As a third-party logistics (3PL) company, we are here to help your business. We consider ourselves an extension of your team, a partner. As you grow and evolve, we grow and evolve right alongside you. From expanding your brand from retail to offering direct-to-consumer fulfillment to drayage and port services, we’ve got you covered. Discover more about #TeamTaylor by clicking the below links.
On Dec. 6 and 7, the beverage industry will gather in person in Santa Monica, CA, to learn and take action at BevNet Live! Team Taylor will be there, and we want to talk with you! We are here for you if you have any questions or want to chat on areas of interest in fulfillment, packaging, eCommerce, operations, supply chain, and logistics. Are you going to BevNet Live? Let us know!
Cincinnati, OH — November 30, 2021 — Third-party logistics company Taylor Logistics Inc. held its second annual carrier of the Year Awards program, recognizing its most outstanding North American carrier. This unique awards program recognizes carriers that go above and beyond by displaying the highest level of service, operational excellence and establishing quality relationships with Taylor. We are proud to announce that Gilco Agent Group is this years Carrier of the Year.
“Gilco truly cares, and it shows they are a true partner to Taylor, helping our customers day in and day out. They are always available for last-minute coverage, follow through with each commitment and provide solutions should issue arise” said Brian Remole, Taylor Logistics Inc. “We especially want to celebrate those who not only keep our country moving in these uncertain times but those who also go above and beyond what’s asked of them. Our 2021 Carrier of the Year is the best example of reliable, high-quality carriers that make up our network.”
The carrier presented with this award was chosen from the company’s unmatched network of 50,000 carriers and was determined based on an evaluation of each company’s carrier scorecard performance – a rating system that evaluates carrier performance in quality, extraordinary partnership, operational excellence, on-time performance, and customer service – and input from Taylor senior leadership.
CINCINNATI, Taylor Logistics Inc. (TLI), a third-party logistics provider, was ranked amongst the Greater Cincinnati’s Largest Logistics Firms by the Cincinnati Business Courier (CBC). Top logistics provider
Each year CBC runs an auditing survey ranking all logistics firms in the area on different criteria, including local full-time employees and the previous year’s revenue.
Taylor is proud to be listed as the fourth largest logistics firm in great company with other top providers.
Halloween is this weekend; pumpkin-spiced everything has been taking up menu real estate at your local coffee shop for some time, and turkey is right around the corner. So not only is it the start of the holiday season, but it’s also the start of peak shipping season. Our experts give pointers on how to succeed during this busy season and how 2021 is already shaping up differently from years past.
What is peak season shipping?
There are four seasons of freight shipping and the peak season of shipping starts at the end of the summer. This time is considered a peak shipping season because there is a combination of demand from different markets. Businesses start stocking up for the upcoming holiday season, there is back-to-school shopping time, and retailers try to sell out their inventories from the summer season. During this peak time, freight rates are at the highest, and the capacity is tight.
What are the four seasons of freight shipping?
The Quiet Shipping Season (January – March)
The Produce Shipping Season (April – July)
The Peak Shipping Season (August – October)
The Holiday Shipping Season (November – December)
How to be successful throughout the peak shipping season
Knowing the market
The key to navigating peak shipping season is to understand the truckload demand and market specifics across various industries. In 2020, demand was low, and freight rates were higher than usual. In 2021 however, shippers are less cost-sensitive, and freight volumes are extremely hot. If you plan to work with high-quality carriers, start navigating the market during spring and early summer. Create a proper shipping strategy to help you define the market trends and successfully ship goods.
During the peak shipping season, you need every advantage you can get! Here’s an example, you can efficiently utilize a transportation management system (TMS) to optimize route planning and ensure efficient deliveries. You can also use other supply chain technology to automate warehousing processes and inventory control, providing up-to-the-minute data on your entire operation.
Work with reliable a 3PL
Reliable 3PL here, and we will make sure you have fast and reliable shipping services. Our team knows that freight, more often than not, is time-sensitive, and capacity can be tight. So we work with a wide variety of professional, high-quality carriers to ensure your products are delivered timely and with ease.
This update is a report that analyzes data from multiple sources, including but not limited to FreightWaves SONAR, DAT, American Shipper, Morgan Stanley Research, FTR Transportation Intelligence, Journal of Commerce, and National Retail Federation(NRF).
The broken record phrase of “freight volumes continue to rise” is still in play. The current Outbound Tender Volume Index is roughly 3% higher year-over-year (YOY). We get that 3% might sound and look like a minimal increase but keep in mind volumes were accelerating quickly over the last several months of 2020. So while the comps are more challenging as we get into the more difficult months of 2021, the volumes are still dominating what they were a year ago. Our team is digesting the 2021 peak season and the factors that are currently influencing the market.
