How do we get supply chains back on track after years of constant disruption and setbacks? The supply chain backlogs came largely from the shock at the start of the pandemic, but even before then, there have been many supply chain vulnerabilities.

Supply Chain Resiliency: Alleviating Backlogs and Strengthening Long-Term Security

Recently, Congress met to discuss our national and global supply chains, current supply chain issues that we need to focus on now, and how to build supply chain resiliency for the long term. Congress invited individuals and organizations to come to testify, to present their views for inclusion on the topic. U.S. Senator for Delaware, Tom Carper, asked Doug Potvin, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Trinity Logistics to testify.

With 16 years of service at Trinity and over 30 years of industry experience, Doug sees first-hand the problems plaguing supply chains. Doug’s testimony gave the Members of this panel valuable insight into the continued problems in supply chains and how members of the Transportation Intermediary Association (TIA), like Trinity Logistics, continue to serve the nation amidst these difficult times.

Doug’s Testimony Before Congress

“ I want to introduce myself as the CFO, Chief Fun Officer at Trinity Logistics because we like to have fun when we’re working hard. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today regarding how policymakers and business leaders are addressing the existing backlogs in the supply chain in the short term and building more resilient supply chains in the long term. My name is Doug Potvin. I’m the CFO of Trinity, a third-party logistics company (3PL) headquartered in Seaford. I’m privileged, honored, and humbled here today representing Trinity, our association, Transportation Intermediary Association, and the entire third-party logistics industry that we serve.

We serve as an intermediary in solving the logistical needs of our shipper customers by sourcing capacity from motor carriers and vendor partners. We are proud to report today that this past year we’ve generated over 1 billion dollars in revenue, arranged over half a million shipments, and offered 350 individuals full and part-time jobs. We truly are a proud Delaware company.

From Charles Dickens, the novel, The Tale of Two Cities; It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Season of light is the season of darkness, a spring of hope is a winter of despair. Over the last two years, the same could be said of the international supply chain and from our perspective, closer to home, the domestic transportation industry.

In March of 2020 as both domestic and international countries shut our businesses including the shutting of the port cities and operations in China and the fact most consumers were at home facing an uncertain future, freight volumes plummeted. Motor carrier capacity increased dramatically due to the steep drop in goods moving and the transportation market saw prices for motor carriers fall. In fact, Trinity Logistics was mentioned on a Facebook post that we were earning an average gross margin of 60 percent, which was simply wrong.

In addition, a small number of motor carriers came to Washington D.C. and demanded rate transparency. Interesting after the businesses, ports, and countries opened up freight volumes began to skyrocket, available motor carrier capacity tightened up, and rates paid to motor carriers increased due to reflecting the change in market conditions. Demand for rate transparency went silent.

The pricing in our industry is driven by market conditions, supply and demand. Large scale, no entity on either side of the equation has enough market share to drive rates. In addition, each shipment has its own variable considerations to take into account including everything from available to capacity in various regional markets, lead time for products, dwell time at shippers and consignees, commodities needing move, and type of equipment needed. All this happens in real-time to ensure goods get to market, keeping our economy moving forward.

Now more than ever, the role of third-party logistics professionals has become more valuable. Companies like Trinity and the other 28,000 licensed property brokers are working overtime to ensure that essential goods continue to be delivered in an efficient manner to meet our customer and consumer needs. Our industry along with motor carriers are the main component as the why during the crisis and disruption, the supply chain bent but never broke.

Trinity Logistics applauds the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives’ Bipartisan passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, a historic investment into transportation and infrastructure. We’re very pleased to see how quickly the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) established the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program. Trinity hopes this three-year pilot program will be successful and made permanent so individuals ages 18 to 20 will explore interstate transport careers. Trinity also believes that as the spending on the Investment Act ramps up in the near future it will provide enough support to the economy to keep the motor carriers employed as we are starting to see freight volumes pull back over the last 30 to 60 days.

Trinity would also like to thank Chairman Carper, John Cornyn, Senator Menendez, and Senator Tim Scott for the support in offering legislation and getting the Senate to act unanimously in passing the Custom Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Act (CTPAT).

Currently, the vaccine mandate for truck drivers coming to the country to deliver freight from Canada and Mexico continues, these professional drivers spend most of their professional time alone in the truck cab, presenting a zero percent risk of spreading Covid-19. This should be lifted immediately to open up capacity and shorten the amount of time it takes to move goods across borders.

