Category: <span>Custom Carrier Solutions</span>

If there was ever a field that offers remarkable opportunities for a successful and rewarding career, that would be a career in the logistics field. As supply chain management becomes more and more specialized, professionals of all ages will find a plethora of opportunities available to them when it comes to developing their career. Here we offer a few key skills that are crucial for success in this field – no matter your position in the field.

Problem Solving

Whether a customer’s problems involve how to get a shipment to its destination on time and undamaged, how to pack a trailer effectively, or assisting with a localized sourcing plan, there is no shortage of problem solving opportunities available. The best problem solvers approach this with the customer in mind, providing them with the best possible solutions to their problems. Collaboration is also an invaluable skill involved in problem solving since multiple ideas can help find the best solution. 

Communication

Communication skills are vital to success in the logistics field. Being able to communicate with customers about successes, delays, and difficulties is crucial in building a relationship with every member of the supply chain. Logistics is a field that is built upon relationships and honesty is a central component to those relationships. If companies cannot trust one another, then the supply chain can fall apart. It is never worth covering up with a white lie. Trust is far too valuable when it comes to managing a customer’s shipments.

Innovation

While some say that innovation cannot be taught, we believe otherwise. Innovation is not always about technological improvements. Sometimes innovation involves developing ways of helping the customer, creating more efficient processes or ways to keep the campus clean. Technology helps, but it’s not the only means of improving a company. Focusing on helping customers, drivers and other members of the organization is just as, if not more valuable in the long run. Innovation is about making things better for an organization and creating a dynamic work environment for everyone.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of professional development. While the outlined skills above may seem cliche, their importance cannot be overstated. These are all skills that can be learned and developed by every member of the organization, showing that everyone can contribute to our value as a company. These skills are an ongoing process of development here at Zip Xpress and it’s why we’re able to maintain a 99% satisfaction rate with all of our customers and focus on creating an exceptional company culture. If you know someone who wants to further their career in the logistics industry, please let us know. To see how our incredible employees can create a custom carrier solution that is right for your business, start today with Zip Xpress!

As rejection rates begin shifting in favor of shippers, these businesses will find themselves having a surplus of options when it comes to selecting their carrier of choice for future shipments. Yet for all of these options, shippers will still have to navigate a field of fuel prices, individual carrier capacity and driver capacity. Businesses will need to continue evaluating their shipping solutions to determine the best fit for them.

While on the face, it would seem that hiring a carrier for a full truckload shipment is the best option for a lot of companies, there is the hidden cost of wasted fuel and at a time with record high fuel prices, this is a strategy with diminishing returns. Companies will be forced to raise prices just to keep buying fuel if they wish to stay in business. Procuring a full truckload when you don’t need a full truckload of freight also contributes to tightening capacity, which has made load board prices skyrocket over the past few years. It’s difficult to exactly how much availability exists for full truckloads for the foreseeable future.

Less than truckload (LTL) is an alternative strategy for shipping your goods, however this strategy can be very expensive since this can oftentimes cost as much (if not more) than a full truckload depending on the carrier. There are also numerous other nuances associated with LTL, such as tariffs that can make managing a shipment difficult for a shipper. For most other carriers, there is excessive handling involved, which increases the chance of damaging shipments. Fortunately, there is a solution we’ve created that has always proven to be one of the best options in getting shipments to their destination on time and undamaged.

We here at Zip Xpress utilize the Headload Optimization Solution. With this solution companies only pay for the space they use in the trailer. We’re also able to coordinate your shipments with your customer and develop a shipping schedule that works for your business. Our shipment delivery schedules can also tell you exactly when your shipment will be delivered so you will always know when to expect delivery. Finally, our model reduces the handling of all shipments by 75% or more, which dramatically reduces any chance of your shipments being damaged under our care. Taken together, this offers shippers the best of all worlds as they navigate capacity challenges to get their shipments to their destination.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of creating solutions for all of the shippers we have the privilege of working with. Our headload solution is one of our primary solutions, however we can provide blanket wrap, expedited services or any number of other solutions as well. No matter what problems you’re facing, we have a custom carrier solution that will work for your business. Our experience in optimizing shipments spans over 20 years and has earned us a 99% satisfaction rating from all of our customers. Want to see for yourself? Then start today with Zip Xpress!

The past few years have shown all of us how one impact in our supply chains can have a domino effect, even here in West Michigan. Everyone is working hard to put the pieces of their supply chains back together, whether that’s working with suppliers to find new sources of raw materials, or developing new inventory management systems. West Michigan businesses will face many challenges, but here are a few areas businesses can review when working to strengthen their supply chains.