Ports Delays Continue to Rise
Many anticipated a slowdown in import activity, as ports are overburdened with operations and equipment trying to keep up with the constant influx of ships waiting to unload their cargo. But that is hardly the case. While the numbers fluctuate from day to day, there were 70 container ships in the queue on Monday in late September 2021, with a total capacity of 432,909 twenty-foot equivalent units. To put the vastness of that number in perspective, that’s more than the inbound container volume the Port of Long Beach handled in the entire month of August. It’s roughly what Charleston handles inbound in four months and what Savannah handles in two. So why the boom? Well, consumers are spending. eCommerce, a rise in CPG, the upcoming holiday season are driving demand for imported goods, requiring ships for transportation.
What happens when the cargo finally reaches the port? First, available trucks will flock to these locations due to the increased pay possibilities that this freight represents. Second, shippers and retailers waiting for their long-dormant freight will pay above-market rates to get their goods rushed directly to their destinations.
Consumers Buying Trends Continue to Increase
Consumer goods have encountered extensive growth since the start of the pandemic, and there are no signs of this trend slowing down. Employment numbers, a reliable predictor of spending, are the strongest since March of last year. While consumer spending did not need employment numbers to remain elevated for the past year, a more stable job market bodes well for the economic outlook and trends to continue. In August, consumer spending bounced back from a mid-summer lull. During the past month, it jumped .8% after a decline of .1% in July. Moreover, income rose by .2% as consumer prices increased by .4%.
Partner With a Logistics Solutions Provider to Navigate Peak Season
Our team is here for you. No matter the situation, we’ve got your back.
We are here as your partner — we are an extension of your team with a clear understanding of our responsibility to replicate the strategic business goals of your organization. No matter the size of your business, we help our customers achieve the best possible freight outcomes and decrease overall costs.
CINCINNATI — Taylor Logistics Inc. (TLI), a Cincinnati-based third-party logistics company, announced plans to open another public fulfillment center outside Cincinnati later this month. At 5257 E Provident Dr. in Cincinnati, Ohio, the new location will be the companies third public multi-client warehouse in Cincinnati. Their headquarters (World Park 1) is positioned just down the street at 9756 International Blvd and World Park 2 on the same road at 10095 International Blvd.
“Our customized solutions, time-sensitive scalability, and technology have proven we are not merely a vendor for our customers but a partner, a team,” said Director of Warehouse Operations AJ Raaker. “This new addition for team Taylor is perfectly positioned for any business’s supply chain; Cincinnati’s ever-changing industry landscape and proximity to the consumer makes 5257 the perfect spot; here we grow, again!”
The brand new 130,000 square foot warehouse located on Provident Dr. is conveniently positioned next to two major interstates, rail ports, and cargo hubs. The Cincinnati/N. Kentucky International Airport is located 30 miles south via I-75/I-275, CVG, DHL, Amazon Prime Air. Being true to our food, beverage, flavoring, and pet food partners, this new building will be in Taylor standard as food grade.
Brand New Building | 5257 E Provident Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
About Taylor Logistics, Inc.
Taylor Logistics Inc. is the Nation’s Most Progressive Family Owned logistics company. From their founding in 1850 to today, Taylor is currently in sixth and seventh-generation ownership. Taylor’s passion is finding solutions for their customers through their various services. From warehousing both contract and public, freight brokerage, packaging, kitting, drayage, and trucking. All of which are customizable and technology-driven. Their 170 years of logistics experience have proven that they are not merely a vendor for your company – they are an extension of your team with a clear understanding of our responsibility to replicate your organization’s strategic business goals.
First things first, let’s define what it means to be nimble.
nim·ble | /?nimb?l/ | adjective
Quick and light in movement or action; agile.
It might not be a term you use in everyday jargon, but hey, it’s a great word, and it translates exceptionally to the eCommerce supply chain world. How? Well, nimbleness relates to how quickly an eCommerce business can adjust to ever-changing expectations in speed and delivery. To maintain customer expectations, stay competitive, and grow, a nimble supply chain must also react promptly to delays, changes, and unexpected consumer patterns.
In this riveting blog post, you will learn how critical it is for your supply chain to be nimble, what it means for your business, plus some strategies and best practices to improve your eCommerce supply chain.
What does it mean to have a nimble supply chain?
