Picture what it was to be a 3PL (third-party logistics company) 30 years ago. Filing cabinets were full of paper documents. Fax machines, handwritten documents, and corded phones were the way of communication. There were no navigational systems, only paper maps.

Thanks to advancements in technology, 3PLs can function without filing cabinets. Now documents can be saved to the cloud and sent in seconds through email. Very few documents are handwritten and employees are highly mobile with the ability to work in office, on the road, or even from home. As great as that all is, even more technology is needed for a 3PL to compete in today’s market.

Technology Improves the Customer Experience

Reducing paper use, being mobile, and wireless, is not enough to keep a 3PL competitive. Customers are looking for more visibility, while carriers are looking for easier and quicker processes to book shipments. There are still many manual processes that are able to be automated with technology, offering a better customer experience. Technology such as digital freight matching and artificial intelligence are some examples of what is now available to 3PLs.

Trinity Logistics looks for ways to improve efficiencies and serve greater support to our customers, carriers, and independent Agents through technology. Over the past few years, we’ve been able to grow our technology and offer our industry audiences many improvements with their experiences.

Trinity Stays on Top of Technology

Trinity’s Technology Team is always growing as we look for ways to stand out and provide excellent service as a modern day 3PL. We have a team of our own software engineers who keep our business applications up-to-date with newer technology.

Are you ready to read about the technology we can offer to support your business?

Tracking and Tracing Options

Trinity offers our customers and carriers their choice of tracking and tracing applications. Currently, we offer FourKites, Trucker Tools, and Macropoint. A carrier downloads one of the apps, giving Trinity the ability to keep track the shipment and offer real-time visibility to our customer. This also helps reduce the check-in calls to the carrier, allowing them to focus on reaching their destination safely.

Quick and Easy Carrier Setups

We have a Carrier Relations Team to ensure Trinity connects with fully vetted and qualified carriers. We have taken what used to be a two hour process down to an average of 20 minutes thanks to integration with My Carrier Packet (MCP). Instead of printed paper packets that had to be filled out, scanned, and emailed or faxed in, My Carrier Packet gives the potential carrier the capability to fill out information online through their website. Thanks to MCP and our Software Engineering Team, the packets and insurance are seamlessly integrated with our Transportation Management System (TMS), making carrier set-ups a breeze.

Up-To-Date Systems

As stated earlier, our Software Engineering Team works hard to continue improving our systems. Our TMS was updated which made our carrier module more user friendly and offered the capability of housing more vital information, making it easy to link up to services like My Carrier Packet. The new carrier module also offered our Team Members a capacity and history tool to help continue building relationships with carriers who have hauled with us before.

Managed Transportation Technology Solutions

Geared toward our shippers, we offer Transportation Management Systems (TMS). A TMS gives you more visibility into your supply chain, reduces your costs, and improves performance. Choosing to house all your transportation management needs in one place and having access to a Team of logistics experts through Trinity’s Managed Services can help increase efficiencies.

Banyan for LTL

Instead of manual processes you can utilize our easy-to-use system to manage your LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments fast and more efficiently. When choosing to work with Trinity for your LTL shipments, you get the use of Banyan Technology at no extra cost to you. You are trained and given a login and password and gain exclusive access to Banyan’s Live Lane Specials and Ground Freight Pricing.

With one of Trinity’s guiding values being continuous improvement, we look for new ways to improve and better serve our industry audiences. Right now, as you are reading this article, our Technology Team is working to improve your experience. Don’t just choose to work with a company that arranges the shipment of your freight; choose to work with a company that serves you the data you need and the experience you deserve.

AUTHOR: Christine Griffith

These days consumers are searching for food items in stores that come from all across the world. To keep products fresh, on shelves, and at peak quality, there needs to be good communication among food and beverage supply chain partners.

Food & Beverage Challenges

Unlike other industries, the food and beverage industry face unique challenges with their shipping, such as;

• Deliveries needed before expiration dates
• items needing temperature-control,
• and items needing extra-careful handling

These are just some obstacles you have to face when shipping food products. These challenges closely connect the food manufacturing industry with logistics and transportation partners.