Another issue that greatly impacts not only the efficient movement of goods, but highway safety, is the lack of a federal motor carrier safety selection standard. Currently, because of broken safety rating systems from the FMCSA, almost 90 percent of trucking companies are considered unrated. There are no requirements in place before selecting a trucking company, that drastically impacts the overall safety of our nation’s highways. The latest report from the national highway traffic safety administration noted that the number of accidents involving commercial motor vehicles increased 13 percent in 2021. The status quo is not working, and highway safety needs to be improved. Trinity Logistics and our trade association, TIA, fully support legislation to create a motor carrier safety selection and mend the safety rating process.

The U.S. trucking spot market conditions have reflected towards weaker and more normal conditions, though we still will see what the future holds and how that trend continues. Hopefully as a result of this meeting and coordinated actions taken by the United States, our trading partners, manufacturers, supply chain vendors, our nations become resilient when facing similar conditions and uncertainty.”

Trinity Logistics would like to thank Chairman Tom Carper and the TIA for inviting Doug to testify before the Committee. He is a very valuable leader in the industry and Trinity Logistics appreciates all he does for our company, our industry, and our nation.

If you would like to watch the full hearing:

https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/supply-chain-resiliency-alleviating-backlogs-and-strengthening-long-term-security

If you’re a large-scale manufacturer, getting liquid freight transported in bulk is a non-negotiable complexity. Bulk transportation, especially liquid freight, has its challenges and may seem daunting. But, with the right information and provider, it doesn’t have to be. So, whether you’re new to bulk transportation for your liquid freight or a seasoned vet, this article breaks it all down so you can safely and efficiently have your liquid bulk product transported.

What Is A Bulk Product?

What Kinds Of Bulk Liquid Products Are There?

What Is Bulk Transportation For Liquid Freight?

Complexities Of Bulk Transportation For Liquid Freight

What Can Go Wrong With Shipping Bulk Liquid Freight?

What Kind Of Equipment Is Needed For Bulk Liquid Transportation?

How Do You Transport Bulk Liquids?

Bulk Transportation: Liquid Freight Regulations

WHAT IS A BULK PRODUCT?

Before we dive into bulk liquid freight, let’s go over what bulk products are. The term “bulk” is used in transportation to describe goods that are not in containers and loose, transported in mass quantities or volumes. Bulk products are usually packed in one large container to be moved, such as a tanker trailer. Bulk products are often not intended for general consumers but are useful to manufacturers. Examples of bulk products are raw materials, ingredients for food manufacturing, materials for landscaping, gravel, dried beans, oil, or grains.

Another term to be aware of when working with bulk products is “break bulk”. Breakbulk is when a bulk shipment is broken down into smaller containers. This is important to know because bulk shipments are handled as loose goods whereas breakbulk shipments are loaded individually in some sort of container. Therefore, when you have a product to ship, it’s very important to properly communicate whether your shipment is bulk or breakbulk.

WHAT KINDS OF BULK LIQUID PRODUCTS ARE THERE?

There are many sorts of liquid products that ship via bulk transportation. These types of liquids are often used in manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, and more. Some examples of bulk liquid freight are:

• Vegetable oil
• Alcohol
• Milk
• Juice
• Syrup
• Sugar alcohols
• Vinegar
• Essential oils
• Mineral oils
• Artificial colors or dyes
• Chemicals
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Sulphuric acid
  • Nitric acid
  • Mining chemicals
  • Solvents
  • resins
• All types of water

WHAT IS BULK TRANSPORTATION FOR LIQUID FREIGHT?

Bulk transportation for liquid freight involves using a tanker trailer instead of smaller drums or tanks. Bulk liquid transportation usually refers to the act of moving liquid freight by truck over long distances.

COMPLEXITIES OF BULK TRANSPORTATION FOR LIQUID FREIGHT

Bulk liquid freight, especially when it’s hazardous, can carry more risk than other types of freight. For example, an accident involving a tanker truck can cause the shutdown of roadways, manufacturing production lines, and ultimately, the loss of raw material needed for many products.