Having a nimble supply chain means how quickly and efficiently an eCommerce company can react to consumer trends and market changes. It also relates to the ability to forecast, maintain, and bounce back from unforeseen events. Here are some ways to create a nimble supply chain:
Optimize and improve logistics operations efficiently
Working with an amazing 3PL (cough, cough, Taylor)
Gain visibility into operations and real-time access data
Quickly implement the latest technology and automation
How to meet and exceed market demands
We’ve said market and consumer trends six times by now. But, for a good reason, one of the most significant benefits of having a nimble supply chain is that it enables you to consistently meet customer demand around fast, affordable shipping, despite fluctuations in order volume. To develop supply chain “nimbleness,” a company needs to consider different ways to guarantee customer satisfaction despite possible disruptions or sudden changes in the market. Here are some examples of staying on the cusp of consumer trends by having a nimble supply chain:
Integrating logistics automation and technology
Working with an amazing 3PL (cough, cough, Taylor)
Having a mix of parcel carriers
Cut costs
One essential part of running a successful eCommerce operation is finding ways to optimize logistics costs, including:
Warehousing and storage fees
Labor
Order fulfillment
Shipping + parcel costs
There are several ways you can optimize costs and keep your business nimble from sourcing products closer to home to reduce transportation costs to using an excellent 3PL partner like Taylor.
Get a 3PL partner
Cough, cough Taylor. But in all seriousness operating your own warehouse network, investing in technology, and improving operations is highly time-consuming and costly, and it doesn’t always directly tie to driving revenue. Taylor is a solutions-based third-party logistics provider that offers a full suite of supply chain services like fulfillment, packaging, kitting, FBA/FBM, transportation, drayage, and shipping. Partnering with #TeamTaylor can help you worry less about making your supply chain nimble, so you can focus more time on other initiatives, such as generating sales, product development, and marketing.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020.
Join #TeamTaylor! While we might be a logistics company, we’re in the solutions business. Founded in 1850, we’re backed by a rich history that’s to this day is family-owned and operated and is the logistics backbone for many of today’s most innovative and growing companies. To double down on that success, we’re looking for highly driven and detail-oriented individuals looking to add value, solve problems and join our team. If that’s you, help us reshape logistics.
At Taylor, we know your products have important places to be, like a child’s 5th birthday, signing the papers for a new car, running a marathon, or happy hour. We’re here to help make sure they get there, from getting your products to Whole Foods or Ralphs to creating multipacks so people can enjoy more of your brand. We help brands explode & we go where you need us. We are your supply chain management experts.
The talk of freight, logistics, and supply chain publications has been port congestion. It’s a trending topic and issue for several shippers. From the recent Chinese Lunar New Year to the Covid-19 pandemic, several factors have contributed to the congestion in 2020 and into this year. Port congestion is not over yet for America’s largest gateways. Record import levels could extend through the first half of 2021, according to the National Retail Foundation (NRF). In this post, our team covers the cause of this congestion, the services that can help bypass a possible jam, and our team’s tips and tricks.
What’s the cause of this Congestion?
You could say there’s been a lack of planning and forecasting. This season has been more stringent than others because of the pandemic, excess volume, and the vessel alliances omitting and consolidating ports. For various reasons, it’s creating this large logjam.
Southern California Ports
The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports have been accentuated with the rapid increase in imports since June of 2021. Some difficulties they have encountered are vessel bunching at the port, congestion at the marine terminals, lack of operators and chassis, and warehouse capacity. These ports have both announced initiatives that they will enact to decrease congestion at the terminals currently and moving forward throughout the year.
New York and New Jersey Ports
The New York and New Jersey ports have been experiencing similar issues as the Southern California ports. These two are the largest US gateways receiving imports of eCommerce goods, personal protective equipment (PPE), and home improvement goods during the pandemic.
Some Tips For Navigating Port Congestion:
Can Transloading Help?
Transloading can be great, especially in Seattle/Tacoma, to certain parts of the US. There are direct points from Seattle/Tacoma to Chicago, Minneapolis, and the Ohio Valley that can offer faster transit times. Domestic trailers move daily, versus maybe weekly for ocean containers, so congestion inland isn’t as bad for domestic containers. Often transloading pricing is very competitive from port to door. Learn more about Taylor’s port-to-door services here.
Use an Asset-Based Drayage Team
A partner that owns its chassis can be ideal when dealing with port congestion. Rentals can become unpredictable when ports are jammed; partnering with an asset-based provider will help boost capacity.
Remain in close contact with your 3PL!
