hotshot freight
/ By Zip Xpress / Trucker Homage/ 0 Comments

How to Help Truckers Stay Motivated

In any field of work, there are going to be periods where it is hard to stay motivated. Driving a truck is no different, but sometimes motivation can be even more difficult to find. Driving long hours and long distances every day can result in burnout, and many truckers feel as though they are not appreciated enough to continue to put in the hard work. Some drivers are able to find inspiration from within, but there are ways carriers can encourage their drivers to stay on the road.

One universal motivating factor is good pay. Some carriers continue to shortchange their drivers and offer minimal compensation packages. This is no way to keep employees motivated. Coming up with a fair payment plan is the first step a carrier can take to inspire their drivers and prevent employee turnover. With many boomers retiring from the profession, carriers will need to entice millennials to become their replacements, and the promise of a strong income is something many younger workers are looking for.

Companies should also focus on providing a good work-life balance. It can be difficult for drivers to be away from their families for long periods of time, and carriers should not abuse their willingness to be on the road. Drivers should have the flexibility to be able to come home and spend time with their kids if that’s what they value. Of course, a driver knows that he will be on the road when he signs up for the job, but he is more likely to continue performing at a high level if his job doesn’t interfere with his ability to enjoy life.

Other small incentives can work wonders. A hundred dollar reward to drivers for getting a load delivered quicker than expected is a great incentive. Gift cards or tickets to sports events also show truckers how much you appreciate their hard work. Little rewards go a long way to keeping morale up.

It’s important that driver motivation should come from within. However, the more carriers can align their goals with those of the drivers, the more successful they will be. The more prepared drivers are for the future, the more they’ll understand the importance of hard work. When they realize the reward at the end of the road, they may find more motivation throughout their career. At Zip Xpress, we treat our drivers with the utmost respect, and we do everything we can to ensure they can have time to be with their families. We take the extra steps in coordinating the delivery to make our driver’s job as simple as possible. To see how our drivers can help with your next shipment, get started with Zip Xpress today!

/ By Zip Xpress / Sustainability/ 0 Comments

The Benefits of Headload and Partial Shipments

Transporting goods continues to become more expensive thanks to new laws and a dire shortage of truck drivers. Capacity is on a constant decline. There are more candidates entering the truckload workforce, but the influx of workers hasn’t offset the demand for trucks. These issues have been costly for shippers, but there are multiple strategies to alleviate the stress that decreased capacity has put on transportation customers. One such strategy is utilizing headload and partial truckloads rather than moving all shipments as full truckloads.

Partial Truckloads Tendered as Full Truckloads

Many customers make the common mistake that the most cost-effective method is to ship the freight as a full truckload – even if it only takes up half of a trailer. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. In many cases – especially on cross-country runs – finding partial or headload solutions will be cheaper than LTL rates with common carriers. Here at Zip Xpress we offer competitive rates and provide superior service with our headload hauls by consolidating our shipments and minimizing terminal transfers.

When shippers employ a truck driver to haul a partial load as a full shipment, they are driving rates up across the country by contributing to the tight capacity shortage. They are also adding to the wear and tear of our highways since an excessive number of trucks are being put to work. If customers take a strong look at their truck usage, they may find that they are not working at maximum efficiency levels. Utilizing partial and headload shipping options can be a substantial cost-saver as well as help shippers to better coordinate their production and transportation schedules. To see how we can utilize our headload shipping service with your business, get started with Zip Xpress today!

supply chain risk
/ By Zip Xpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Risk Management in Logistics

Logistics is an industry that requires strong risk management. There is a lot of uncertainty in logistics, particularly with timely deliveries, so it’s vital for companies to plan ahead to reduce the risk of failure. With capacity becoming tighter in the current market and only getting worse in upcoming quarters, there are many things that shippers can do to develop their risk management strategies. Our goal is to bring you superior planning skills and attention to detail when it comes to managing the risk of your product.

Managing costs is a major pain point for shippers and customers as truckload rates experience high levels of volatility in today’s market. Zip Xpress tries to alleviate the burden of these increasing costs by offering a variety of headload solutions including expedites high value or sensitive handling and crew waiting shipment. What these mean that the customer only pays for the space they need. It’s important to save as much money as possible when shipping partial loads, and the headload solution is a great way to allocate the correct funds while benefiting from fast, reliable service.

