After several record setting years, 2023 saw shifts to the freight market. How did the 2023 freight market affect shipper and carrier businesses? Did other businesses have the same struggles as yours? Are they expecting to face similar difficulties in 2024? How are their partner relationships? 

Trinity Logistics wanted to get answers to these questions for you, so we asked a random sample of our shipper and carrier relationships to gauge the effect 2023 had on their business and what their expectations for 2024 in our first Freight Market Survey. Here’s what we found out:

2023 SHipper & Carrier Data: Freight Market Survey Results

Past Challenges – Same, But Different

Considering the recent turndown of demand and the freight market, it’s not a big surprise that money was the biggest issue for shippers and carriers alike. Shippers answered that transportation costs were their biggest challenge in 2023, with supply chain delays/disruption and capacity not far behind. Low rates and increasing operating costs were the main challenges facing carriers. 

Business Impact – Could Have Been Better

Even with the change in consumer demand trending downwards throughout 2023, most shippers answered that their year was good overall. Carriers on the other hand seemed to face a rougher year in business with over half of them stating their year could have been better or was poor. 

A LOOK INTO 2024

Future Challenges – Money Problems

2024 isn’t looking much different in terms of challenges compared to 2023. Shippers look to have the same financial challenges as they did in 2023 with transportation costs, supply chain delays/disruption, and decreased demand being the top concerns selected. Carriers are still concerned about low rates, operating costs, and low freight volumes hurting their businesses. 

Hot Trends

Even though transportation costs are shippers’ strongest concerns in their previous answers, it seems the increased amount of supply chain disruptions and delays we’ve all experienced in these recent years have hit a nerve, with the majority answering that supply chain resilience is the trend their business is most interested in. Cybersecurity also looks to be a growing interest.

Carriers on the other hand, interestingly enough, look to the recent trend of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Also, as noted in the comment boxes of our “Other” option, increased rates and better fuel prices were trends they’d like to see in 2024. 

Load Volumes & Capacity – Slightly Positive Outlook

Overall, shippers are slightly more optimistic for 2024, thinking it won’t bring any change or the change it brings will be positive. Most think load volumes will stay the same or there will be a little more in freight volumes this year. As for truck capacity, they think it will be the same as 2023 or slightly tighter. 

Carriers also think 2024 will bring more freight volumes and that capacity will likely stay the same or get tighten slightly versus 2023.  

Spot or Contract?

Year-over-year, shippers aren’t looking to change much in terms of which market they turn to. Most look to continue to put most of their freight on the spot market.

For carriers, there looks to be some change anticipated. In 2023, most carriers ran spot market freight but in 2024, over half of them look to haul contracted freight. 

Do Shippers Have a TMS?

It’s 2024, so you’d think most shippers would have a transportation management system (TMS), and no surprise, they do. For those that don’t and answered, it seems they did not have a good experience with one in the past or don’t know enough about them. 

Brokers Are the Way to Go

When asked how they like to move their shipments, most shippers use a mix of carriers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) or just 3PLs. A few do use their own trucks. For those that do outsource to 3PLs, they usually just stick to one provider.

Shippers most often look to a 3PL for help with their everyday shipments, for transportation management, visibility, and access to their capacity. The main reason shippers choose not to work a 3PL for their logistics? They don’t like the risk. 

Transportation Modes – Staying Consistent

Overall, shippers aren’t looking to change what transportation modes they use for their shipments. Truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) are the primary modes they like to use, with a little diversification sprinkled in.

Exceptional Service Stands the Test of Time

When it comes to their logistics partners, shippers find the most value in receiving exceptional service, with costs coming in as a close second. 

Most Wanted: Long Mileage, Flatbed Shipments

When it comes to mileage, most carrier companies tend to run long-hauls or a mix of short and long shipments. Flatbed hauls are the type of shipments most carriers like to haul with dry van coming in as a close second. 

Load Boards are the Way

With 74 percent selecting this option, load boards are the norm for carriers to find available shipments. Sometimes they use their shipper relationships, and occasionally they make use of a 3PL. 

3PLs – Expanding a Carrier’s Reach

Carriers most often look to a 3PL for help with gaining access to available shipments that they wouldn’t have otherwise. Covering backhauls are another big reason carriers reach out to a 3PL. 

For those that choose to not work with a 3PL, it’s often because of money; rates not being high enough. Surprisingly in the comments, many are not familiar with what a 3PL or freight broker is as well.  