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

Logistics & Transportation Partners

With freight transportation, communication begins right from the start. Not all freight travels the same, so setting expectations is the best way to get started. Additionally, having a partner who understands the challenges of shipping your products will prove to be beneficial. Due to this, many food and beverage companies choose to outsource their logistics with a third-party logistics company (3PL).

3PLs have experience quickly solving complex freight solutions every day. You can feel relief when working with a 3PL to arrange your freight transportation. 3PLs have a vetted carrier network with experience in transporting food products and many modes to offer you shipping solutions. You can gain the use of their cutting-edge technology to track your freight.

Sometimes you can experience trouble with communication when outsourcing work to a third party. But you can feel confident when choosing to work with Trinity Logistics. You are kept in the know thanks to the communication processes and technology we have in place.

How Trinity Communicates

When you choose Trinity Logistics, you will work with an Account Representative you can trust as your daily point of contact. They quickly communicate your shipping options, the carrier(s) selected, and provide any solutions to problems that may arise throughout your shipment.

You get to choose from several options for tracing on your shipment, including FourKites, MacroPoint, or Trucker Tools. Your Account Representative keeps an open line of communication with access to our portal, emails, or phone calls to give you real-time visibility of your shipment’s whereabouts and estimated delivery time. You are never left in the dark and unsure of where your product is.

Just as a lack of communication can be a problem, in certain cases so can over-communication. Through the use of these applications, we can relieve the calling, emailing, and texting our carriers. This keeps them safe and focused on the goal at hand: delivering your product on time.

Sometimes you need solutions to problems outside of the typical 9-5 workday. No need to worry. You have access to Trinity’s 24/7 Team to accommodate your needs at any time of the day or night.

All Around Communication

If you are looking for an all-around solution to your problem of communication in your supply chain, a transportation management system (TMS) could be your answer. A TMS can help act as a communication hub for all partners in your supply chain. You can gain end-to-end visibility by working in one place, rather than across various sources. Looking to learn more about a TMS and its functions? Download our Guide to Transportation Management Systems.

All relationships need open communication to work well. That is no different for supply chain partners in food and beverage. Each partner in the supply chain should keep in communication as needed to provide full visibility and keep everyone in the loop. This can prevent damaged product, recalls, extra costs, and frustration. You don’t need to worry about communication issues when choosing Trinity Logistics as a partner in your supply chain. We are more than just a 3PL for shipping, but a 3PL for data and communication.

AUTHOR: Christine Griffith

If you move your freight through LTL (less-than-truckload) carriers, sooner or later you’ll hear the term General Rate Increases or GRI’s pop up. What is it and how can you reduce your impact from them?

What is a GRI?

GRI’s are the average amount that an LTL motor carrier will increase their base shipping rates. GRI’s have zero impact on contracted rates, but they give us insight on what to expect during contracted negotiations.

Typically, GRI’s only happen once a year. As of March 2020, industry leaders like FedEx, UPS, and Old Dominion have already announced and published their increases, which ranged from 4-6 percent. The rate increases assure that carriers continue to operate efficiently and maintain profitability. They happen for many reasons such as:

Offsetting Carrier Costs

GRI’s are meant to offset any predicted increases that carriers may incur. Increases in carrier costs this year were caused by technology upgrades, increases in regulatory compliance, and rising fuel costs.

Increased Competition for Drivers

Attracting new drivers and keeping current ones is still a hot topic for carrier companies. Keeping up with demand means offering carriers better pay and benefits. These includes things like higher driver wages, better sign-on packages, better health insurance, and 401Ks to stay competitive in the industry. Those costs work their way to shippers through General Rate Increases.

Equipment Costs

The need for companies to invest in new technology, manage and update their fleet, and brick-and-mortar costs can cause an increase in their rates.

Reducing Your GRI Impact

Shippers can often predict and plan in a General Rate Increase but working with a third-party logistics company like Trinity Logistics can help reduce your impact from GRI’s altogether.

3PLs are less impacted by GRI’s. You can count on our experience negotiating with carriers, buying power, and our LTL relationships keeping the impact of GRI’s to your company to a minimum.

Choose to ease the headaches of GRI’s and begin working with Trinity Logistics today.