This way, you are notified immediately of any opportunities for getting your product where it needs to go.
If you are currently importing cargo via the US Port terminals and are tired of delays, inbox Team Taylor; we are happy to work out a different routing plan and schedule with you to optimize your shipping practices. Our team is vastly experienced with imports and exports and is well equipped to create a solution plan for your company. Please fill out the form below to chat with us or email us at info@taylorlog.com!
Are you a new business owner that needs to ship your products to your customer? Or has your business grown to the point where you’re going to start shipping? Or are you already shipping freight but want to do so more efficiently with a better understanding of the process? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this guide and our team are here for you. It will introduce you to the freight shipping industry and get you the information you need to ship like a pro!
LTL
LTL stands for “less than truckload,” which means that your shipment will take up less than an entire truckload. Makes sense, right? Typically, this means your cargo will weigh between 100 and 10,000 pounds. LTL is the most popular type of freight shipment, and it’s also the most cost-effective form of road transportation. Why? Because the cost of your shipment will be shared with other LTL freight shipments, and you only pay for the space in the truck that you need.
There are four pieces of information that you must-have for a standard LTL quote:
Origin Zip Code: The origin zip code is the zip code where the freight will be picked up.
Destination Zip Code: The destination zip code is the opposite of the origin zip, in that it’s the zip code where the freight will be delivered. Once again, this is the actual delivery address location, not the city or terminal zip code.
Total Weight: This weight includes any packaging or palletizing that is needed to make the freight ready to ship. Ensure that your weights are exact, as carriers will use industrial shipping scales to make sure the weight claimed on the BOL matches the actual weight of the shipment.
Freight Class: There’s a lot more to dive into here, see below!
Understanding Freight Class
Freight class is a standardized system used by carriers to categorize freight for pricing purposes. There are two ways to determine fright class – NMFC codes and density.
NMFC-Based Freight Class
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), a nonprofit membership organization of motor carriers, uses the National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC) system to determine freight class. NFMC codes are assigned a freight class, which is a number between 50 and 500. This number determines an item’s “transportability” and is generated using four factors:
STOWABILITY: Determined by its ability to be stowed or transported in relation to other pieces of freight on the truck. There is no number-based scale to determine the item’s stowability, and this element of freight class is somewhat subjective.
HANDLING: There is no scale to determine this per commodity. Items that are fragile or have larger than standard dimensions are often at higher risk to the carriers, so their handling level will ultimately lead to higher freight classes.
LIABILITY: Takes into account the probability of the freight shipment being damaged, stolen, or damaging other adjacent freight.
DENSITY: Density is used to find a density-based freight class, while an NMFC code is used to find an NMFC-based freight class. It’s a general rule of thumb that the lower the item’s density, the higher the freight class. If you know your cargo’s NMFC number or can provide accurate weights and dimensions when calculating its density, you will be able to determine the freight class, which best represents your freight.
Density is so crucial in LTL; why?
An object’s density is the measurement of its compactness or pounds per cubic foot (PCF). Your shipment density will dictate how much space your freight shipment will require in a truck or shipping container. With LTL shipping, space is significant because your cargo is being transported along with other freight. When you ship your freight via LTL, you share both the truck and the cost of shipping on that truck with other shippers – which is why LTL is one of the most economical shipping methods.
PTL
PTL stands for “partial truckload.” Even in this case, the name is pretty much-clarifying things that, in this kind of load, the load will be as less as half of the entire truck. A load of 8 or more pallets comes under this. Now, in this scenario, you need not book a full truck for this; otherwise, you will be paying full money for half the amount of delivery. In this scenario, you can share the truck with other customers that means you both will share the fare of the truck for your respective halves according to all the factors that affect the rates of freight, including weight and type of freight.
FTL or TL
FTL/ TL means “full truckload or truckload”. Full truckload shipping is the ideal method if you have a large shipment that will fill an entire trailer or at least exceed the volume LTL options. Typically full truckload shipping costs more than LTL shipping. However, the benefits of FTL might outweigh that cost. With FTL shipping, the truck goes directly from Point A to Point B without any stops, making transportation times shorter.
Expedited Freight
This refers to time-sensitive shipments in which freight has to be delivered within a particular time frame. Expedited freight is most often transported by truck or air. Trucks shipping expedited freight rarely stop along the way to deliver or pick up shipments, making the expedited shipment the priority. Expedited shipments are both large and small, from parcels to pallets to a full truckload of freight.
Air Freight
Companies that work with short lead times and require their packages to be transported as quickly as possible often choose air freight. Air freight is a relatively safe mode of transport, and it decreases supplier lead times while improving the overall level of service.