When it comes to measuring value in their 3PL partners, most carriers want good rates and great communication.

Fraud Concerns Growing

Fraud and scams have been growing in the industry, so we wanted to know what carriers think about it. Carriers are most worried about double and triple brokering affecting their businesses compared to concerns of identity theft or cargo theft. 

As more shippers look to reduce freight costs and their carbon footprint, intermodal logistics continues to see rapid growth. The Intermodal Freight Transportation Market has predicted a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.27 percent from 2021 to 2026 for intermodal logistics. And with intermodal peak season on the way, shippers using this mode must have the right shipping strategies in place.

Intermodal can be a very effective mode when it matches up with the right customers, but with the rapid growth of customers choosing intermodal logistics, we often hear a similar question from our shipping customers: “What should I expect during intermodal peak season?” So, let’s learn more about what peak season for intermodal is, how it may affect you, and what you can do to stay ahead.

WHEN IS INTERMODAL PEAK SHIPPING SEASON?

Peak shipping season refers to the time of year when freight volumes see an influx. For most modes, this falls in line with the time of year when retailers begin pushing inventory for back-to-school and the holiday season. During this time, shippers try to keep up with demand and manage inventories while fulfilling a high volume of orders, and motor carriers are busier than usual trying to deliver freight on time.

Historically, the peak shipping season for intermodal logistics is around June to December. While June may seem a bit early, many shippers are rushing to get their goods through West Coast ports before June 30^th, and rail is a popular way for shippers to transport their West Coast imports. According to the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, since 2006, the number of goods imported and then loaded into intermodal equipment through Los Angeles and Long Beach ports has grown 25 percent.

With roughly two-thirds of intermodal containers coming off the West Coast from import traffic during peak season, this limits the supply of 53’ containers heading East.

Even though June is the typical start of peak season for intermodal, it can fluctuate. Some years it can be later or earlier. But since the start of the pandemic, intermodal logistics have been greatly affected by capacity, making peak season more year-round than in former years. This is because of the rapid increase in online shopping year-round for consumers, which the pandemic only heightened.

“The past two years since the beginning of covid-19 has greatly impacted intermodal capacity,” says Jennifer Fritz, Trinity intermodal expert. “Historically peak season for intermodal logistics usually starts June through December, but with capacity affected by the change in supply chains from covid-19, it’s been tight year-round, making peak season pressure felt year-round instead of a few months of the year.”

CHALLENGES OF INTERMODAL PEAK SEASON

Expected or unexpected, any time there is a major shift in supply chains, it can throw off your operation. So, how does peak season affect intermodal logistics? Well, it’s not much different than peak season shipping for any other mode.

You’ll see tightened capacity because of the increased freight volumes and demand. And anytime we see tightened capacity, we see increased prices as well. So, the more in demand something is with less supply, it equals higher rates.

You’re also bound to see some shipping delays and need to give longer lead times. Your usual service levels may also drop because of the overwhelming volumes of freight needing to be moved during peak season shipping. Especially lately with the continued covid-19 pandemic still affecting the market, West Coast ports, and ultimately, intermodal logistics.

Take Control of Your Intermodal Logistics During Peak Season

Make sure you’re not unprepared for intermodal peak season. Each peak season is variable, rarely unlike another, and planning is more critical than ever with it being more frequent and extreme. Here are some tips to help you take control of intermodal peak season.

Give Even More Lead Time

Book your intermodal shipments as far in advance as possible. Prices are volatile during intermodal peak season, and the rate to move a shipment through intermodal logistics can increase by hundreds of dollars over a single day. In addition, available equipment can often be an issue. This is not the season to wait until the last minute.

Stay Updated on the Industry

Ever since the start of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to know what’s going on in intermodal logistics. As we’ve seen over the past few years, supply chain disruption can happen at any time, so make sure you check the news daily or have a good resource to give you all the information you need.

Try Shipping Later

Perhaps all your items don’t need to arrive during peak season. Great. If possible, schedule those shipments to ship after intermodal peak season, when there is more capacity and you’ll likely get a better shipping rate, or at least stagger them. So, if part of your shipment needs to arrive right away, have that delivered faster. And for any freight that doesn’t need to deliver quickly, schedule that shipment for a later date. 

Plan for Extra Time

As noted, with the influx of freight needing to be moved, there are bound to be delays. Many intermodal carriers have fully planned days and if they get delayed, it affects the rest of their movements. So, make sure you allow plenty of time for your products to get to their destination. This will help keep a delay from happening and possibly get you a better freight rate.