Identify Weak Spots to Improve Workflows

If you have not done so already, it is vital to review your supply chain and any weak spots in an effort to improve workflows. Investing time and resources into updating (or sometimes creating) processes to make your business more effective pays dividends in the long run. You can also determine which inventory strategies work best for your business as well as reviewing suppliers of crucial parts and materials. These efforts in taking steps to limit disruptions will make your business more resilient in an environment where reliability is now a competitive advantage.

Multiple Contingency Plans

Every business leader knows the value of a good contingency plan, however there are times when you don’t need just a Plan B, but also a Plan C & D. Working with your supply chain partners to develop these contingency plans will help you and your stakeholders feel more secure in your decisions and ability to move forward. It’s also vital to recognize that such contingency plans are developed on an ongoing basis since there are so many variables that can change on a dime. As you assess your sourcing strategy and develop plans based on customer demands, you can become proactive by determining what you need, when you need it and place your orders accordingly.

Closer Collaboration

The last area that deserves attention in overcoming supply chain fragility in West Michigan is communication and collaboration. Since there are so many links in the supply chain, it is important to develop a communication plan with everyone involved as well as developing a vision that everyone can share. Making phone calls and discussing how companies can work together in the long run will also reduce the ‘reactive’ state that so many businesses hate being in. Collaboration across the supply chain is a proven strategy in building supply chain resilience, because when you know your supply chain is there for you, you can proceed with confidence.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of overcoming supply chain fragility here in West Michigan. We work alongside all of our customers, developing the custom carrier solutions that solve any problem they’re up against. Our dedication to servicing you and your customers is unparalleled, since we call everyone to determine pickup and delivery times that work for both sides. Our careful handling of your shipments means that they will arrive on time and undamaged no matter what. Our dedication to our customers is the reason why we have a 99% customer satisfaction rating with our customers and have provided 20 years of custom carrier solutions. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

When it comes to carrier and shipper relationships, in all too many circumstances, there is none. At least this was the case years ago before capacity tightened, which has caused shippers to search for a carrier partner of choice. However in many instances, for shippers without a carrier attempting to build a relationship in these current circumstances is likely too little too late. Companies have long memories of who was and wasn’t there for them, especially when times were tough. Yet shippers need to get their goods to customers too, so here are a few steps for shippers in need of deepening their relationship with their carrier.

One of the areas in determining a carrier that can help you is to evaluate their predictability and reliability rather than price. Getting your goods delivered to customers is top priority right now. Carriers who maintain agility and responsiveness by communicating with their customers, informing them about their orders every step of the way win the loyalty of their customers. Once you’ve found a carrier of choice that can handle your shipments, there are additional ways to deepen your relationship with them.

One area to improve relationships with carriers is by making life as easy as possible for their drivers. Respecting the driver’s time and treating them as people will speak volumes about a company, because drivers talk to one another and word gets around. If your company is disrespectful to drivers by making them wait a really long time in order to unload their shipment, word will spread and you will inevitably be in a capacity crunch. Drivers often rate companies on Google based on their wait times. The better you can treat a company’s driver, the more you’ll be appreciated.

Opening all lines of communication with your carrier is another vital means of building the relationship. Setbacks can and do occur, and when one side informs the other of such setbacks, trust is built. Open communication also signals that you’re both doing the best you can, which is all companies can ask for when dealing with one another. Open communication is also a signal of honesty with one another since neither side is trying to hide information and such honesty inevitably leads to trust in one another and a dynamic relationship. Such a relationship will help both companies flourish and happy customers that will keep wanting your business.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand what it means to be the carrier that will work with you, no matter what. We have a long history of helping customers overcome their logistical challenges and partnering with our shippers to ensure their shipments will arrive on time and undamaged, no matter what. Relationships matter more to us than anything else, as we treat every customer’s problem as one of our own. No matter what the situation is, we have a custom carrier solution that will work for your business. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

As the economy adjusts to additional supply chain constraints and fluctuations in the economy, the most likely outcome of this will be more supply chain congestion. It is understandable that this is the last thing companies want to hear, however now is the perfect time to implement a solution that has been underutilized across the entire logistics industry and the American supply chain. At a time where we face rising costs, driver shortages and congestion everywhere we look, one area shippers need to take a second look is whether they’re marking their shipments as full or partial truckloads.

