducks with nothing to do. Since scheduled, they will still need to be paid for those days that they are on-site, whether they are working or not. Additionally, you’ll have to pay them for any extra days that they will need to complete their work, which may come with extra costs due to pushing back their work schedule. When the material or equipment needed is not on the job, you’re simply not making money. 

You’ll also need to consider theft. According to the National Crime Information Center, nearly 1,000 pieces of commercial construction equipment are reported stolen each month. Thieves often target valuable construction equipment like bulldozers, forklifts, or generators, and even materials with a high resale value. Theft can be costly as you not only have to replace the stolen equipment but face the possibility of increased insurance costs due to the claim. 

Choosing a provider to support your logistics in construction projects can give you the potential to avoid, or at least be better prepared should something happen. 

REDUCED TRUST

The worst issue caused by improper logistics planning is reduced trust in your customers and partners. Falling behind on schedule and incurring extra costs that have to go somewhere makes you seem less reliable. You could lose customers and gain a poor reputation. Nobody wants that for their business. 

BE BETTER THAN THE REST

Having effective transportation and logistics in construction projects ensures that your materials and equipment will be delivered on time, keep you on budget, and keep your reputation among customers. Yet, becoming effective with your logistics can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider partnering with a third-party logistics company (3PL) to help you can gain a competitive advantage by better managing your logistics. 

CONSIDER A 3PL TO HELP WITH LOGISTICS IN CONSTRUCTION

Focus on what you do best and let a 3PL do the rest. Working with a 3PL can eliminate the headache of handling your logistics in construction projects by offering you access to :

A VAST CARRIER NETWORK

You need experienced, qualified carriers, and 3PLs, such as Trinity, to have those much-needed relationships with them. A 3PLs service is to both shippers and carriers, allowing us to build solid relationships with carriers all over. Each motor carrier is vetted through our Compliance Team, so you’ll never have to stress over your freight arriving on time and safely.

MANY MODES

Since we work with so many carriers, we have access to many modes of transportation. Whether you need air, ocean, rail, truckload, or anything else, you’ll no longer have to work with several companies for your logistics needs. 

AUTOMATED PROCESSES

Whether you choose to outsource your freight transportation or all your logistics, you’ll see efficiency in the automation we offer. From carrier vetting, freight tracking, invoicing, and more, you can reduce your time on many manual logistics processes.

ACCESS TECHNOLOGY

No need to pay for (costly) technology when you can gain access to state-of-the-art technology when working with a 3PL. At Trinity, we offer tracking through FourKites, MacroPoint, Trucker Tools. View all your shipments and their statuses, pay your invoices online, or request a quote on a new shipment in our Customer Portal. Or work with our Managed Services team and see if a TMS solution is what you need.

GAIN MORE CONTROL OVER YOUR LOGISTICS COSTS

Through all the benefits mentioned above, you gain control over your logistics costs. When working with Trinity, you’ll have an expert on your side to help you make informed decisions so you can choose what works best for you and your budget.

KEEP YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON TRACK

The main benefit you gain from using a 3PL for your logistics in construction projects is that it helps you simplify your challenges and find your own customized solutions. 3PLs, like Trinity, work with complex situations and variations frequently, and better yet, we thrive in them. In construction, we know your supply chain is always changing. When you choose to streamline your logistics, you can lower your costs and know your construction project will be completed on time. 

Trinity has supported construction and manufacturing companies of all sizes. We’ve aided in logistics projects like office buildings, roadways, housing developments, and more. We know that in your industry you need your materials and equipment exactly when and where you need them. Let Trinity help keep your construction project on track. 

The manufacturing industry faces several challenges with their logistics. Laws and regulations in the manufacturing industry are always fluctuating. Some companies’ inventory management is not as advanced as it needs to be. An experienced third-party logistics company (3PL) that has strengths in logistics for the manufacturing industry can help you overcome these obstacles.

Leave Logistics to the Experts

Partnering with a 3PL to take care of your supply chain needs can lift weight off your shoulders. There are many moving parts in the manufacturing supply chain and each part is very specific. Choosing to outsource tasks will benefit your company in the long run. With the help of a 3PL, you’ll be able to focus more on getting your product on shelves rather than the logistic components.