Rail Transport
Rail transportation is an excellent solution for domestic or intercontinental transport, especially for bulky goods. It is a safe and reliable mode of transport that offers fast delivery at a cost-effective price point, and it is also more environmentally-friendly than air and road alternatives. Plus, rail freight doesn’t add to traffic and roadway congestion like other modes of transportation.
Talk With Taylor
If you are seeking logistics support, we’d love to hear from you. You can head over to services to learn more or check out the many industries we work with to ensure top of the line logistics solutions. Send us a note to connect about how we can help your company grow!
It’s no secret that the transportation industry is heavily dependent on supply and demand. Every year holds uncertainty from consumer trends to the ups and downs of the market; however, there is always a forecasted plan for the seasons of freight. Like fall, winter, spring, and summer, the transportation industry also has four seasons. Below are the four seasons to the to freight shipping.
January – March
It’s a new year; the holidays are past us, and freight volume is on the decline. Not to mention these months are the peak of winter, the frigid temperatures and snowy roadways are not shipping-friendly. Typically during these months logistics companies are recovering from holiday shipping. Freight volume will start to progress as the months approach the spring season.
April – July
With the arrival of spring, the produce season begins. Freight volumes will increase, and carriers have more loads to choose from allowing them to pick and choose different loads. With carriers being pickier, finding trucks become more challenging, and rates increase. In certain parts of the United States, the capacity and shipping rates change significantly for non-produce shippers, as carriers are massively switching to high-paying produce loads.
August – October
Produce season has come to an end; however, the hecticness doesn’t stop here. It’s now time to prepare for back to school season and to start planning for the upcoming holidays. During these months, sales are typically up, and companies are rapidly shipping products in and out of their facilities to ensure all inventory is ready for the holidays. Rates are still climbing, and freight volumes are towering.
November – December
Happy Holidays! It’s that time of year again; companies are rushing to complete last-minute purchase requests before the holiday closures. The new year is rapidly approaching, and no one wants to leave freight behind and drag it into the new year. The roads start to get busy with people taking time off for long weekends, holiday gatherings, and vacation time. It’s a time that needs to be carefully planned as last-minute items can pop up, and delays are likely.
Talk With Taylor
Our team is continuously on top of marketing changes and forecasted trends. Knowing the four seasons of transportation freight is just the beginning of our expertise. Let us be your transportation advisor. Chat with us!
Dry van shipping is one of the most popular and widely trusted freight transportation solutions available. It has remained a preferred means of transportation due to the vast availability and numerous benefits of having an enclosed trailer throughout the shipping process. Here’s our guide on everything you need to know about dry van freight.
What is Dry Van Freight?
A dry van refers to a fully enclosed semi-trailer designed to safeguard shipments from the elements, dirt and debris, and any other things that could compromise the products. They are designed to transport bulk, palletized products, and can be loose freight or boxed freight. Dry van shipping is the most common form of freight transport in the United States. Unlike refrigerated trucks and ships, dry van shipping vehicles contain no temperature-control equipment.
Types Of Dry Van Trailers
Dry van trailers are available in various sizes and materials. The maximum length allowed for a dry van trailer is 53 feet long. The two most popular types of dry van trailers are general trailers and pup trailers. General dry van trailers are 53-feet long, whereas the pup dry van trailers are 26-29 feet long.
When Do Shippers Use Dry Vans?
Shippers utilize dry van trailers for both short-distance and regional deliveries, in addition to long-distance over the road shipping. Dry van trailers are versatile and can manage several different freight types, consisting of non-perishable food, developing products, and more. Here are some examples:
Textile, clothing items, electronic devices, plastic, automobiles, motorcycles, minibusses, other vehicles, and parts of larger machines like planes and ships. Home products, furnishings, and electronics.
4 Factors that Affect Dry Van Freight Rates
Location
Dry van freight rates are impacted heavily on the pickup location and delivery location. The path from the pickup to the delivery is called the lane, and different lanes will go for different rates. Even if two lanes are the same distance, they can be different amounts.
The Freight Being Shipped
The freight itself will also affect the dry van rates when shipping with the weight of the freight’s most significant factor. This is simply because the heavier something is, the more gas it is going to use to ship it, and therefore, the more it is going to cost. The density of the freight also affects the rate. You want to compact your packaging as much as possible because a smaller and denser package will take up smaller space and has a lower risk of causing damage.