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Hemp transportation is one commodity that we see growing fast nowadays. We see it in foods, lotions, clothing, and more. But it wasn’t always that way. Hemp has been in and out of the market going back to World War II.

“Hemp for Victory!”

That was the name of a U.S. Department of Agriculture program to encourage farmers to grow hemp during WWII. Rope, cloth, and other supplies were in high demand to support the war effort. The sources of industrial fiber that were often used for those goods were located in countries occupied by enemy forces. The program went as far as offering draft deferments to those who would stay home and grow hemp to help meet demands of those supplies. Additionally, in the 1600’s, property owners were required to grow hemp. There are even some historians that claim America’s first flags were made of hemp cloth.  So, why does it seem like hemp is such a new product today?

Hemp In History

Hemp and marijuana are varieties of cannabis that developed due to selective breeding. Hemp for its fiber and marijuana for its narcotic components. While the two look and smell-alike, they are chemically and structurally different.

During the Great Depression, the use of illegal marijuana skyrocketed. There was fear about the effects, and a national propaganda campaign against the “evil weed” was launched. Although they are very different, hemp and marijuana were lumped together. In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act was issued, regulating all cannabis, including industrial hemp.

As years went on, states began to research the benefits of hemp and started legalizing the production of industrial hemp. Such benefits include health, agricultural, and retail benefits. As this began to gain traction, there were more states that saw the opportunity hemp could bring. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances and made hemp production (and transportation of it) legal.  

Hemp In Transportation

What does that mean for the transportation industry? Opportunity. According to the Hemp Business Journal, the industry produced at least $820 million in revenues during 2017. Growth to over $1 billion happened in 2018, and is expected to increase year over year.

There are an estimated 25,000 products that can be made from hemp. Hemp can be used to make paper, building materials, industrial lubricants, and more. There is untapped potential available in shipping a commodity that has medical benefits, as well as benefits to the environment and economy. The opportunities in hemp are continuously being discovered and more advancements are being made daily. For example, an energy storage device made from leftover hemp was developed. This device stores less energy than batteries, but are great for things that need a fast burst of energy. Imagine charging your iPhone in minutes and having hours of talk time.

In the age of technology and the “Amazon” effect, how neat is it to be able to take a step back in time, see the re-emergence of a raw material that has been around for hundreds of years, and merge it with the modern world!

Just as hemp fiber has been long valued for its strength and versatility, Trinity Logistics has those same qualities in how we do business and what the future holds. I, myself, am excited about the future of hemp transportation and its endless possibilities. Are you looking for a partner to help build your business and stay on top of this ever changing and growing market? If so, we’d love to start building a relationship with you.

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AUTHOR: Allison Coons

It is undeniable that consumers are seeking healthier, protein-dense foods, which is leading them to purchase more seafood. With trending diets, including Keto’s low carb, high fat fare, seafood is a popular choice for your consumers to get their protein intake. Seafood has many nutritional benefits to offer consumers. It’s high in heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins. It is also low in saturated fat and an ideal source of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. However, seafood is considered an easily perishable commodity, due to its ease of arriving bruised, thawed or spoiled. To keep your customers and consumers happy, you have a high concern for shipping seafood safely. How can you make sure you are doing all you can to get your seafood to where it needs to go, claim-free?

Your Part: The Packaging

Part 1 in shipping seafood safely is in the packaging. Seafood is often fresh or frozen and needs to stay at certain temperatures to keep it from spoiling. It is important to know the time to ship the products and package them to keep the required temperature. Having the correct packaging can provide enough protection and refrigeration to maintain the correct temperature environment.

Styrofoam coolers, placed inside a corrugated cardboard box are best for keeping temperatures maintained. Including insulated liners can help catch any water runoff from melting ice packs before the water can damage the outer packaging. Ice, dry ice, or gel packs are often your best options for keeping the product cool. However, keep in mind, there are certain regulations in place for shipping with dry ice. Also, if you decide to go with dry ice, do not place in an airtight container. Dry ice will release carbon dioxide, causing pressure to build up and your package to explode. While coolants help keep your product cold when shipping, be careful of the proximity as they can also damage your product if they come into contact.

Our Part: Arranging Transport

It’s important that the carrier hauling your seafood is knowledgeable in the temperature requirements and handling of your product. With our huge network of carriers and relationships, we can help you select a carrier with experience, transporting your seafood safely and timely.