Customers tend to get frustrated when the product they want is out of stock. To help with this scarcity problem, a 3PL works diligently to procure your goods quickly. Your products will be cared for like they are our own and will be transported as smoothly as possible.

Delivering freight for the manufacturing industry requires strong communication. A 3PL will keep in contact with you throughout your freight’s journey to its destination and even after its been delivered. They also maintain strong communication with the carrier to ensure your freight is delivered carefully.

Partnering with a 3PL means there is no need for your company to own a warehouse or transport facilities. They can provide warehousing requirements so that your company doesn’t have to invest in your own physical location. When outsourcing your warehousing, it gives you the opportunity to have goods stored closer to your customer, reducing the time and distance it takes to keep them stocked with your products.

Reduce Your Costs

Manufacturers need to stay on track with their expenses in order to be successful. Hiring and training skilled workers is necessary for strong business operations. We want to be an extension of your team so that your skilled workers can do what they do best and we can lend a hand by doing what we do best.

Managing invoices from motor carriers can be daunting. Outsourcing with a 3PL can limit that time commitment. When being billed for your freight shipment, the 3PL provider will receive the invoice first and will audit each invoice before sending it over to your company. This can free up time in your accounting department so that they’re able to focus on core operations.

Outsourcing your warehousing can also help you save money. With a 3PL you’re able to scale how much warehouse space you need depending on your busier months. If it’s a slower season, you can typically negotiate with your 3PL provider to scale back on warehouse usage. At Trinity Logistics, we’ll help you respond quickly to fluctuating environments in your industry such as volume peaks or uneven demand. Communicating with your third-party logistics company about any unutilized space in the warehouse will help you reduce costs.

You can also reduce your transportation spend. 3PLs can secure favorable rates in transportation because of the strong relationships built with their vetted carriers. They can negotiate shipping rates based on your freight’s volume in order to help your company save money, offer you a cheaper mode to use, and eliminate the time you would spend searching for optimal rates.

No one wants to accrue unnecessary expenses in their business. As a company in the manufacturing industry, you should look into a reliable 3PL that can help cut down on additional spending so that you can focus on your core operations and getting your product to the customer.

Improve Quality and Customer Service

3PL’s, like Trinity Logistics, treat your freight like it’s our own. Whatever your company needs, we will offer the flexibility needed to get the job done. We understand there is a sense of urgency when transporting freight in the manufacturing industry. A 3PL with an experienced and expansive carrier network is able to provide the very best service and carrier to move your freight. A vetted carrier that is knowledgeable in your freight will ensure that it arrives to its destination safely.

Trinity Logistics motto is people-centric freight solutions®. This statement holds true when it comes to working with our customers. We build strong relationships with our customers so that we can better understand their freight and ensure timely and effective end-to-end supply chain solutions.

Eliminate Manual Services

Do you feel like you’re lacking with technological support in your manufacturing company? Manual data entry takes time away from core business processes and some manufacturing companies may not have the advanced technology needed in their supply chain. With Trinity, you can manage your entire supply chain with the use of our Transportation Management System (TMS). With this innovative technology, the mundane work of tracking, reporting, and invoices will become a thing of the past.

Utilizing a TMS allows you to customize tracking notifications on all freight you ship with us. While you can trust us with your shipments, this tracking system gives you piece of mind that your freight is being transported properly. Our TMS will notify you where your freight is in its journey and when it’s expected to arrive, as well as send a confirmation when its delivered.

Reporting requires a lot of visibility and time. With a TMS, you won’t have to worry anymore. Information like freight analysis, lane analysis, freight spend, expectation management, and carrier performance will all be provided to you. Take the guesswork out of your logistics and finally tap into some tangible data so your company can drive business forward.

Partnering with a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics can help you build relationships with experts in your industry, reduce logistics costs, improve customer service, and eliminate manual services. Outsourcing on these specific tasks throughout your supply chain can help your manufacturing business increase productivity and focus on what matters most; your core business processes.

Interested in how Trinity can help in your manufacturing supply chain?

Living on the road as a truck driver is a difficult job but living on the road as a broke truck driver is even harder. Having self-discipline to watch your spending isn’t as easy as it sounds. Lucky for you, we’ve gathered five tips on how to save money while on the road.