The first complexity of bulk liquid freight is the way it’s packaged and stored. Unlike other freight, it’s not packaged in totes or smaller containers. Instead, bulk liquid freight is stored and transported in large containers and tankers, and because of their liquid state, they can slosh around and spill.

Since bulk liquid freight shipments transport differently than dry van shipments, you’ll find complexity in its logistics like:

Longer Lead Times

Tanker transportation is considered more of a specialty compared to dry vans, so you’ll notice fewer tankers available. This can make finding an available tanker longer to find.

Higher Rates

Being a specialty type of transportation, it’s easy to see why rates will be higher for this type of shipping. First, carriers pay more for this kind of special equipment. On average a tanker trailer can cost $100,000 to $125,000 compared to the cost of a dry van around $35,000 to $40,000.

Also, your shipping costs will include deadhead miles every time as each delivery requires a trip to wash the tanker. And unlike other types of transportation, you’ll have the same rate regardless of how full the tanker trailer is since different liquid freight cannot be combined for motor carriers to create a “full tank load” shipment.

Different Driver Requirments

No matter the product, tanker drivers are required to have a tanker endorsement, and if the liquid freight is hazardous, they’ll also be required to have a hazmat certification as well.

More Insurance

Carriers hauling hazardous liquid freight in bulk must carry a minimum of $5 million in liability insurance.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH SHIPPING BULK LIQUID FREIGHT?

A lot can go wrong when shipping bulk liquids, so working with an experienced provider is very important. Drivers must be extra careful when pulling a bulk tanker trailer of liquid freight. Just as you must be careful when carrying a glass of water, liquid freight in a bulk tanker sloshes around with movement. If a driver brakes too hard or turns too fast, the weight of the liquid freight can surge to one side and topple the trailer. And if the freight is hazardous, then massive environmental damage can also happen.

Outside of concerns about a toppled trailer, drivers must be mindful of other issues. For example, what happens when you shake or stir liquid? It agitates and causes foam. This also happens with liquid freight during bulk transport. While foam can be annoying when later unloading the trailer, at worst, too much aeration can ruin a shipment depending on the kind of liquid.

Another thing that can go wrong when transporting liquid freight is contamination. Therefore, tank washing is a requirement for every shipment. If a tank isn’t properly cleaned before the next shipment is loaded, residue from the previous shipment can contaminate it.

Lastly, leaky tanks are another serious issue with bulk liquid shipping. If a leak goes unnoticed, even a small one, a significant amount of product can be lost during transport.

WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED FOR BULK LIQUID TRANSPORTATION?

Bulk liquid freight cannot be transported without the proper equipment. Most often, a bulk tanker trailer is needed to haul liquid freight. A bulk tanker is a large, cylindrical metal tank pulled by a standard freight truck.

But there are several different kinds of tankers that can be used for the bulk transportation of liquid freight. For example, there are tankers designed to keep a product’s temperature regulated or tankers with hoppers on the bottom to make unloading easier. In addition, some tankers include pressurized tanks or acid-resistant tanks. Which type of tanker you’ll need is determined by the liquid freight you need to transport.

Some questions to ask yourself, or that your provider may ask of you, to determine what kind of equipment is needed are:

• What bulk liquid do you intend to transport?
• Is the freight hazmat?
• Is the freight temperature sensitive?
• What volume are you transporting?
• From what kind of container(s) will you be loading it?
• Can the loading facility accept a center or rear unload trailer?
• Does the tanker truck need special connectors?
• Is a pump or compressor required for unloading?
• Can the customer accept air compressor offload?
• At what pressure can the tanker unload?
• Does the product need a rubber-lined trailer?
• Are there any prior content restrictions we need to be aware of?
• Will you need a dropped trailer?
• Do you need any extra hoses for loading or unloading?
• What are the pre and post-wash requirements?
  

Types of Tanker Trailers for Liquid Freight

Tanker trailers can be categorized into two categories, depending on the content they transport or their structures.

Tankers by Structure

General Purpose Tanker

These tankers are used to transport bulk liquid freight that doesn’t require special care or procedures. They are usually made of steel.

General Purpose w/ Heat Coils

These tankers are the same except for the addition of heat coils to help raise or maintain the temperature of the product.

Pneumatic Tanker

These tankers have a series of hoppers on their underbellies to help with unloading. Although pneumatic tank trailers are mostly used to transport dry bulk freight. They are also effective for liquid bulk.

