As manufacturers navigate through their supply chain challenges, one of the crucial areas will be in how they manage their raw materials. Many articles explain how to recycle and reuse materials in an effort to reduce waste due to the increase in prices as well as possible labor shortages. One area that is being given little attention for manufacturers in their efforts to reduce waste is in shipping, especially at a time when capacity is so tight. While many manufacturers undoubtedly are grateful that their shipments are being delivered to customers, the frustration they experience when their freight arrives damaged is no doubt multiplied at a time when the manufacturer had to jump through so many hurdles to get that shipment to the customer.
When a shipment arrives damaged, it is not simply a matter of filing a claim with the carrier and then the issue is resolved. There’s the effort of securing new materials for the product, manufacturing the new product, scheduling the delivery with the customer and the labor costs through the entire process of creating a new product. Meanwhile, weeks have passed and you’re still waiting for the dispute to be resolved in getting compensation for the damaged shipment. This doesn’t even consider the non-monetary costs of lost trust in the carrier as well as damaged trust with the customer, since they’re forced to wait weeks (if not months in some industries) to receive their shipment.
Manufacturers would be wise to evaluate their carrier partners, especially at a time like this. They must ask themselves: are they working with a reliable carrier that understands their shipments or are they in search for the best rates and ‘anyone will do?’ The unfortunate truth is that we live in a time where spot market rates are rising and will likely continue to do so. In the meantime, manufacturers must find ways of mastering their supply chain. The first way of mastering their supply chain is by looking to their carriers to ensure they’re able to get all of their shipments to the customer on time and undamaged.
Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of getting a shipment to a customer on time and undamaged. Our speciality is in handling unique freight and providing careful consideration to all of the shipments we’re privileged to be working with. This is accomplished through our custom carrier solutions, methods in which we devise a shipping strategy that works for our customers, no matter what their situation. Many carriers would call such dedication to service the ‘white glove treatment’ but here at Zip Xpress, that’s our standard and it’s why we have a 99% satisfaction rating with our customers. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!