Shop Around

Prices can fluctuate between providers and from day to day. If you have the time, try getting prices from a few different providers or being more flexible with your dates to see if you can find a better value. For example, the difference between a 15-day delivery time and a 20-day delivery time could be significant. Check out all avenues and find what works best for your budget and freight.

Have Modal Flexibility

Sometimes a mode will max out on capacity. If capacity is reached for intermodal logistics, ensure you have relationships with over-the-road carriers or a third-party logistics company as a backup. This ensures no matter what, you’ll be able to get your freight from point A to point B.

Leverage Partnerships

Partnering with an experienced 3PL can make navigating peak season for intermodal logistics, or any logistics mode, more accessible. Companies, like Trinity Logistics, often have longstanding relationships with carriers for all modes, plus logistics technology and well-trained teams ready to help you. A reputable 3PL will have seen it all during peak shipping seasons and be able to help you manage your logistics without batting an eyelash.

GET HELP WITH YOUR INTERMODAL LOGISTICS, NO MATTER THE SEASON

While we can’t look into a crystal ball and predict how long this never-ending peak season for intermodal logistics will last, we can tell you that many logistics providers and shippers are adapting. Intermodal peak season shipping can be stressful, but these tips can help you better navigate your intermodal logistics during the peak shipping season.

If you’re looking for help, Trinity Logistics is here to support you. We have a full Team of Intermodal Experts, experienced and ready to assist you with your intermodal logistics. Simply click the button below and let’s get connected.

It can be challenging for you to decide the best way to transport your products. Fewer decisions are bigger than deciding whether to operate a private fleet or outsource. On the surface, private fleets appear to be the better option, but you must recognize and understand all that goes into running your own transportation. Some companies believe operating a private fleet gives them more control over the business and operating costs. In contrast, others find that outsourcing their transportation gives them better insight into the market while reducing costs and creating efficiencies. So, which is better? Private fleets or outsourced logistics?

PRIVATE FLEETS OR OUTSOURCED LOGISTICS?

Well-known household names like PepsiCo, Sysco Walmart, and Tyson Foods all run successful private fleets. According to FleetSeek.com, a database of trucking operations, 344,657 private fleets are operating in the U.S. compared to 169,498 for-hire carriers and 203,068 independent owner-operators. So what drives companies to choose a private fleet or outsourcing?  

The idea of having your own private fleet to deliver your goods is alluring. On the one hand, you can retain complete control over your supply chain by operating a private fleet. But this can come with staggering costs and resources spent. The time and costs of managing a fleet may not be worthwhile for some companies. On the other hand, it can be difficult for those running and operating their own fleets, especially if it’s not their core focus. While the pandemic has had a small hand in encouraging companies to move away from managing their own private fleets, many of the real motivating factors are the plain challenges that come with operating your own logistics and transportation.

PRIVATE FLEET CHALLENGES

Running your own fleet is a very asset-heavy business on its own. It requires a lot of capital investment in tractors and trailers along with other costs of technology, maintenance, insurance, driver pay, and more. Drivers are in short supply already, so finding a backup for sick drivers or losing drivers puts private fleets at the risk of losing capacity. Motor carrier insurance costs have been on the rise as well. Where a large trucking company could spread increased costs across a range of equipment and business segments, a small private fleet does not have that flexibility.

DRIVER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Driver recruitment is one operation of running a private fleet that you have to consider. Finding talent behind the wheel is an even more significant challenge lately with the driver shortage and driver-related issues are a current top concern of private fleets. According to the American Trucking Associations, the driver shortage hit 60,800 at the end of 2018. Current trends point to the shortage growing to over 160,000 drivers by 2028. In addition, a recent ATRI analysis of census data on employment sectors shows that the trucking industry has the lowest percentage of young entrants and the highest percentage of aging workforce entrants.

In a recent survey by the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), more than a third of all challenges private fleets face are driver-related, like aging drivers and their retirement, recruiting, turnover, hiring, and retention. With the ever-surging freight demand and a growing labor shortage, private fleets must work even harder to recruit and retain drivers. In addition, private fleets must fight with for-hire carriers over drivers as they are working even harder to attract drivers from fleets with more money, better equipment, and better routes for more home time.