Vacuum Tanker

This is simply a tanker with a pump to help load bulk liquid from underground or any other location into the tank. These tankers are most used to transport septage, industrial liquids, sewage, or animal waste.

Rubber Lined Tanker

These tankers are commonly used to transport corrosive chemicals.

Aluminum Tanker

These lightweight tankers can carry more volumes before reaching their weight limit and have lower operating costs. They are typically used to transport petroleum and petrochemicals.

Compartmentalized Tanker

These tankers have compartments built into them that allow tanker carriers to ship different chemicals.

Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Tanker

These tankers are most used for food-grade bulk liquids, corrosive chemicals, and other hazardous liquid freight.

ISO Tankers

These tankers are built according to the standards of the International Standard Organization (ISO) for the shipping of most bulk liquid freight.

Tankers by Liquid Content

Fuel/Petroleum

These carry gasoline, fuel, oil, or propane. Most often these tankers are required to carry a hazmat certification, also making this a more dangerous job.

Food Grade

These tankers carry liquid freight like water, milk, or juice. These tankers can be equipped with heating or cooling systems for temperature control.

Chemical/Acid

These are used to transport many types of industrial chemicals. Some are designed to carry corrosive chemicals.

But Wait, There’s More…

Before we move on to the next section, two things you might want to know about are baffles and tanker weight limits.

Baffles

What are baffles? Remember when we spoke on liquid agitation earlier? That’s where baffles come in. Most tankers have baffles on the inside to help reduce the movement of the liquid. They act as different chambers to help divide the liquid up into smaller compartments, so the entire weight of the liquid is prevented from surging up against the side of the tank.

Tanker Weight Limits

Tankers are not limited by the amount of liquid they can contain, but by their weight. The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that the maximum weight limit for trucks on public roads cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. So, if the liquid you need to transport is dense, like syrup or paint, you might not be able to fill an entire tanker truck. This is essential to keep in mind when arranging your bulk liquid shipments.

HOW DO YOU TRANSPORT BULK LIQUIDS?

Now that we know what kinds of equipment are used in transporting bulk liquid freight, let’s talk loading and unloading. These proper handling procedures ensure your liquid freight is transported safely.

Loading and Unloading

Before loading, the carrier must have the tanker cleaned so that it is without any residue or odor. The only time a tank washing may not be required is if the tanker is transporting the exact type of chemical it most recently unloaded.

They must also thoroughly inspect that nothing is out of place and there are no leaks. If there is any concern, the entire tank can be filled with water to test for leaks. Not only is a leaking tank inconvenient and expensive, but it’s also illegal.

There are two major methods for loading and unloading liquid freight from a bulk tanker: compressors and pumps. Pumps suck the liquid out of the tank while air compressors rely on pressure to force liquid out. It’s important to know that you cannot use air compressors for any flammable liquids as static electricity could build up and cause a spark.

Fun fact: When you unload a tanker of liquid freight using a pump, you must vent it by opening the hatch on top. The trailer can implode if this step is missed, just like your pressurized cooker at home. However, if you’re unloading with a compressor, make sure the hatch is closed.

When a bulk liquid shipment arrives for unloading, the receiver should always first take a sample to confirm the right product was delivered and in good condition.

Hazardous Labeling

Regulations mandate that any trailer transporting hazardous materials must be labeled. This helps anyone recognize the kind of content the trailer is carrying so they know what precautions are required.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT?

It’s important to know your and other parties’ responsibilities to ensure a safely transported bulk liquid shipment.

Shipper Responsibilities

• Have knowledge of the properties of the liquid product you’re shipping
• Communication that information with the provider, along with any needed equipment or certifications
• Know which regulations apply
• Give the driver any placards, seals, or other items required
• Give the drive all paperwork for the shipment
• Provide personnel to load the tanker

Receiver Responsibilities

• Before unloading, verify that you’re receiving the correct commodity and in good condition
• Make sure there’s enough room for the delivered product
• Provide a clean and safe environment for unloading
• Assign someone to check unloading

Carrier Responsibilities

• Provide a clean tanker
• Have appropriate insurance
• Provide a driver who is well-trained and has all necessary licenses, certifications, or permits
• Provide any safety equipment required by the shipper to ensure safe loading
• Provide proper driver safety equipment, such as personal protection equipment (PPE), if the shipment is hazardous

BULK TRANSPORTATION: LIQUID FREIGHT REGULATIONS

Depending on what kind of liquid freight you’re transporting in bulk, regulations can vary. For instance, if you’re shipping liquid intended for human consumption, you’ll need to abide by any regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), like the Food and Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

If you’re shipping hazardous liquid freight, you’ll need to abide by any hazmat regulations.