With minimal handling throughout the shipping process, Zip Xpress reduces a customer’s risk of lost or damaged freight. They provide direct, door-to-door deliveries on air-ride trailers, so customers can be assured that their shipment is in good hands. Instead of being shuffled through countless terminals,

The experienced professionals at Zip Xpress are detail-oriented, making sure to pay attention to every line of the BOL and confirm that all of the information is verified. Seemingly inconsequential inaccuracies can cause major disruptions in your service to the customer, and Zip makes every effort to eradicate these errors before they even happen. This dedication to risk management and efficient shipping processes is what makes Zip Xpress such a respected organization in the transportation world. To learn more about how Zip can manage your supply chain’s risk, get started with Zip Xpress today!

Holland Trucking ltl
/ By Zip Xpress / Miscellaneous/ 0 Comments

ELD and the Unending Detention Struggle

With the ELD mandate in full effect across the nation, carriers are getting more accustomed to stricter hours and regulations. While plenty of struggles occurred across the board, they have died down and it has gone back to business as usual for most carriers. However, there is one consistent pain point for shippers and carriers alike that is made even more difficult by the ELD mandate. This is the issue of detention, which has long been a source of contention between manufacturers and trucking companies.

Due to the restrictions of the mandate, drivers are on tighter schedules than ever before. Being detained by a shipper for even a few extra minutes can be the difference between on-time delivery and showing up several days late due to shut-down regulations and strict appointments at receiving warehouses. While most carriers have detention pay outlined in their contracts with shippers, it’s usually not enough to offset the loss of another load if the detention takes place. This means that drivers are often at the mercy of the warehouse in order to remain profitable or to get the load that will bring them back home.

Communication is key to solving the widespread problems caused by detention. Carriers, brokers, and manufacturers all need to agree upon loading and unloading times ahead of schedule. Drivers must provide constant updates so warehouses can accommodate for deliveries that are missed due to traffic or weather. Shippers and receivers should maintain a strict focus on doing their job as efficiently as possible. It doesn’t help their overall effectiveness to make a driver sit in line for hours just because he showed up a few minutes late. The new ELD mandate is about stringency, but when it comes to the workers that are affected by it, flexibility is one of our most valuable assets. To learn how we can make your shipment efficient and effortless, get started with Zip Xpress today!

Coordinating Freight Delivery
/ By Zip Xpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Coordinating Delivery with New Businesses

In Part 4 of our New Business Series, we discuss the importance of coordinating delivery for your business. You want your business to be reliable, a company that your customers can trust. We help make that happen by working with you and your customer, making the delivery of your Unique Freight as seamless as possible. 

Those who have worked in the shipping industry for any significant amount of time know that it is far more complicated and involved than the average person may think. However, when it comes to customers, their opinion of a logistics provider basically boils down to one question: Do they pick up and deliver on time? No matter what happens throughout the life of the shipment, carriers are evaluated by their on-time delivery rates. One often-overlooked area of this is the coordination of pickups and deliveries.

In some cases, a carrier can receive an order and simply pick up and deliver at any time they see fit. These 24/7, first come first serve facilities are nice and simple to worth with, but the reality is that they are rare. In general, carriers need to either set their appointments or abide by those set by the customer. In the case that the customer sets the appointments, the carrier should perform their due diligence in confirming the dates and times with the warehouses and checking to see if there are any specific pickup or delivery instructions. Just like in any industry, being prepared ahead of time can help alleviate any problems that may occur down the line.

Zip Xpress does everything they can to cover all the bases on every shipment, from coordinating delivery to building trust by making every interaction professional and friendly. Any time there are special requirements such as needing to arrange for a loading or unloading crew, the professionals at Zip make it a priority to represent your business well as a touch point for your customers. This attention to detail and emphasis on caring about the customer’s problems is what sets Zip apart. Anybody can pick up a shipment, but it takes a quality team of experts to prioritize customer service in the way that Zip Xpress does. To coordinate a delivery for your shipment, please get started with Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Freight Delivery
/ By Zip Xpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

How to Fill out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

In Part 3 of our New Business Series, we explain the importance of the Bill of Lading (BOL) which is one of the most important shipping documents. This will help you build an efficient supply chain for your growing business. You can find the other posts in this series at the bottom of the post.