COSTS

Many companies want to operate private fleets to manage their transportation costs; however, many more costs go into a private fleet. First, there are the upfront capital expenses, which can be expensive when starting out. You also have to consider fuel, insurance, driver pay and benefits, licenses, certifications, permits, technology like ELDs or software applications, training, and drug testing. There are also unanticipated costs to plan for, like liability costs for any accidents or claims. According to a study by the FMCSA in 2006, the cost to a company for a non-fatal injury crash averaged $195,258, while the average cost of a fatal crash was $3,604,518. In addition, costs for private fleets are rising with the increasing costs of fuel, insurance, and equipment maintenance as new and used trucks deal with material shortages.

CAPACITY

Many companies want a private fleet to have easy access to the capacity to haul their freight. However, having just the right amount of available equipment and drivers is tough to decide. Often you’ll find that you either have too much equipment sitting when you’re slow or too little to cover orders when demand is high, leaving you to use the spot market to cover shipments that need to go out. There are always ebbs and flows to business. Even when planned there will be times when equipment is underutilized or there won’t be enough.

TIME SPENT ON TRANSPORTATION

One drawback to operating your own fleet is the time you must put into it. You have to arrange the shipments, make sure you have drivers, cover backhauls or find coverage when you don’t have enough capacity of your own, maintain regulations, insurance, and more. The constant monitoring and configuring of your own transportation demand a lot of time – time that could instead be used for revenue-generating tasks.

PRIVATE FLEET BENEFITS

There are many benefits to running your own private fleet, such as;

KEEPING CONTROL

If keeping control over your transportation is something you need then operating a private fleet is for you. By choosing not to outsource your transportation, you’ll have complete control over your supply chain. You’ll know that you always have capacity available, even when the market is challenging. You won’t have to spend time searching for available carriers or negotiating rates, and you’ll keep control over service levels since you’ll have company drivers and equipment readily available.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

In the previously mentioned NPTC survey, more than 92 percent of respondents said that customer service was the main reason they had a private fleet. Other factors included flexibility, reliability, dependability, and a desire to put their employees in front of customers. With these factors in consideration, some companies view their fleet as a core competency.

SAFETY

Safety performance is another benefit to private fleet operators. According to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) crash data, drivers in private fleets have shown to be three times safer than the overall trucking industry.

FLEXIBILITY

Additionally, you’ll have scheduling flexibility. Rather than depending on a for-hire carrier to pick up and schedule shipments, private fleet operators set the schedule themselves, giving you more control over on-time deliveries.

BRAND AWARENESS

Lastly, there’s the marketing aspect to consider. Private fleet trailers essentially act as “rolling billboards” for your company.

OUTSOURCING BENEFITS

In the 2019 Third Party Logistics survey by Korn Ferry, 63 percent of shippers said that overall, shippers are increasing their use of outsourced logistics. Taking into account the pros and cons of a private fleet, it seems some companies find that outsourcing their transportation suits their needs better. There are many benefits to outsourcing your logistics, such as;

FEWER COSTS

In comparison to private fleet costs, there are very few costs to consider when outsourcing. You don’t have to worry about the cost for the labor of drivers, their insurance, their certifications, driver recruiting, vehicle maintenance, fuel costs, and more. The only actual cost you have to worry about is the cost of having your freight transported.

MORE TIME

Since you won’t have to worry about the many time-consuming tasks of your own fleet, you’ll have more time to focus on your business versus your transportation. In addition, your employees will focus on revenue-generating tasks instead of all that comes with managing transportation.

CAPACITY

Even though private fleets come with some on-demand capacity, when outsourcing your logistics to a third-party logistics provider (3PL), you can be assured that you’ll have access to capacity that you wouldn’t have otherwise. 3PLs take care of all the relationship-building, growing a larger network than you could manage, and take care of covering your shipments for you. There’s no worry about finding available carriers or making sure you have available drivers and equipment. It is all taken care of for you.

OUTSOURCING CHALLENGES

Even though there are many benefits to choosing to outsource your transportation needs, there can be some challenges that come with it.

LOSS OF CONTROL

Some people aren’t fans of losing control. When choosing to outsource, you will lose some control of your provider selection, customer service, and rates paid on shipments. Sounds scary, right? That’s why if you’re choosing to outsource, make sure you find a reputable provider that you can communicate your wants and needs. Find one that will keep an open line of communication with you as your relationship grows so that you fully trust them and be okay with letting go.

LOSS OF VISIBILITY

This solely depends on the provider that you choose to work with and what they offer. Find a good provider with technology applications or processes in place to keep you informed. You may even find a provider that has options to give you more visibility than you would have otherwise.