By taking a second look at whether a shipment is marked full or partial and assessing if a full truckload is really needed, companies can help alleviate the congestion that has run rampant across the logistics sector. Capacity only seems to keep tightening, so it is vital to determine if a shipment really needs a full truckload. In too many cases, shipments are marked as full truckload even though they only occupy a fraction of the trailer. This is a waste of valuable resources at a time when we can’t afford such waste. Optimizing shipments is quickly becoming the smarter choice.

We here at Zip Xpress pioneered the headload optimization service which allows companies to only pay for the space they’re using on a trailer. This practice contributes to saving fuel, reducing empty air on trailers and easing the congestion that has run rampant. All of these factors help build resilience into your supply chain by getting your shipments to their destination on time and undamaged. Optimization is one of, if not the most effective solution for the short term, helping shippers and carriers alike as both sides navigate the challenges ahead of us.

Here at Zip Xpress we understand the importance of optimizing shipments, and building resilience into our customer’s supply chains. Our headload optimization service ensures that all of our shipments are able to get to their destinations on time, no matter what. We’ve utilized this service to great effect for all of our customers, creating a sustainable solution and recycling air by reducing the number of empty trailers on the highway. To see the results for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

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!

When people think of a logistics job that deserves respect, their first thoughts would likely be truck drivers. While drivers deserve such recognition, there is another position that is critical to the logistics field and deserves our praise: Freight Handlers. Freight Handlers are the vital behind-the-scenes workers who ensure that the shipments within the American supply chain arrive in a timely manner. These professionals ensure that goods get to the customers and without freight handlers, the supply chain would be much more chaotic.

Yet in these times of supply chain congestion, freight handlers are working harder than ever to get shipments to their destination. We sought out ways of keeping freight handlers safe and maximizing efficiency, thereby providing means of support to these invaluable workers. One of the most important ways to support freight handlers is to develop a process for a clean and efficient work environment. Keeping a clean and efficient warehouse is vital in helping freight handlers do their jobs and maintain their wellbeing. A clean warehouse reduces chances for an accident, since the last thing anyone wants is a freight handler slipping on an oil slick or tripping over refuse. A clean warehouse can also raise morale because it shows the dedication and pride freight handlers have for their work space.

Another way of providing freight handlers with support is by reviewing procedures to ensure that label creation is efficient while also making it easy for freight handlers to procure these labels. When a freight handler must walk from one end of the warehouse to the other multiple times a day, that can tire them out. Reducing this ‘back and forth’ will help reduce fatigue and improve efficiency. Whether these methods involve pre-printing labels, putting a printer on wheels or other means, empowering freight handlers to help create these procedures will get their support, since they are the ones that know the warehouse the best.

Here at Zip Xpress, we work hard to keep our freight handlers happy and show them the respect they deserve. We have one of the cleanest warehouses in the industry as well as procedures that keep shipments organized, which makes the lives of our freight handlers easier. We always listen to their ideas, which have yielded incredible results in the development of our warehouse processes and custom carrier solutions for our customers. It is because of our dedication from our freight handlers that we can ensure shipments will arrive undamaged and on time every time. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

During times of supply chain congestion, it is vital that every member of the supply chain look for inefficiencies in a concentrated effort of keeping shipments moving. One of the key areas that inefficiencies can thrive is the loading and unloading process. While the reasons may vary, inefficiencies with loading and unloading is a critical pain point, specifically for drivers. They have traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles to reach their destination at the designated appointment time only to be told to wait. Once a driver arrives at their destination, there is little they can do other than wait since they cannot simply drive the shipment back. 

Being forced to wait in this manner is one of the key factors as to why there is a driver shortage. All too often drivers aren’t treated as professionals, and there is little concern shown about their wellbeing when they’re forced to wait two to six hours for their shipment to be unloaded. Any attempt to enforce fees from extensive waiting is unlikely to go over well and as a result, nobody makes any money when this happens. Word spreads about warehouses that make drivers wait, primarily through Google Reviews, which can cause carriers to be hesitant to deliver a shipment to such a location or a raise in rates to compensate for long unloading times. In this instance one or both results occur: longer shipping times or more expensive shipping rates, neither of which are good for a shipper.