Current Supply and Demand
Supply and demand affect the price of everything, and the rates for full truckload shipping is no exception. The supply element in the transportation industry is the trucks available, or capacity. The fewer drivers available, the more that they can charge the shipper. These shortages may be temporary and fix themselves over time or could be a larger scale. The best way to counter a change in rates due to capacity is to, once again, establish a contracted rate with your shipping partner.
Unforeseen Events
The fourth factor and final factor that can impact the rate of dry van freight is some unique event, such as a natural disaster. These events can cause the closing of warehouses, factories, or even roads. Unfortunately, you cannot plan around these rare situations. During these times, it may not be possible to get a truck to the pickup or destination.
Talk With Taylor
Taylor can handle all of your dry van commodities needs. You can rely on us for capacity and a reliable network to deliver your commodities on time and damage-free. We provide flexibility and reliable service with the customized freight solutions you need to meet your supply chain’s demands. Talk with Team Taylor today by filling out the form below
A supply chain is a sequence of tasks that must be undertaken to distribute a commodity. When a company needs to gauge its supply chain performance, it uses a range of different supply chain metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Each KPI provides a slightly different vision of one slice of the supply chain. You might be asking, “What Key Performance Indicators should I measure to improve my supply chain? Here are the main KPIs in both the transportation and warehousing realms that are the most commonly reported for our customers.
Transportation
On-Time Delivery: Shows the carriers ability to deliver successfully on time to their scheduled required arrival date or to the appointment time. Having an accurate on-time delivery is critical for your client to avoid fees, as they may be subject to fees from big-box retailers.
Cost Management: Optimizing a transportation budget through KPI use is more than just tracking costs and expenses. KPIs are essential factors to discuss during freight contract negotiations and help determine if service levels are being met. This metric puts focus on these charges and helps to pinpoint the recurrence of key incidences. Problems or issues may be monitored and resolved swiftly to avoid any unnecessary fees and ultimately lower your transportation costs. A robust audit process can help save many dollars. The more error-free your freight bills and payments, the more you save, and the more net profit gravitates to your bottom line.
Cost Per Pound: Measures gross net with total weight moved each month or quarter to show customers’ buying and usage habits. This KPI will help improve your customer to continue to buy optimal amounts. These trends can help them save money but not over or under buying products.
Warehousing
Inventory Accuracy: Every warehouse manager knows the inventory in their warehouse costs them. Quantifying these specific carrying costs — including capital costs, inventory risk, inventory service costs, and obsolescence — help a warehouse manager make smarter buying and forecasting decisions, leading to higher inventory turnover.
On-Time Shipping: This KPI shows the percentage of shipments that left the warehouse on-time. A lot of products have tight deliveries with small windows. If a shipment is missed, your client can be hit with delays and even late fees.
Order Picking Accuracy: An incorrect order can result in an increasing shipping time per average order, inventory being put back on shelves, rate of return, etc. Lean fulfillment and warehousing practices reduce waste and streamline picking processes – and help maintain a high order accuracy rate.
Flatbed trucking is an integral piece of the supply chain frequently used for carrying oversized or oddly shaped loads but has a wide variety of uses making it very versatile and valuable. Flatbeds are designed not only for providing an unconfined space for freight but are also makes loading and unloading of goods much more uncomplicated. Read about all the practical reasons to use flatbed trucking.
Use Flatbed Trucking for Variety of Materials
When transporting a high volume of material on a single trip, the flatbed can accommodate various types of cargo equipment with different dimensions. This dimensional flexibility allows for cargo of any shape or size.
Ease of Loading and Offloading
Flatbed trailers are open with no confined walls making it more accessible to load from all directions. Loading is exceptionally efficient, with a forklift from the ground rather than having to dock for loading. This trailer can carry bigger and wider loads than confined trailers.
No Loading Dock
Vans are the most popular mode of transportation of cargo; however, they have a limitation as they need access to a loading dock for loading and unloading. With flatbed trucking, you will not be restricted to a dock as it’s able to deliver cargo in virtually any open location. This flexibility is appealing to lumber shippers and contractors.
Shipping Rates
Flatbed rates are determined based on a variety of market factors. The area where the freight is transported to and from, diesel prices, the weight, and dimensions, as well as the number of available trucks, all have a role in determining the flatbed rate.
Let Us Help
Within the scope of Taylor’s service portfolio, we offer Freight Brokerage services through our expert team of dispatchers and maintain relationships with a network of screened, dependable carriers allowing us to expand our customer service reach to the entire United States. We service 100% of freight lanes, providing our customers with a one-stop-shop for all supply chain services.