A properly filled Bill of Lading is a necessary document for any shipment, providing all pertinent information about locations, parties involved, and specific shipping directions. Generally, a Bill of Lading seems pretty straightforward. However, a small error or oversight can cause major headaches down the line, so it is important to pay careful attention when filling out a BOL. New customers may be intimidated by filling out a BOL, but it is a relatively simple practice that becomes easier with time and experience. Just like any professional document, the most important part is to pay attention and double check all of the information.

The shipper and consignee addresses should be analyzed with care. One wrong digit in the zip code could cause delays in pickup or delivery, so they should be double checked every time, even if the software fills them in automatically. Moving too fast with auto-fill may accidentally bring up an entirely different location in another state. When left unfixed, this can mean there will be reconsignment delays and fees down the line. Taking a few seconds to scan the information is far easier than re-routing a truck and talking to angry customers or vendors.

A shipper does not need to fill out a PRO number – that’s the carrier’s job – but they should provide a PO number and BOL number that matches their records. Upon pickup of the freight, the carrier will provide a PRO number, and customers need to document this for tracking and billing purposes. Much like with shipper and consignee information, any reference numbers should be double-checked and recorded with care. This makes tracking, searching, and filing more efficient. A missed or incorrect digit means that the file will have to be searched manually, which takes much more time.

The Bill of Lading is very important, but it doesn’t need to be scary. Avoiding errors is as simple as double checking and paying attention to detail. Taking a moment at the beginning of the process will make for smoother sailing throughout the life of the shipment. It is important to remember that this is a binding document and should be treated as such. If you still need assistance with the BOL, feel free to reach out to our expert staff at Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

Shipping Options for Small Business
/ By Zip Xpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

In Part 2 of our New Business series, we go further in depth of the services that Zip Xpress provides to their customers. Our goal is to provide an overview, but if you wish to get the best recommendations for your business please contact Zip Xpress directly (1-800-889-8583) and one of our consultants will be happy to help you! 

Whether you are a small business new to shipping or a large international company, it isn’t always clear which shipping solutions you should use for all of your loads. Zip Xpress is here to help make things clear with a wide range of customer-focused solutions. We want to give you a better understanding of these options and help you in choose the best for your organization.

Expedited LTL Solution

You may be preparing a shipment that you know has to be expedited once it’s finished. On the other hand, you might have an emergency that requires a truck immediately and needs to be sent cross-country as quickly as possible. In either case, you can benefit from using our Expedited LTL Solution. We will do everything in our power to get your shipment picked up and delivered in the timeframe that you require.

Blanket Wrap Solution

If you have fragile, expensive freight that requires special care in handling and transport, choose our Blanket Wrap Solution. Our experts are professionally trained at handling delicate freight. Every one of our blanket wrapped shipments is put on an air-ride logistics trailer, ensuring a smooth ride and extra protection from potential shifting. With door-to-door delivery, you can rest assured knowing that your freight is only being handled at the front and back end, reducing the chance of damage caused by multiple terminal stops.

Headload Solution

If you have an LTL or partial shipment that requires truckload service but don’t have the budget for a dedicated truck, our Headload Solution is the answer for you. You will pay only for the space your load takes up as you will be matched with similar shipments traveling in your direction. Whether your shipment is high-value, time-sensitive, or requires special handling, we can accommodate your needs with our Headload option.

LTL Solution

Standard LTL shipments are low-cost options for shipments that aren’t on a strict timeline. If you have a flexible schedule, you can receive great cost savings with our LTL Solution. Zip Xpress sets itself apart from other LTL carriers by offering faster transit times and reducing the number of terminals and handling that is involved in every shipment. If you need to save money but still want reliable, friendly service, try our LTL Solution.

No matter what your shipping problem is, Zip Xpress has an answer for you. With our professional, friendly, and courteous staff, you can expect to receive the highest quality service for any of your needs. We are available 24/7 and promise to provide you with the right solution in a fast, efficient, and effective way.

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 1: I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

How to start shipping
/ By Zip Xpress / Custom Carrier Solutions/ 0 Comments

I Just Got a Huge Order, Now What Do I Do?

This is Part 1 of a series which we’re dedicating to growing businesses who need help in setting up their supply chain. Other companies expect you to figure this out on your own, but Zip is dedicated to bringing you the best customer service the logistics world can offer.

In the world of transportation, it can be difficult to handle large, unexpected orders. This is especially true if the freight is specialized or fragile. Shippers must determine what the most effective route to take is when it comes to their supply chain. Packaging for specialized orders can be expensive, but if they skimp on costs there, they may end up with damage claims that will cost them more in the long run. Fortunately, Zip Xpress is striving to do everything it can to take some of the pressure off of new businesses who want to streamline their supply chain processes.

