Trucking Safety
/ By Zip Xpress / Trucker Homage/ 0 Comments

Safety on the Road

Logistics can be a demanding profession, and everybody involved in the supply chain is aware of the importance of staying on schedule and meeting performance goals. However, the issue of safety is often overlooked unfortunately. This is a major mistake, whether it’s a driver, a warehouse worker, or a supply chain manager neglecting to perform their due diligence. With a polar vortex bringing freezing temperatures and dangerous driving conditions to the Midwest and parts of the Northeast, we should look at what we can do to ensure that drivers are staying safe on the road.

Drivers themselves should make it a point to practice the basic rules of safety while driving. Minimize any distractions during transit and make sure to only take calls or read text messages when not driving. They should also get their truck tuned up regularly and address any issues that need to be fixed. Minor maintenance problems may seem like they can be pushed off, but whether or not a disaster is avoided can often be a matter of mere seconds, so it is vital to make sure that everything is working as best as it can.

Regular maintenance will better prepare a truck to handle sub-zero temperatures, but drivers should prepare themselves as well. This means packing a bag with extra winter clothes for any trip that will travel through winter weather. Drivers should also familiarize themselves with all emergency outposts and points of contact in the regions in which they are driving. Paying attention to dangerous conditions ahead of time may allow the driver to re-route their trip and avoid hazardous situations.

Drivers aren’t the only ones that should be paying attention to safety. Shippers and manufacturers should also be aware of the weather across the country so that they can adjust their expectations when a storm may hit. Nobody wants their shipment to be late, but it is far more important to ensure that it arrives in one piece rather than pushing for an on-time delivery in impossible conditions. Everyone involved in the supply chain needs to understand the human aspect of the work involved – this will help all parties maintain a fair level of understanding and will ultimately lead to a more successful business relationship. To learn about how we pay attention to the human side of the supply chain, start today with Zip Xpress!

Manufacturing in West Michigan 2019
/ By Zip Xpress / Industry Partners/ 0 Comments

Manufacturing in West Michigan for 2019

When you think about the economy of Michigan, Detroit is probably the first thing that comes to mind. While Detroit has been experiencing a renaissance of its own, there is far more to Michigan’s success than just Motown. West Michigan has quietly become a vital artery for the state’s economy, and this comes as no surprise to the people who live here or those who have visited over the years. In fact, the Grand Rapids metro area has an impressive unemployment rate of just 2.6% – almost a point and a half below the national average. This means that people are finding gainful employment and contributing greatly to a booming economy across the region.

One of the area’s largest industries is the office furniture manufacturing industry, with fresh startups and established giants alike continuing to push for innovation in both the design and production aspects of the industry. This forward-thinking mentality is prominent among workers in West Michigan, leading to an influx of new, creative ideas and helping to boost images and profits for many organizations. This positive trend, however, brings with it a new challenge for many companies – it is becoming harder to find skilled workers who need jobs in the region, so these businesses must put forth more competitive offers and work to create more effective supply chains.

While all of this is a net positive for the region, uncertainty still looms large. The midterms saw a major shift in political power in the state, steel and aluminum tariffs put in place by the Trump administration are controversial to say the least. Still, Zip Xpress believes the overall outlook for West Michigan is positive, and will continue to provide certainty for our manufacturing partners. Our optimism and can-do attitude have helped build West Michigan and we’re excited to see what lies in store for 2019. To see how we can provide certainty to your supply chain, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By Zip Xpress / Industry Partners/ 0 Comments

Filling the Gap – How to Cope with Talent Disparity in Manufacturing

Manufacturing in the US is continuing to boom, bringing with it a reinvigorated job market and plenty of opportunities for gainful employment. Fears that improved technologies and increased automation would eliminate jobs have been alleviated by the fact that these new technologies, more often than not, require people to keep them functioning. Automation has improved efficiency, but the need for tech-savvy employees has also improved the job market. It’s a win-win situation, right? Well, it might not be quite as simple as we may think.

While job openings are up, the supply of qualified workers to fill these positions isn’t keeping up with demand. This means that many manufacturers are facing major challenges in finding the right people in a highly competitive job sector. This talent gap can put a significant strain on the operations of a manufacturing company who is trying to embrace new technologies while remaining efficient and profitable. Investment in quality training and recruiting programs is a must, but there are other ways to soften the blow caused by this new talent gap. One of those methods is to work with strong, capable supply chain partners who can contribute to a more streamlined manufacturing process.

Transportation and logistics companies have long been well-prepared for major shifts in the market. If a manufacturer is still in the process of filling important roles, they can lean on their supply chain partners a bit and let them take the reins on certain initiatives. This can alleviate some of the growing pains caused by the manufacturing boom, and should be beneficial down the line as the positions become filled. A strong partnership with a supply chain service provider can go a long way in moving the transition along.

At Zip Xpress, we are committed to providing top-notch service so that all of our customers can benefit from the current manufacturing boom. The less our customers have to worry about delayed shipments or damaged freight, the more they’ll be able to focus on improving their own internal processes. To see how we can help you as our partner, start today with Zip Xpress!

/ By Zip Xpress / Sustainability/ 0 Comments

Green Saving Green: Sustainability as a Profit Driver

As the global civilization becomes more conscious of our effect on the environment, sustainability has become a major talking point in many aspects of our daily lives. Business is just one, but sustainability efforts and green initiatives from corporations may be the most important thing to focus on as we move forward. Not long ago, environmental friendliness was often shunned or feared by large businesses, but that is not the case these days. With the changing attitude of societies across the world, and the proof of cost savings behind sustainability, companies have learned that eco-friendly practices contribute not only to their overall image, but also to their bottom line. In logistics, we know the number of partial truckloads is breaking down the infrastructure on our Nation’s highways and leaving a large carbon footprint. It’s clear that companies need to learn to optimize loads.

From biodegradable packaging to clean manufacturing through reduction of waste materials and energy usage, there are many different ways in which an organization can improve its surrounding environment. Companies are quickly realizing that their eco-friendly actions are proving to be worth it in the long run. An increasing number of consumers are actively seeking sustainable options for their goods and services, and that is showing up on sales reports for many companies across a variety of categories. Whether someone is looking for sustainable packaging (or in our case, get to no packaging at all), green programs have proven to be beneficial for both the environment and the organizations participating in them.

At Zip Xpress, we are committed to taking a sustainable approach to supply chain management. Our optimization program and Carbon Footprint Report are direct examples of measurable sustainability, and we are continually evaluating and improving them in order to minimize our impact on the environment. We extend this advantage to our partners, as seen in our blanket wrap video, when suggesting that shippers use our Carbon Report as part of their sustainability plan. We strongly believe that sustainability is not just a key factor in running a strong business, but also in making the world a better place for everyone. To see how we can help with your sustainability efforts, start today with Zip Xpress!