Sometimes with seafood, a full truckload is not always needed. Refrigerated LTL (less-than-truckload), also known as reefer LTL, is an option available to you through Trinity Logistics. Refrigerated LTL is great for shipping smaller quantities of refrigerated products, but can often be harder to arrange, and generally more expensive alone. Thankfully, when partnering with Trinity Logistics and our carrier relationships, you can get your best rate shipping with refrigerated LTL.

Another reason to choose your carriers wisely when shipping seafood is that not all insurance covers it. Sometimes it can be excluded. It can be a lot of work to find a qualified carrier at a good rate, and then find out their insurance doesn’t cover your product. Even worse, finding out after the fact when there is a claim. Trinity can help. We make sure your seafood is covered by using our relationship carriers and contacting their insurance to ensure it is covered. And if it’s not? We cover it by purchasing additional insurance for it. You can feel relieved knowing that no matter what happens, your product is covered.

If you’re looking for an experienced partner to help you ship your seafood product, consider Trinity Logistics. We would love to help you get your fish to your customer’s dinner plates. Connect with us today.

AUTHOR: Christine Griffith

This past year was a tough year for the transportation industry. The tariff wars with China and the trade wars raise the risk of an economic recession. An economic recession would cause issues in the industry worldwide. Some researchers believe that all these issues have already led to an industrial recession. An industrial recession is an economic decline in manufacturing. Recently, there have been increases in trucking company bankruptcies, which has lowered capacity across the country. All these issues combined shows evidence that 2020 could start off as a tough year for both shippers and carriers. And it all starts with our politicians and their policies.

Politicians and Their Policies

Politicians and the policies they create dictate the US economy, effecting all industries. This past year the transportation industry saw effects because of the trade and tariff wars induced by the Trump Administration. With the upcoming election, many media outlets have expressed that President Trump will be forced to make deals regarding the tariff issues with China and the restructuring of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to avoid scrutiny. He claims deals with both are close to being ratified, but only time will tell how successful they are.

Climate Change

It is obvious that climate change will be a major debate topic in this election season. The top three Democratic candidates all discussed the need to combat the slowing of greenhouse gas emissions. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed, but it will have some serious effects on the freight industry. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation generates the highest percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. at 29 percent. It is unclear how this will affect the industrial transportation industry.

While on the topic of climate change, it is also notable to point out the amount of natural disasters is on the rise. From 1980 to 2014 there was an average of 5.4 disasters per year. In the last five years that number has jumped up to 13.8 per year. From California wildfires to hurricanes ravishing the East Coast, these disasters stop shipping operations and raise carrier rates by going into extreme weather conditions.

Takeaways from this post:

• There is a lot of uncertainty in the transportation industry with the current issues in the world economy.
• Deals to end the tariffs effecting our industry are close to being made.
• Climate change is a hot topic and changes to transportation could be coming soon.
• Natural disasters are increasing ever year. Staying up-to-date on potential storms can help prepare your business.

It is important to note that politics and the economy have effects on the transportation industry. The industry is ever changing with new regulations, policies, or capacity issues. Which is why it’s important to work with a partner who stays up-to-date and helps educate their customers. Trinity Logistics is a member of many industry associations, including EPA’s SmartWay program, and attends conferences to stay educated on industry trends and changes.

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If you’ve never worked with a 3PL (third party logistics) company, you might not know how to go about selecting a reputable provider for you and your freight. There are many factors you should consider when making this important decision.

To help avoid the possible problems that can arise from using a 3PL, there are important things you should consider before partnering with one. To ensure you’re getting competitive rates while still working with a top 3PL, take into account these factors:

1. Who are you really entrusting your freight to?

Don’t pass off your precious cargo to just anyone. Top 3PL’s are only as trustworthy as their carrier network. You should ask if your 3PL has a carrier compliance management system in place. Check to see that they’re monitoring their carriers’ safety ratings and insurance. A top-notch provider will thoroughly vet the carriers they’re working with, while other companies might just offer your freight to the first carrier who raises their hand.

Trinity Logistics has a whole team dedicated to vetting and monitoring our carriers. Currently we have a carrier network of 70,000 and counting.