Final Thoughts
If you are knowledgeable about the freight you are shipping, understand the options available, and select the right people to work with, your shipping efforts will not only go smoother, but you will also save valuable time and a lot of money. Not sure where to begin? Reach out to us at Taylor Logistics and let us show you what we can do for you today!
Taylor’s Brokerage Team Transporting Crane Machinery from Hubbard, OR to Fontana, CA
Taylor’s Brokerage Team Transporting Crane Machinery from Hubbard, OR to Fontana, CA
Taylor’s Brokerage Team Transporting Crane Machinery from Hubbard, OR to Fontana, CA
Freight brokers act as the medium between carriers and shippers. They have the experience, the network, and the resources to fulfill orders and get shipments to their desired destination. Expertise is the key to providing real value and genuinely making an impact in the supply chain.
It’s crucial to partner with a freight broker who is an expert in efficiency, transportation planning, and reducing your most significant logistics expense: getting your product into the customer’s hands. Our team is diving into the reasons freight brokers are an essential piece of your supply chain and the strategies that lower overall transportation costs.
Best in Class Technology
Whether you need less-than-truckload (LTL), truckload (TL), or expedited shipping, smart freight agents have the right technology in place to meet your needs. The best freight brokerage firms allow them to negotiate the best possible rates with the most reliable carriers and automate processes related to shipping and payment, ensuring you a speedy and safe delivery. Real-time dashboards give freight agents complete visibility into every aspect of the journey.
Mode Shifting
Brokers look at the size and features of a shipment and the urgency of which it needs to get to its destination. With many possible modes –LTL, TL, intermodal, expedited freight, and air shipments––brokers advise on the best method to get your shipment there for the lowest cost to meet your delivery timeframe.
Relieves the Headache of Back-Office Overhead
Leave the logistics of coordinating to a freight broker, you have enough on your plate! While one might think it will be more economical to work directly with carriers, that’s not the case. The time spent evaluating quotes, costs, and transit times, selecting a trustworthy carrier, arranging pickup, monitoring the products journey and delivery – not to mention troubleshooting any issues – isn’t worth the cost. A freight broker has the entire process down like a well-oiled machine and will be able to help you cut costs and expedite service.
Moving freight is a complex and complicated business. Don’t cut corners by searching for reliable carriers yourself and hoping the process will manage itself. Leave it to freight brokerage pros at Taylor Logistics. Team Taylor knows the freight business, and they’ll put your mind at ease while saving you money along the way. Contact Taylor today.
Along with being a problem solver and a delegator being a fleet manager entails much more than ensuring your fleet is up to par. It requires you to be an excellent communicator, a multitasker, a mechanical expert, an administrator, and a negotiator. If an obstacle arises, it is the fleet manager that finds the solution. If a driver has an issue, the fleet manager delegates the task. For some, embodying all of these characteristics is challenging. For others, combining all of these skills into one job title is nearly unattainable. But, there is always room for improvement in the world of management; our team compiled a list of tips for successful fleet management.
Safety, Safety, Safety!
Truck driving requires a lot of focus, good health, and defensive driving practices, when you’re on the road for long hours at a time, the risk for an accident rises. When factoring in weather conditions and traffic, and it’s clear that drivers need to stay alert no matter the circumstances. It’s up to the fleet manager to stress the importance of safe driving. By rewarding safe driving practices, scheduling regular safety briefings, and creating/updating protocols, it will help drivers stay mindful.
Embrace New Technology
Having the latest and greatest technology had become all the more critical than ever. ELD mandates, driver safety, and changing laws are just a few reasons why it’s crucial for fleet managers to welcome new technology. Efficient fleet managers not only accept the change, but they also embrace technologies and welcome whatever new challenges come with it.
Keep an Eye on Cost
Staying on track of all fleet management costs helps to control budgets. Fleet management operates with costs such as fuel, drivers’ salaries, vehicle maintenance, wages, and various other business costs. For an effective fleet manager, it is crucial to look for possible savings and avoid unnecessary losses across the business. Fleet managers should look for alternative ways of saving money, for example, optimizing driver routes to increase sustainability and cut fuel costs.
Shippers handle numerous transactions; the use of EDI integration within a TMS can save millions of dollars due to early payment discounts. Aside from the financial benefits, there is a multitude of advantages from implementing EDI. Exchanging documents electronically improves transaction speed and visibility while decreasing the amount of money you would spend on a manual process. Here are several examples of EDI transactions within a TMS.
What is EDI?