Regardless of the kind of liquid freight you’re transporting, you’ll need to make sure the provider you work with has a tanker endorsement.

Trinity Logistics is proud to announce their 2021 Distinguished Providers of the Year. Trinity began their Distinguished Providers of the Year Award Program in 2020. The program was created to give Trinity Team Members a chance to recognize top providers within all the company’s transportation modes.

Distinguished Providers are selected carriers within the Trinity network that continue to support their customers and provide exceptional service, despite the continued challenges faced in supply chains set forth by the pandemic. Those awarded are well known amongst the company as providers that are highly valued partners for Trinity Logistics. 

Trinity Logistics thanks these carriers for their continued commitment and service, as they have become an integral part of the day-to-day operations.

2021 Distinguished Providers of the Year

“We are honored to recognize these Service Providers which were selected among Trinity’s deep book of relationship partners demonstrating consistent value to our Shipper Customers throughout 2021,” says Bradley Palmer, Director of Carrier Development and Pricing at Trinity. “Building upon years of experience with these partners, they each distinguished themselves among their peers when reviewing feedback from our Operations teams across the country. And with pride, Trinity Logistics presents its “Trinity Titan” award to three small fleets our Leadership was compelled to honor their dedication and grit hand in hand with our partnership.” 

In addition to the top providers recognized by mode, there is also the “Trinity Titan Award”. This specific award recognizes very small fleets within Trinity’s network who regularly dedicate their capacity and demonstrate uncommon value, or “grit” as we like to call it, throughout the year. This award is determined by a person of exceptional importance and reputation that stands out for greatness of achievement that reflects Trinity’s values. 

2021 Trinity Titan Winners

“I can’t believe we have closed another year and what a year it was,” says Hayley Dobson, Group Vice President at Trinity. “It will certainly be one not soon forgotten. We couldn’t have gotten through it with such success without the help of all our carrier partners. They are truly the lynchpin of the supply chain.   We had several amazing carriers to review and struggled to make final selections, but I believe the ones that rose to the top were a shining example of what a true partnership means. We are so thankful for the dedication and excellent service they provide day in and day out. 

Each of the winners will be presented with a crystal award to commemorate their success and achievement with Trinity Logistics. 

“Trinity’s Authorized Agents are grateful for the support and service of these Distinguished Providers,” says Greg Massey, VP of Agent Development. “Trinity’s Agent Team had the opportunity to work with several of these amazing providers and we are honored to have been given the opportunity to help nominate and select this year’s winners. Thank you for your commitment to Trinity and the exceptional service you provide us every day.” 

Trinity appreciates our contracted carriers with several other unique benefits and awards. Carriers within Trinity’s network can make use of a 1.5 percent QuickPay rate through TriumphPay, access to over 1,000 loads daily, and technology options that help make your job easier. To find out more about our great customer service and benefits to carriers, visit https://trinitylogistics.com.

About the Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering people-centric freight solutionsâ. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a dynamic mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve. 

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

Trinity is currently recognized in the Top 20 freight brokerages on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Freight Brokerage List, in the Top 100 3PLs list by Inbound Logistics, and is named a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation by Women in Trucking.

No one likes spending their valuable time working on manual tasks that take forever. Streamlining operations with automation is the dream for every business, yet many companies still rely on spreadsheets and manual interactions. One way to drastically reduce your manual processes is by implementing a transportation management system (TMS). Many companies use a TMS for their logistics management, like e-commerce companies, retail businesses, manufacturers, and distributors. By adopting a TMS, you’ll be able to eliminate manual processes and focus more of your team on revenue-generating tasks. Read on to learn how a TMS can help you make the most of your time by automating your manual processes.   

MANUAL PROCESS: TOO MUCH TYPING 

Even if you already have a TMS, you might still be doing more work than necessary if your software doesn’t have integration capabilities for order entry. You might be stuck typing each order into your enterprise resource planning system (ERP), as well as your TMS. And if you don’t have a TMS, you certainly are spending way more time doing data entry than you should. 