2. Do they have years of industry experience, or are they the new kid on the block?

 It’s better to work with a company that’s been around long enough to know all the ins and outs of the industry. A best practice would be to look for a company with more than a year or two of experience, that also has a positive reputation. If they have a reputation for freight going missing or shady business practices, chances are, those rumors have some truth behind them. Be sure to do your research.

Trinity Logistics is currently celebrating 40 years in business. We are named 18 out of 100 on Transport Topics’ Top Freight Brokerage List for 2019. Not to mention, being a part of the Burris Logistics family, with their 95 years of experience to help bring total end-to-end supply chain solutions to our customers.

3. Is your 3PL financially stable?  

Working with a 3PL that isn’t financially healthy could prove to be disastrous. A company that is unstable might not be paying their carriers on time, which could mean less reliable carriers are handling your freight. Additionally, entrusting your shipments to a company that could be closing its doors next week would negatively impact your business’ bottom line. A top 3PL should be able to provide you with an honest picture of their financial situation.

Trinity Logistics has the credentials to prove our financial health is in check. We are P3 Performance Certified up to $250,000 by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA).

4. Do they have a claims management department to offer negotiation on your behalf?

No one likes to think about things potentially going south when it comes to shipping freight. The truth of the matter is that it can happen, even if you’re working with the best 3PL out there. That’s why it’s important to consider how the 3PL handles those issues as they arise. A 3PL that has a claims team who will act on your behalf to negotiate your freight claims with carriers offers a valuable service that could save your business money in the long run.

We have a highly qualified Team to manage all of our claims. They are here for every step of the claims process, should something ever happen with a shipment.

5. Are they a one-stop shop for all of your freight and logistics needs?

A top 3PL should be able to provide you with multiple modes of transportation like truckload, LTL, and intermodal, as well as other logistics services like transportation management software, warehousing, and freight management. Do they offer analytics and reporting for your shipments? The importance of partnering with a company that knows your freight needs inside and out will help you stay efficient and ahead of the curve.

Trinity Logistics services many different modes of transportation alone, as well as transportation management. With the added benefit of Burris Logistics, we can find a way to service any transportation need you may have.

Considering these factors before choosing a 3PL could save you a ton of money and unnecessary stress. Always remember to look at a shipping quote as just one piece of the puzzle, and not let it be the only reason you choose who will be arranging your shipments. 

Read what one of our customers, Edison Lighting Supply, has to say about their journey in finding a reliable 3PL partner in Trinity Logistics:

“We have tested many logistics companies, and Trinity is the company that gives us the best service and value, on a consistent basis, with utter transparency. While the prices are slightly higher through Trinity, than through some other companies, Trinity provides unbeatable promptness in providing quotes, and on-time pick-up and delivery. Every other company we have tested ended up costing us more money in the long-run, due to delays, inaccuracies, and bad service. We will never shop another company again; Trinity is now our logistics provider for life.”

If you’re in the market for a partner in transportation, consider Trinity Logistics. We promise it will be worth it.

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Originally published February 16, 2016. Updated by Christine Griffith & Krista Lee. 

Hi there! My name is Shelby. I am a lover of hiking and the New Jersey Devils. I’m a senior at Salisbury University majoring in Marketing. This year I had the opportunity to work as a Market Research Intern at Trinity.

When I began my internship in June, I never expected to grow as much as I have professionally and personally. What started as a ten-week program has become a year-long internship that serves as the foundation of my future marketing career. Here are the three key highlights I have from my experience, which I believe is what makes my internship program “Different on Purpose”.

Leadership

From Day 1, I was treated as a full-fledged member of the Marketing Team, despite my intern title. I am expected to handle some serious responsibility that not every internship offers. Throughout my time here I have been conducting research on our trade show presence and working on our email marketing strategy to increase our open rates, as well as get our message to our audience. I am in charge of handing the team’s Marketing Analytics, which helps keep our company’s leadership up-to-date. These analytics have an impact on steps we might take to reach company goals. Although challenging, it’s incredible that my internship has trusted me to complete higher level tasks and is invested in developing interns like myself into leaders.