Plan Ahead

Make life on the road simpler and cheaper by planning ahead. If you are preparing for a longer trip, stock up on supplies that you think you’ll want before hitting the road. Bring non-perishable groceries and pack your toiletries and electronics beforehand to save money. You don’t want to spend unnecessary money, so even packing your own toothbrush and floss rather than purchasing it at the rest stop store will save you something. Truck stop prices can sometimes be high, causing you to spend unnecessary dough. Save money by organizing before you begin your trip and only bring the necessities with you.

When it comes to planning ahead, meal prepping can be another great tip on how to save money while on the road. According to an article in CDL Life, bringing your own food on the road can save you roughly $1,500 a year alone! Even making your coffee at home instead of buying out every day can save you roughly $2,000 a year. Preparing your meals ahead of time will save you from extra spending, plus it’s a healthier alternative to eating fast food for every meal. Below are lists of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack ideas that you can prep before hitting the road.

Breakfast ideas:

• Egg frittatas
• Protein bars
• Fruit salad
• Blueberry muffins

Lunch ideas:

• Peanut butter and jelly or deli meat sandwiches
• Soup
• Salad
• Pre-made smoothie bags (just add milk and ice and blend in a blender)

Dinner ideas:

• Grilled chicken and rice
• Meatloaf
• Grilled salmon with veggies
• Home-made pizza

Snack ideas:

• Hardboiled eggs
• Veggies and hummus
• Fruit
• Almonds
• Beef jerky

For more tips, ideas, and recipes on meal prepping, click right here.

Create a Budget

Creating a budget for yourself will help you be more aware of how to save money. Write out a weekly or monthly budget with what you plan to spend on necessities like food, bills, etc. Add a section for unplanned expenses with a fixed amount so that you don’t go over budget. This can be your rainy-day fund for any unexpected expenses that may occur. Utilizing mobile apps can be a great way to budget and stay on top of your expenses. Mint® is a budget management app that tracks user spending. Mint® categorizes your transactions, tracks your bills, alerts you when you’ve exceeded maximum spending, and even provides free credit score monitoring. Many truck drivers utilize this app to keep track of their finances while traveling.

Along with budgeting, it can also be beneficial for you to keep a daily expense log for your finances. Add up how much money you spend every day to help you be more conscious of your spending habits and what you’re spending your money on. You’d be surprised at where your money goes.

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!

            Maintaining the safety of your truck can save you so much money. Before you hit the road, check all the nuts and bolts on the vehicle to make sure everything is running properly. Be proactive by getting frequent oil changes or filling up your tires with air. Running into a mechanical problem is frustrating, inconvenient, and can put you behind schedule. If you do happen to run into a problem, contact fellow truckers or other colleagues in the industry to see if they can recommend local mechanics in that area who can help.

CDL Discounts

            You’d be surprised at how many discounts you can receive while on the road. Many hotels and restaurants provide discounted prices and according to Transport Topics, Cracker Barrel offers free coffee and fountain drinks to truck drivers. Drivers can also receive a 25 percent discount at Papa Johns, free coffee at Starbucks, and 15 percent off online orders at Denny’s. Rewards cards and loyalty programs are also offered at select truck stops. Some CDL discounts can even help you save money on fuel, coffee, showering, etc. At Trinity Logistics, we offer a discount program to our carriers that is free to join and gives drivers access to industry-wide fleet savings. Want to learn more about this program? Click here.

            There are several mobile apps on the market that offer ways for you to save money. GasBuddy offers a database of over 150,000 fuel stations that you can utilize to find the cheapest prices. GasBuddy also offers free gas coupons if you use your GasBuddy app or card to pay at Walmart, Amazon, and other big name retailers. Love’s Connect is also a free app used to redeem points and rewards. When you  fuel up at any of Love’s travel stops you will earn points for refueling. These points can be used to redeem free shop items or free showers. Taking advantage of these apps and the rewards systems can help you save money.

Take Advantage of Free WIFI

            Data usage can add up when traveling long distances. While unlimited data is an option, many people still have set data plans that charge you over usage fees when you go over the limit. This is why you as a truck driver need to utilize places with free WIFI any chance they get. Free WIFI is at almost every establishment these days, so simply ask if the place that you’re at has this option. The worst they could do is say no!