TMS SOLUTION 

If you’re currently using an ERP, you should make sure the TMS you’re working with can interface with your system, allowing order information to transfer automatically. This prevents the need for dual entry and gives you and your team more time to focus on revenue-generating tasks. 

MANUAL PROCESS: QUOTE MANAGEMENT 

Shopping for shipping rates can be time-consuming if you have to look through each of your carrier’s rates on a lane, and that’s if they offer contracted rates. If not, emails and phone calls to every available carrier might be necessary for even just a single lane. And even after all that, are you sure you’ve selected the best carrier for the best rate? If you work with several different shipments, it can be time-consuming to be on the phone or going through emails asking for rates from carriers in your network. Trying to manually keep track of all those quotes can take you away from more important aspects of your business.  

TMS SOLUTION 

Quickly compare contracted rates or submit instant spot quote requests to multiple carriers at once with a best-in-class TMS. The carrier quotes are automatically filtered into the system by the lowest cost carrier for easy comparison instead of piling up your inbox. 

MANUAL PROCESS: DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT 

Manually managing documents or paperwork is monotonous and outdated. Everything from manually completing the documents to organizing and filing takes a significant amount of time. Not to mention the process of searching for the documents you need later. According to a report by CMS Wire, 36 percent of an employee’s day is spent looking for documents, with information going unfound up to 44 percent of the time. Going by those statistics, you could be spending almost three hours of your day searching for lost documents.  

TMS SOLUTION 

Managing large volumes of loads is timely, and in business, how you spend your time is critical. Sifting through filing cabinets or folders is not an effective use of your time. By using a TMS, all of your documentation is managed, stored, and shared digitally. Not only does this keep your information more secure, but it makes organizing and accessing your documents easier. Using a TMS is the easiest way to manage all of your documents while saving you hours of time every day. 

MANUAL PROCESS: FINDING AN AVAILABLE QUALIFIED CARRIER 

Calling or emailing carriers to see if they can not only accept your load but have the expertise to haul it can get quite time-consuming, especially if you’ve got hundreds of loads to cover. And even more so if you’re working with many kinds of freight. Because not every shipment is the same, the same carrier probably shouldn’t handle them all. Finding carriers best suited for your shipment needs is tough. In the midst of your workday, it’s easy to forget which carriers you’ve talked to already or those you’ve missed. This can translate to a long list of uncovered loads at the end of the day. 

TMS SOLUTION 

Say goodbye to the dozens of phone calls and emails previously used to secure carriers on your loads. With a TMS, you can send a load tender to your preferred carrier, allowing them to accept it electronically. If they reject the tender or don’t respond promptly, the load automatically goes to the next carrier on your list based on cost, performance, or other parameters defined by your company. 

MANUAL PROCESS: SHIPMENT DELAYS/TRACKING/TRACING 

Without using technology, you often won’t know about a shipment delay until your unsatisfied customer calls you. If you’re tracking your shipments, you’re usually doing this manually through emails or phone calls to find out where your freight is, which can be time-consuming and frustrating. While it can be common for several different shipments to be in transit on different company trucks and located all over, tracking can be a challenge. Without a TMS, a lot of time is spent manually tracking shipments and trying to get ahead of delays.  

TMS SOLUTION  

Spend less time tracking your loads and more time filling your orders with a TMS. Carriers will have the ability to provide their own status updates on each of your loads either manually or automatically, allowing you to easily manage your shipments and know in real-time whether there is a delay or not. When asked what features they were looking for in the aforementioned survey, 25 percent of shippers said they needed shipment tracking.  

MANUAL PROCESS: REPORTING 

Reports can be a pain to produce manually since they require merging multiple spreadsheets or pulling information from different sources. This is often done in Excel, which has no way of validating if the reports are accurate. It’s also almost impossible to track carrier performance since it’s hard to see if loads were delivered on time and who shipped which load, all on one spreadsheet. Without proper reporting, how can you really know which carrier had the best performance, what your freight costs were on specific lanes, or which carrier was cheapest the past year? 