The People

I get to work with a talented team that wants to see me succeed. Everyone here has been willing to jump in and help me with anything I need, as well as answer all my questions. Additionally, I have developed friendships with other interns at the company that I will continue to maintain long after this experience is over. Being able to come to a work environment that is so warm and motivating is what has made my internship so special.

Expertise

I can confidently say that this internship has allowed me to learn more about marketing and analytics than I would have in any college classroom. With the hands-on training I received and industry certifications I’ve earned during my time at Trinity, I feel much more prepared for the “real word”.

Working as a Market Research Intern at Trinity has been a defining opportunity in my life. As I wrap up my final semester and begin my career, I’m excited to take everything I have learned with me as I navigate my career. If you see an internship at Trinity pop up, and you are considering applying, go for it. You won’t regret it.

To view our current job openings and internships,

Click Here

To connect with Shelby on LinkedIn,

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The end of a calendar year marks a time to reflect and appreciate what has been. Each year Trinity Logistics takes the time to show some appreciation to our Top 100 carriers. These are carriers in good standing that have continuously hauled the most shipments with us in the past year. Each one of these carriers receives an acrylic award recognizing them as a Top 100 carrier with Trinity. Additionally, some of these carriers will be visited by our own Darrel Banning, Vice President of Carrier Development.

Our top 100 carriers mapped out.

Outside of the Top 100 Carrier Award, Trinity takes the time to appreciate our contracted carriers with several other unique benefits and awards. To find out more about our great customer service and benefits to carriers,

Click Here

To join our network of over 70,000 strong,

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Customer specific pricing (CSP) is one approach that third-party logistics (3PL) brokers use in the Less-than-truckload (LTL) industry to pursue, secure, and operate LTL business. CSP refers to the negotiating and publishing of customer specific pricing programs with LTL carriers for a specific LTL shipper. This is in contrast to using generic or blanket pricing agreements with carriers to move LTL freight. LTL carriers provide blanket pricing agreements to a 3PL that can be used at any time for any shipper. Customer specific rate agreements may only be used for the designated shipper.

CSP is often negotiated for shippers with higher volumes of LTL freight. Usually, blanket pricing may not be competitive enough to gain business from shippers with high volumes of desirable freight. In these cases, CSP can be a good option for securing more competitive rates.

Benefits of LTL CSP

CSP can be a great way to protect our customers from general rate increases(GRI). Once finalized, CSP agreements are good for 12 months and any items negotiated are not subject to carrier General Rate Increases (GRI). CSP can also be beneficial due to the fact that the rates are negotiated specifically for the customer’s needs. For example, let’s say a shipper requires a Freight Of All Kinds (FAK) or has specific accessorial services they use often. These can be negotiated with the LTL carriers as part of the customer specific pricing.

Finally, customer specific pricing is better for both the customer and the carriers. Carriers usually prefer account specific rates. This allows them to put pricing in that they have developed around the needs and details of the customer’s freight. The dedicated carriers get familiar with the customer’s business, shipping and receiving requirements, and freight profile. This allows for a higher level of service for your customer, fewer carriers to work with, and fewer service failures.

How Does CSP Work?

Below are the key steps in the CSP process:

1. Data collection
2. • Information is collected for qualifying the account and preparing the bid packet.
3. Bid packet completion
   • An Request For Pricing (RFP) bid packet is put together to send out to LTL carriers
4. RFP
   • Target carriers are selected. The bid packet is sent out to the carriers. Selected carriers analyze the information and provide us with a pricing proposal.
5. Carrier bid analysis
   • The carrier proposals are reviewed and analyzed to determine competitiveness among each other and with the customer’s current rates.
6. Implementation
   • Winning carriers are selected, and the rates are put in place.

Working with Trinity’s experienced LTL CSP Team can help you meet rising customer demands to provide quality service at an affordable cost. It allows you to be able to negotiate upon a specific carrier-neutral rate base, which isn’t subject to periodic changes made by the carrier. This allows for an easier freight spend impact analysis. It offers you many carriers to choose from and guidance from our team to select the LTL carrier that is the right solution for your shipments.

Interested in gaining insight on how Trinity Logistics’ LTL CSP Team can help you?

Click Here to get in touch with Trinity’s LTL CSP Team.