MANAGING THE RELATIONSHIP

Time and effort must be invested when developing good working relationships. Your chosen providers must share an understanding of your strategy and provide you with innovative solutions to give you a competitive advantage. It may take time to be in alignment.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

If choosing to outsource and make use of a provider’s technology, your IT teams must integrate applications and systems. Make sure your IT teams are capable of doing so and that your provider will provide assistance in the integration.

PRIVATE FLEET OR OUTSOURCING OPTIONS

Companies that don’t want to manage their own fleet have a couple of options when it comes to outsourcing. For one, there are dedicated services. This is an option if you already have a private fleet of your own. Essentially, you convert your private fleet to a transportation company so that they now belong to the transportation company but remain dedicated to serving you first and foremost. Some transportation companies may even let you keep your branding on the truck. This is a nice way to have more control but less responsibility. 

Another option is outsourcing to a 3PL completely. They will take complete control and responsibility for your logistics management. You’ll still have access to capacity, reduced costs, and excellent customer service; however, you’ll lose the benefit of your brand on trucks. This option allows you to COMPLETELY focus on your core business.

Looking to have the best of both worlds? There is certainly nothing holding you back from having a mix of a private fleet and outsourcing. Some companies, like Giant Eagle Supermarket, prioritize their private fleet but also use outside carriers for less critical shipments. As a result, they’ve found an advantage to mixing both services.

FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Regardless of the choice you make, getting your product to customers has never been more challenging. The driver challenge continues to be a problem, capacity remains tight, and freight rates remain high. Though we may be partial to outsourcing, you should look to find a solution that works best for your company.

Be sure to ask yourself these questions when deciding whether private fleets or outsourced logistics is best for your company:

• Are my transportation needs complex?
• Do my shipments require the coordination of multiple stops, complex routes, or specialty shipments?
• Is my organization struggling to hire and retain drivers?
• Do we own more trucks than needed on a regular basis?
• Would managing my own fleet take valuable time away from employees or money from revenue?

If outsourcing some or all of your transportation seems like a good solution, consider Trinity Logistics as your provider. With over 40 years in business and Burris Logistics as our parent company, we consider ourselves experts in logistics, especially in more complex or specialty shipments.

We can help you with capacity through our extensive network of carrier relationships available. We have best-in-class technology available to meet your needs and help you with your business’s growth. We work with several modes and through our People-Centric approach, offer you guidance on when and what solutions you should use. You’ll find that when choosing Trinity Logistics as your provider, when given the chance to prove our commitment to great service and communication, we set the bar high.

Author: Christine Morris

Shipping freight is often a large and crucial part of a company. To make a profit, you need to get your customers the right product at the right time, and for the best cost. If not managed properly, your transportation can cost you substantial money. With costs rising recently, it’s easy to see why the challenge for many companies has been to reduce their transportation costs. Are you taking the proper steps to do so?

WHY COSTS ARE RISING

Before we jump into how to reduce your transportation costs, it’s essential to understand what factors are causing them to rise. 

CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE

Consumers’ demand for faster delivery times is affecting everything from food and more. It’s forcing shippers to try to keep up to retain their customers. The so-called “Amazon effect” is alive and well as the world of e-commerce and faster shipping times grows. 

HIGHER DEMAND

As noted, e-commerce was growing steadily before, but the pandemic only accelerated it. Consumers are ordering and demanding more, delivered right to their doors. Demand is far exceeding supply, and this trend is expected to continue through the rest of 2021. 

TIGHTER CAPACITY

With such overwhelming demand, there are not enough drivers or labor to keep up. These shortages are impacting every mode of transportation, causing delays, and raising rates higher. 

RISING COSTS FOR DRIVERS

Drivers are also experiencing rising costs. Fuel prices have been increasing, and tolls have risen; truck costs and insurance prices have gone up. All these costs roll over to their trucking rates. 

STEPS TO REDUCE TRANSPORTATION COSTS

There are several ways to reduce transportation costs while also improving your logistics.

CUT YOUR MANUAL PROCESSES

Chances are, you’ve been doing things the same way for so long, you don’t even recognize there’s a better way to do them. We’ve all been there, and while change can be challenging, noticing you have room for improvement is the first step towards growth.

Automating your manual processes will help reduce your transportation costs. With automation, you’ll streamline your operations, allowing for better management while creating and improving your efficiencies. As a result, you’ll end up saving time and becoming available for your more important tasks.

USE ANALYTICS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS

Reviewing historical records and analyzing trends can help uncover any slow processes and extra costs. For example, you may discover that one carrier consistently adds accessorial charges while another compatible carrier does not.