            Life on the road can definitely challenge your willpower to spend. Being mindful of your spending and making use of these tips and resources can help. We hope this article gave you some ideas and that you save some money while traveling on the job.

Do you have your own MC/DOT? Looking to see why you should be a part of Trinity’s carrier network?

No authority of your own? Check out our parent company, Burris Logistics, for available driver positions.

We depend on the energy supply chain so that our everyday lives can run smoothly. We need energy to heat and cool our homes, light our office buildings, move freight, and more. As the world continues to combat climate change, renewable energy is quickly growing as an energy source for our daily lives.

Every industry has its own set of challenges, and the renewable energy sector is no different. Detail shipping arrangements, safety, and visibility can all be challenging elements of renewable energy shipments. A third-party logistics company (3PL) can help find solutions to your shipping problems so you can make sure your freight is successfully delivered.

An Eye for Detail

Solar energy in the U.S. is booming. In just the last decade, solar has had an average annual growth rate of 49 percent! As sales continue to increase, so does the amount of freight shipments. The shipment of solar panels, or renewable elements in general, requires an eye for detail and prior knowledge on how to handle them. Renewable energy freight needs specific packaging and proper handling to protect them from damage and shipping hazards.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a widely accepted manual pertaining to the handling of photovoltaics (another term for solar or PV) panels. This is because there are many PV manufacturers in the renewable energy industry that create all types of panels, and all need to be handled differently.

Since there is no standardized manual, choosing a 3PL with knowledge and experience on arranging renewable energy shipments is crucial. Due to their fragile nature, solar freight can be expensive to ship. You’re going to want a team that knows your industry, has an extensive carrier network that will safely deliver your freight, and pays attention to detail.

Safety First

Safety is a top priority when shipping renewable energy. Freight such as hydroelectric turbine blades or wind turbines requires special care. With the over-dimensional nature of turbines, an expert that specializes in heavy haul shipments is imperative.

Looking for an extensive guide to keep on hand for your over-dimensional shipping? Check out our Over-Dimensional Shipping guide here.

Majority of the accidents that occur when shipping wind energy or hydrodynamic power is a result of human error. Shipping this specific freight requires experience and education. Choosing to work with a 3PL helps you put safety and compliance first and finds ways to safely reduce costs.

Increasing Visibility

The renewable energy industry can be complex and time sensitive. Multi-process operations require a lot of data storage and memory. Increasing visibility in the energy supply chain will provide aid for these challenges. One way to gain visibility in your supply chain is through a Transportation Management System (TMS). Any shipment tracking, consolidation tools, or business intelligence for reporting is all available at the shipper’s fingertips. Partnering with a 3PL with an advanced TMS can help give complete visibility into analytics and reporting. By providing the technology needed to best manage your supply chain processes all while offering expertise in arranging shipments in the renewable energy industry, Trinity Logistics has the resources to make your shipping challenges a bit easier to manage.

Shipping renewable energy is a whole other ball game. Attention to detail, safety, and visibility are required for everything to move efficiently through the supply chain. Make the choice to outsource to a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics, who understands your unique challenges and how to face them.

Learn more about how Trinity can handle your renewable energy freight safely and efficiently.

Author: Victoria Dalton

Onshoring, nearshoring, reshoring – these are terms that we keep hearing in growing popularity lately. Even before Covid-19, many companies have considered onshoring their operations due to concerns about quality and supply chain disruptions. Political tensions and rising tariffs also triggered the growing considerations. 

When Covid-19 hit, it led to sky-high air and ocean freight rates. Any companies with operations in China saw their productions come to a halt. Offshoring your operations has never been riskier. You never know what could happen in another region and how that could affect your operations if offshored. So, the question is, should you be onshoring your operations?