The best way to eliminate this inefficiency is for a collaboration between shippers, carriers and warehouse managers. Scheduling loading/unloading times, keeping communication lines constantly open and sticking to the shipments schedule will go a long way in cementing a great relationship between shippers, warehouse managers and carriers. Once all members of the party understand where the inefficiencies lie, they can take proactive measures to reduce or even eliminate them, creating a more efficient supply chain at a time when we need it most. This collaboration can prevent many headaches, fees and rates from spiraling out of control.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of collaborating with shippers and customers when it comes to loading and unloading shipments. We schedule calls for pickup and delivery, taking out all of the guesswork in this process. From there our professional drivers will arrive precisely when they need to, making the entire process painless for our customers and their customers. Companies appreciate the extra effort we take in coordinating deliveries, which is why we’re able to maintain a 99% satisfaction rate with our customers. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

There have been a lot of articles written about supply chain resiliency or building resilience into supply chains, but not much explanation into what resiliency means. Resiliency is about making your company less reliant on one supplier for all of your materials and components in a product, essentially diversifying your supplier base. While this is not a new or novel idea, the past two years have forced companies to adapt due to an increase in demand for products, while also creating a lack of supply in material components. Such market forces have called for companies to restructure their manufacturing processes and as a result, their focus is on building resilience.

Resilience however will only be as strong as the companies endeavoring upon it. Without keeping constant communication and collaboration with suppliers, companies may find themselves managing a supply chain that has become too complex. At the same time if we treat resilience as an excuse to treat suppliers poorly, then service from all parties will inevitably decline. However, if we treat this adaptation as a chance to build stronger relationships with all of our supply chain partners utilizing a win-win mentality, stronger businesses will emerge in the process that can adapt their production and logistics in response to just about anything.

Here in West Michigan, many manufacturers are in the process of sourcing new suppliers and finding new lines of production on a daily basis. West Michigan manufacturers have a strong regional advantage since there are so many manufacturers located throughout the midwest. Yet as manufacturers redesign their supply chains, they will inevitably need assistance from a trusted carrier to ensure that the shipments from these suppliers will arrive undamaged and on time. As manufacturers begin to localize their supply chains, seeking out a trusted carrier who specializes in local and regional logistics will be paramount for success for manufacturers within West Michigan.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the importance of resiliency within the supply chain. We are always working internally to solve the logistical challenges of getting a shipment to its destination on time and undamaged. We work with both the shipper and the customer, coordinating pickups and deliveries in a way that most carriers simply don’t. We will guarantee satisfaction for every member of your supply chain while also building the resilience that will keep your company strong. No matter what logistical challenges your company is facing, we have a custom carrier solution that can help you overcome it. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!

This year promises to be an interesting year for manufacturing as the sector plans to tackle multiple challenges surrounding production and the supply chain. In our State of Manufacturing for 2022, we believe that the biggest areas manufacturing will focus on are: further investment in automation technology, localized sourcing of suppliers and additional focus on getting shipments delivered on time and undamaged.

Continued Investment in Automation

One of the key challenges in manufacturing is the current labor shortage. Many of the sector’s most experienced workers are retiring and there are not enough candidates who will take their place. Manufacturers since have been investing in automation technology to keep up with demand from consumers and that trend is only going to continue since record numbers of orders are being placed. The investment in automation technology has helped create a boon in production, which will likely trigger additional demand for more automation investment.

Localized Sourcing

Another key trend that is likely to continue for manufacturers is the development of localized sourcing of suppliers. Localized supply chains come with a different set of challenges that many manufacturers may not be aware of, such as the types of delays that may occur on the local scene. Manufacturers will also be focused on finding multiple suppliers for critical parts, increasing inventory of these critical products, and sourcing raw materials from multiple suppliers, all in an effort to build resilience into their supply chains. With the redesign of the supply chain containing such a localized focus, manufacturers would best work with a carrier that maintains a localized/regional focus to advise and assist their shipping needs.

Getting Deliveries on Time

The final area manufacturers will be working hard at is getting all of their shipments delivered on time and undamaged. Keeping delivery schedules at a time where setbacks, delays and other changes in schedules is a challenge many manufacturers find themselves facing over and over again. With all of these delays posing risk to a shipment, the worst thing that can happen is when the shipment arrives damaged. Producing and sending out another shipment causes a further increase in risk and causes frustration with customers whose product is now delayed much later than originally expected. Manufacturers will work hard to ensure that their shipments arrive at their destination undamaged and on time.

Here at Zip Xpress, we understand the challenges manufacturers will be facing in 2022 and we’re ready to help the companies we have the privilege of working with face those challenges. With our unique focus on localized supply chains as well as our dedication to service, we can help you build resilience into your supply chain, ensuring that you have the right options when you need them the most. Our dedication to service ensures that every shipment we handle will arrive undamaged and on time, while we coordinate pickup and delivery with you and your customers, saving you time and energy while you focus on running your business. No matter what challenge you’re facing, Zip Xpress is here to help. To see for yourself, start today with Zip Xpress!