The packaging concern is one that must be evaluated by each and every customer. It is beneficial to do a cost analysis to see if the prevented damage is worth the increased cost in packaging. In some cases, a shipper may decide that the small amount of damage they incur will actually be cheaper than putting expensive packaging on every shipment. Zip’s door-to-door delivery model helps to reduce the likelihood of damage thanks to the fact that they don’t handle the freight through break bulks. The reduced amount of handling and transferring of freight allows Zip to keep their customer’s freight intact from beginning to end. Still, it is important for customers to determine the proper dimensions and weight of their shipments in order to give an accurate representation to the carrier. This helps Zip to better plan, prepare, and execute their shipments in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

Once Zip has this information, they make it a priority to coordinate the shipping and receiving schedules based on their customer’s needs. A customer can help move this process along by having all the pertinent information available when they send an order Zip’s way. The professionals at Zip will start the planning process and do everything they can to route the freight quickly and correctly.  Whether the shipment is a single pallet or an entire truckload, effective and proactive communication is vital to forming a working and successful relationship between the carrier and the customer. To learn more about what solutions we can provide your business, get started with Zip Xpress today!

To read the other posts in our New Business Series:

Part 2: Which Shipping Solution is Right for My Business?

Part 3: How to Fill Out the Bill of Lading (BOL)

Part 4: Coordinating Delivery For Your Business

West MI CDL School
/ By Zip Xpress / Miscellaneous/ 0 Comments

The Rising Importance of CDL Training

Many colleges offer programs in logistics and supply chain management. As the industry continues to grow, we will continue to see more universities creating and improving their supply chain programs. However, one thing lacking from these programs is training for Commercial Driver’s Licenses or CDL. With more jobs in the business end of the supply chain, we cannot afford to lose the influx of truck drivers in the economy. There is already a shortage in the industry, and the efficiency of a supply chain system or logistics operation will not succeed without plenty of drivers. These workers serve as the backbone of the industry, providing the service of physically delivering the freight after it has been routed and agreed upon.

In order to drive a semi-truck, one must first obtain their CDL. Many companies offer the training, and third parties can be utilized as well. However, with so many universities offering degrees in Supply Chain Management, it may be beneficial for them to also offer training for the CDL. In this regard, it may be smart for other states to take after Georgia’s High Demand Career Initiative, which allows residents of the state to take CDL courses at local colleges free of charge. This may be the extra push that many people need in order to pursue their career as a truck driver.

A CDL is not the right path for everyone but encouraging an increase in the amount of truck drivers will benefit the economy as a whole. Demand for products continues to rise and with that demand the country needs more hard workers to transport our goods. Not only will an influx of truck drivers alleviate capacity issues, it may also improve pricing and reliability across the industry as a whole. As supply chain solutions and logistics technology becomes more efficient, we need truck drivers to deliver on the final step of our transportation processes. To learn more about smarter shipping, get started with Zip Xpress today!

/ By Zip Xpress / Miscellaneous/ 0 Comments

Michigan – A Central Hub for Logistics Education

A recent article boasted about Georgia’s innovative logistics environment, so we did some research on what Michigan had to offer the field. We learned a lot about logistics and supply chain management college programs and that Michigan State University scored as the top school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. This makes sense when one considers that Michigan is a transportation hub in general, with many leading logistics companies providing their services throughout the state. Midwestern states provide a central location for shipping companies, and as a result, provide innovative schooling on the subject.

In addition to Michigan State University, the University of Michigan also boasts a top 10 supply chain program, coming in at number 10 on Michigan Business’s list of top nationwide schools for the subject. With so many jobs available in supply chain efficiency and logistics operations, these schools can have a major impact on not only Michigan’s economy but also the health of the entire nation. Michigan serves as a major center for cross-border shipments with Canada, which means there’s a lot at stake for international trade as well.

With a strategic focus on the development of its own logistics and supply chain program, Michigan is providing top-tier education for many young people looking to get into the field. These students represent the future of the industry, so it is encouraging that they are learning from the top programs that the nation has to offer. Because Michigan’s economic development relies so heavily on an efficient transportation network, these future logistics gurus could be key in creating new jobs and helping the state maintain its status as a transportation stronghold. The continual improvement of supply chain education in Michigan is helping to establish our state as a true leader in the industry.