TRY DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

Trying different modes of transportation could help you offset your costs. Shipping freight by sea could be less expensive than by air. Intermodal transportation is another option that you may not have considered. Shipping intermodal is usually less expensive than trucking. Even using a combination of the two could reduce your cost. Keep an eye on the transportation costs for different modes and don’t be afraid to make the switch. Being more flexible with your freight shipping could give you some financial benefits. 

SEE IF YOU CAN CONSOLIDATE

Are you making the most of every truck moving your freight? Your shipment planning team should analyze current and future orders to build your shipments in the most cost-effective manner possible. Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments are cost-effective for smaller weights. Yet, consolidating your shipments into one full truckload could have you seeing savings. With consolidation, there will be fewer trips, meaning you’ll see lower rates on one bulk shipment versus many small ones. 

BID MORE OFTEN 

To offset tight capacity and rising shipping costs, shippers should go out to bid for new transportation contracts more than annually. This allows you to find the best rates and avoid potential disruptions from transportation shortages.

GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR VENDOR-ROUTED OR CUSTOMER-ROUTED SHIPMENTS 

Depending on your customer, sometimes you have your hands tied when it comes to logistics. For example, you may be required to use their specific providers as a condition of doing business with them. However, there are instances where you may be able to gain control of these opportunities for savings. Don’t you wonder about the potential for savings if you controlled this section of your business? 

By leveraging ALL of your volume, you could qualify for some decent savings with LTL and truckload providers. Additionally, you’ll gain control of your shipments, which equals control of the quality of the provider, saving you money by retaining happy returning customers. You can better measure service performance and rates to ensure your best interests are being cared for when the ball is in your court.

INCREASE VISIBILITY 

Without visibility, costs can begin to sneak in like stealth monsters that eat away at your bottom line. True visibility is using a best-in-class TMS that enables you to see all your transportation network. You can track and manage control over your products, see service disruptions or shipment delays in real-time, find optimized routes, and work with the best carriers. You’ll not only reduce your costs but increase your service levels and improve your relationships with all stakeholders. 

PREPARE AHEAD

The more time you have before your shipment gives you more options in carrier selections and the chance to find a decent rate. Or look into another mode, as mentioned earlier. It also gives your provider more time to prepare themselves and let you know of any upcoming circumstances that may increase your logistics costs, giving you more time to consider making any changes. It also helps you alleviate delays and missed deadlines. 

CONSIDER WAREHOUSING SERVICES

If you do a lot of shipping to and from the same lane, especially if it’s over a long distance, it may be a good idea to warehouse your goods closer to your customers so you can reduce those long-haul transportation costs. 

BECOME A SHIPPER OF CHOICE

It’s never a bad thing to be a shipper of choice. Carriers are in the position of choosing which shippers they want to work with. Those shippers who provide better experiences for them can not only reap the benefits of better rates but higher service levels and fewer claims. To become a shipper that carriers will want to work with, it’s important that you run efficient and friendly dock operations, reduce driver wait times, provide comfortable breakroom and restroom accommodations, and pay your carriers quickly. 

GET DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS

Data has quickly become one of the world’s most valuable resources. With a best-in-class TMS and proper reporting that you can analyze, you’ll be able to better manage disruptions, reduce downtimes, and effectively plan and budget your logistics spend. By using data analytics, you’ll be able to recognize which carriers are the most likely to have the capacity and ensure proper rates for shipments. 

CONSIDER OUTSOURCING

In business, any activity that isn’t directly tied to securing more business deflects attention away from your goal of making a profit. That means the hours you can spend sourcing transportation providers and managing your logistics are not considered a profitable way to spend your time. By outsourcing your logistics and partnering with a third-party logistics company (3PL), like Trinity Logistics, you gain back all those hours to focus on what you do best – make a profit! 

According to the 2020 Annual Third-party Logistics Study, 67 percent of shippers stated that using a 3PL contributed to reducing their overall logistics cost, while 83 percent said using a 3PL has improved their service. By utilizing Trinity Logistics, you won’t have to worry about any of the steps above because we’ll take care of them for you.

We’re listed as a Top 100 3PL by Inbound Logistics, and through our People-Centric service, we can help you find one or more customized solutions to meet your business needs. The first step to finding out exactly how we can help you reduce your transportation costs and improve your service is by having that initial conversation. 

Will you choose to take that step today? 

Updated September 16, 2021 by Christine Morris.