A BRIEF LOOK BACK

Before the 1980’s manufacturing had a large presence in the United States. Technology improved communication and global transportation, so companies saw the opportunity to save on costs by offshoring their operations outside the United States. Offshoring grew and became the norm, until recently. Onshoring has become popular again due to politics, rising labor costs, and increased demand for higher quality products.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Onshoring, nearshoring, or reshoring; it all refers to the overall practice of moving manufacturing operations from foreign soil back to the United States. It may also refer to the practice of outsourcing to domestic contract manufacturers rather than overseas. Nearshoring can also refer to the moving manufacturing to outside the United States, but not across ocean waters. An example of nearshoring would be having operations moved to Mexico.

Offshoring involves outsourcing manufacturing assets far outside of the primary country of operations. American companies have traditionally offshored manufacturing to Asian or Southeast Asian regions. Offshoring has been used in situations where production, materials, and labor costs outweigh travel complexities and shipping costs. 

ONSHORING VS OFFSHORING WHEN IT COMES TO..

..YOUR CUSTOMERS

Poor customer service can have a huge impact to your company’s success. More than 50% of consumers said they would never do business with a company after just one negative experience. When choosing to onshore your processes, it gives you the benefit of serving and supporting your customers from “home”, which reduces your risk of your customers receiving poor service elsewhere. 

Customers nowadays like to support products made in their own country. They feel that it further benefits the local economy and they feel more confident in a products quality when its been made in the same country. Depending on your customer base, this could give you a huge advantage over your competitors. 

Due to the recent Amazon Effect, customers now expect their products delivered to them in days. Shorter travel times can make that expectation easier to meet. If suppliers are farther away, delivery times can sometimes be uncertain and take longer. Customers also want full transparency on their freight’s travel, and onshoring can make that more successful on your end. 

..YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN

Onshoring can offer you better supply chain management. It allows shorter lead times because companies can operate all within the same time zone (or at least closer to each other than if offshoring). Not to mention other processes that can take time, such as design and approval. All parties in the supply chain can have closer relationships because they won’t have to deal with the challenges of long distances and varying time zones. Nor do you have to worry about the risk of facing language or cultural barriers among locations. Onshoring is becoming very popular for those organizations that need a lot of communication to be successful.

..YOUR COSTS

With rising labor and shipping costs, many find savings are no longer there when it comes to offshoring. Time is money and offshoring can add weeks to delivery times. Shorter distances with onshoring mean reduced (and less complicated) transportation costs. This also means less fuel used, giving you the benefit of being greener (and customers like that). 

As time goes on, overseas economies are further developing, taxing is changing, labor, wages, and shipping costs are all on the rise; all making it less profitable to handle business offshore. Tariffs have risen in recent years, with some commodities up to a 25 percent charge. By choosing to even nearshore your operations rather than offshore, you can avoid those increased costs. 

There’s also the possibility of defected goods arriving to consider when offshoring. Recalled products have been a rising concern. The defect rates of shipments from other countries can be so high at times that entire batches must be inspected upon arrival. The time and expense to do this and rework or scrap products, can wipe out the savings offshoring promised and even exceed your original budget.

THINGS TO ASK WHEN CONSIDERING ONSHORING

Tariffs, customs, duties

• How many fees will you incur in transporting your finished goods to distributors? Could these fees be avoided if goods are produced elsewhere?

Transportation costs

• Transportation can sometimes be your largest expense. You can reduce costs by shortening travel distances or choosing to work with a logistics company, like Trinity Logistics.

Lead times

• How long will it take to get the finished product in hand? Lead times vary depending on how far away production takes place. Make sure to consider design and approval time. This is one part of the process where differences can slow down your production.

Political environments

• What is the political climate like in the region where your goods are produced? No country is immune to civil unrest. What is the political climate like between your primary company’s country and where the products are made? Consider any chance of future supply chain disruption, and those tariffs. 

BEFORE YOU DECIDE..

Before you make your decision on whether to onshore or offshore, make sure to consider all factors. Onshoring may seem like the answer right now, but will it still in the future? If transportation costs and delivery disruptions are your main concern in business, consider looking into outsourcing your logistics with third party-logistics (3PL), like Trinity. Choosing to work with a 3PL can offer you some of the same benefits as onshoring, but with less work on your part. 

Guest Author: Betty White

Environmental concerns are likely on everyone’s mind. Addressing global warming and reducing one’s carbon footprint are now primary concerns for many industries. The logistics industry, in particular, has a unique position in this context.