TMS SOLUTION 

Forget spending precious time compiling reports from multiple spreadsheets. A TMS will give you the ability to generate all your transportation reports on demand. Do note that not every TMS can generate the reporting you may need, but a best-in-class TMS can offer you advanced reporting to go into specific logistics metrics. From gauging your monthly freight spend to rating your carriers’ performance, you can easily access it if you need it. Need it on a regular basis? With Trinity’s TMS, you can schedule reports to be run daily, weekly, or monthly and even have them automatically emailed to recipients on a distribution list. 

READY TO ELIMINATE MANUAL PROCESSES FROM YOUR LOGISTICS? 

With the ability to eliminate multiple manual processes, it’s easy to see why a TMS allows you to focus your time and attention on more important things, like widening your profit margin. 

If you’re ready to make the move to automation to improve your logistics, we’re here to help. Our combination of experienced account management and best-in-class TMS technology offers you a customized solution to help you achieve your unique supply chain goals. Whether you’re looking for Saas, a Managed TMS, a fully integrated Outsource, or something in between, we’ll work with you to design a solution that’s unique to your business. Gain control, cut costs, improve performance, and most importantly, eliminate those manual processes! 

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?

Foodborne diseases are preventable and the reason why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in place.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) each year foodborne illnesses cause;

• 48 million or 1 in 6, people in the U.S. get sick,
• 128,000 to get hospitalized,
• and 3,000 deaths.

The above statistics made the FDA realize how big of a deal foodborne illness has become and that something needed to change. Thus, came the addition of FSMA to regulations.

What is FSMA?

FSMA was finalized in April 2017 and built upon the 2005 Sanitary Food Transportation Act (SFTA). There were concerns about the regulations for the transportation of food in a safe manner. Foodborne illnesses could be prevented during transportation by reducing common safety risks such as;

• the failure to keep temperature-controlled food refrigerated,
• inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads,
• and protecting food from contamination.

How Does FSMA Apply to…..

…Transportation and Logistics?

Food manufacturers and transportation companies that they work with must operate compliant and clean equipment, have operational processes in place, training to prevent food contamination, and keep records of anything on food safety measures.

…Shippers?

Under FSMA, shippers are the ones who arrange the transportation of the food product(s). This includes food manufacturers and the freight brokers they may work with. Shippers must understand the regulation, partner with a transportation company that is compliant, and communicate any food safety requirements with the companies they work with. They are responsible to ensure vehicles and equipment are in sanitary conditions deemed acceptable by the FDA. They must specify temperature and pre-cooling requirements in writing to the carrier and ensure that their cargo doesn’t make food unsafe for bulk shipments.

…Carriers?

Motor carriers must determine that their vehicles and equipment are sanitary. Carriers are responsible for making sure the equipment meets the shipper’s requirements and is able to maintain the temperatures needed to keep food safe. Refrigerated cold storage has to work and be pre-cooled to the correct temperature as instructed before loading. They need to maintain temperature records and proof of equipment cleaning for all cargo that has been on their equipment.

…To Receivers?

Receivers must provide washing facilities to motor carriers if they are handling, loading, or unloading any foods that are not enclosed. Additionally, they must request proof of proper temperature-control records before accepting.

Having Well-Trained Staff

Training on FSMA regulations and processes should make staff aware of the role they play in food safety. FSMA compliance needs to be part of the company’s culture and day-to-day operations.

Record Everything

The FDA requires that accurate records are kept. This includes processes in place to stay compliant and prevent contamination, training, agreements including FSMA, or temperature-control records.

Violations Are a Serious Matter

Companies can face criminal penalties if food is not handled safely and are not compliant with the FDA’s regulations. Criminal violations can include fines of up to $250,000 for an individual or double that for organizations, as well as one year of imprisonment. It is critical to stay FSMA compliant to keep recalls at a minimum.

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

Choose Like-Minded Transportation Partners

Food safety issues still occur on a regular basis, so it is important to stay FSMA compliant. Part of that is in choosing a transportation partner that stays on top of regulations and focused on food safety.

Trinity Logistics understands the requirements that are necessary to be FMSA compliant and we verify that our vetted and selected carriers meet those standards as well. We strive to remain ahead of the curve and stay up-to-date when it comes to food safety in transportation. If you are looking for a 3PL provider you can trust when it comes to food safety regulations, such as FSMA, connect with us.

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.

Connect with us.

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.