A brief word on the environment

Before delving deeper into the subject at hand, it is vital that we briefly touch on the current and estimated effects of emissions on the environment. It’s no secret that technological advancements often come at a cost. On the front of expanding industries and supply chains, fossil fuels’ predominant role correlates to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Industrialization has caused the global average temperature to rise by almost 2°F since 1880, according to NASA. 

Likewise, NOAA scientists have observed similar findings in the earth’s atmosphere. They recently detected the highest concentration since their records began in 1958. Scientists and researchers estimate that the average global temperature will increase by another 2.7°F before 2100, with worst-case scenarios suggesting an increase of almost 8°F.

Reducing one’s carbon footprint may not just a noble goal, but an essential one. That does not mean one should not continue to improve logistics, but only that one should entertain greener ideas on how to do so. 

Reducing the carbon footprint of the logistics sector

As logistics are an integral part of supply chains, they affect the global distribution of goods. E-commerce is increasing and customers have higher standards in terms of delivery speed. Yet, it is becoming clear that quick expansion is not sustainable, and each product’s carbon footprint needs to be reduced. Global regulations, such as those issued by the International Maritime Association (IMO), aim to do so.

Reducing carbon footprint in logistics is not without benefits. Many companies report savings after adopting greener courses of action. A commitment to sustainability also raises goodwill with your investors and stakeholders.

#1 Selecting greener suppliers

Selecting greener suppliers should be the first step towards reducing carbon footprint in logistics. The choice of raw materials on suppliers’ end often hinges on material viability towards the end product. It also affects the environment. Extracting and processing raw materials can have massively different carbon footprints. It depends on the materials and processes in question. Their energy consumption, waste, and emissions will vary, and it’s in your best interest to keep track of environmental metrics alongside performance.

#2 Centralizing supply networks

Global supply chains involve big supply networks, which need air or ocean transportation. Such means of transport can largely contribute to GHG emissions. Consolidating your supply networks across shorter distances can be one way to reduce your chain’s carbon footprint.

#3 Choosing greener means of transportation

It is vital to note that some means of transportation are less environmentally friendly than others. For example, ocean transportation is a notable contributor to global sulfur emissions. Or road transportation, which produces more emissions than rail transportation. Switching to greener means of transport across your supply chain can help reduce your carbon footprint.

#4 Optimizing energy consumption and waste production

It is a must to speak to energy consumption and waste production. One consumes energy and produces waste across all stages of a supply chain. From the refinement of raw materials to your warehouse management, you can strive to reduce both. Consider the following examples:

• Individual employee energy consumption
• Truck and forklift usage
• Handling and packaging
• Paperwork

To address the above, you might take individual measures. You may train employees to consume energy more efficiently, such as minimizing forklift use when possible. You can reduce double handling, reduce packaging, or recycle more. Finally, you can try to minimize paperwork and produce less waste.

#5 Recycle, reuse, repair

The measures we can take as individuals to reduce carbon footprint also apply across industries and supply chains. Especially given the recent effects of COVID-19, it may be time to consider greener practices as we recover and restructure operations.

Consider the following industry-specific examples:

The moving industry produces some GHG emissions by definition. In these challenging times, moving businesses are all too eager to see you get all the help you need with relocation. They also turn to greener practices as they restructure; from warehouse management practices to recycling packages.

Similarly, the cell phone industry sees many phones damaged within the first few weeks of purchase. As such, some businesses now provide incentives to recycle old devices, reduce the cost of repairs, or expand warranties. Some such changes may be harder to incorporate into one’s logistics operations, but they yield the benefits mentioned above. Depending on your industry’s unique needs, you may strive to strengthen your reverse logistics and repair operations and intensify your recycling efforts.

Conclusion

In light of the statistics mentioned above, it seems highly unlikely that we can afford to continue down a “business-as-usual” path. International laws and regulations continue to strive for greener alternatives as well, making the change to a more environmentally conscious business landscape a potential legal imperative, not merely an ethical one. However, this article hopefully demonstrated that future-proofing in this regard is both a viable and a potentially lucrative endeavor, in logistics or otherwise. 

Looking for a provider that can help you find ways to reduce your carbon footprint in logistics?