Before addressing EDI in transportation, it’s crucial to understand what exactly EDI alone is. Electronic Data Interchange or EDI is not only used within the logistics/ transportation industries. EDI is the computer to computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format between business partners. It was developed in the 1960s EDI was created to speed the process of shipping and transporting documents. EDI replaces postal mail, fax, and email. While email is also an electronic approach, the documents exchanged via email must still be handled by people rather than computers. Having people involved delays the processing of the documents and also has a higher risk of errors. Instead, EDI documents can pass straight through to the appropriate application on the receiver’s computer, and processing can begin instantly.
Examples of EDI Transaction in Transportation
Carrier Load Tender
Used by shippers or 3PLs to tender an offer for a shipment to a full truckload motor carrier
Freight Details and Invoice
Electronic invoice complete with shipment details
Bill of Lading
Electronic bill of lading which states shipment date, reference numbers, shipper, consignee, and shipment contents
Delivery Trailer Manifest
Allows carriers to provide consignees with the contents of the trailer
Shipment Status Message
Provides shipments statuses including shipper information, consignee information, current shipment location, dates, proof of delivery, and shipment description
Every week it seems as though there’s a new brewery popping up somewhere in town. However, many craft brewers do not have an adequate keg inventory to expand to multi-state distribution and to meet the new market demand. As a result, they may need to purchase more kegs, bottles, growlers, and cans in order to have sufficient on-hand inventory. Let us free up your time so you can focus on what’s essential, brewing fantastic beer.
Finding the right logistics partner requires careful research. Our team suggests that brewers evaluate potential 3PL’s by looking at a few key areas:
Food-Grade Facilities: Let’s start with the basics. You’ll want a provider with facilities that are food-grade SQF certified and have an A.I.B. “superior” sanitation rating.
One-Stop Shop: Chances are, you need more than warehousing for your beer. Fulfillment, transportation, packaging, etc. If your 3PL can deliver single-source solutions, they’ll help streamline your supply chain, control costs, and improve service to your customers.
Transportation Management: Can your 3PL provide real-time visibility and reporting? While giving you cost-effective options for delivering products when and where needed?
Getting your beer to the consumer.
Third party logistics companies, when you work with them for alcohol shipments, will need to be aware of different regulations. For instance, trucks transporting alcohol cannot veer off their course by more than seven miles from a federal highway during the shipment. If the driver does—say, by eating lunch on a break off the highway—the DOT may have the authority to impound that shipment. Alcohol is regulated by the individual states and not the federal government, so what would be considered following the law in Ohio doesn’t necessarily fly in Nebraska, Kentucky, Virginia, etc. That’s where it gets tricky. So it’s helpful to find a logistics company that knows the ins and outs of liquor shipping so that you can feel confident about their work.
Less-than-truckload shipments of alcohol are frequent, meaning if you have one pallet or 12, you can get your beer moving to its destination on a truck with other shipments. Taylor knows you just want people to enjoy your tasty beer, so we take care of the tricky parts for you. We have thousands of carriers in our network throughout the nation that meet the specific requirements set up by the states your beer needs to travel through for consistent alcohol shipments. Our team will set everything up, all you have to do is let us know about your shipment, and we’ll let you know when it arrives!
Why Taylor?
2020 marks the 170th year in business for Taylor, and for the past couple of decades, our focus has been all things food and beverage from warehousing to transportation our team knows a thing or two about food grade best practices.
Taylor’s fleet is supported by specialized carrier partners to provide nationwide freight transportation
Taylor’s value-added services such as label application, primary and secondary packaging, and store displays and promotional builds make us your one-stop shop
TMS allows for complete visibility from the moment your products leave to their final destination
The Commodity Classification Standards Board (CCSB) has posted proposed amendments to the National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC®). These amendments will be published, pending reconsideration, on December 5, 2019, and are expected to go in effect on January 4, 2020. A few of the notable changes are listed below.
Foodstuffs, other than Frozen
Various foodstuffs are removed from item 73227 and reclassified. Item 72790 (Dips) is canceled with reference to new item 74700 (Sauces, Condiments, Dips or Spreads). New items are established as follows: 72030 (Baby Food), 72041 (Baking Powder), 72285 (Butters or Spreads, nut or seed, including Peanut Butter),74510 (Purees, fruit or vegetable, including applesauce) and 74737 (Shells, taco, or tortillas).
Boilers, Furnaces, Stoves and Related Articles
The NMFC code 25400 is canceled with reference to new item 26720 with classes based on a density break at 8 pcf.
Traps, Bullets or Target
The NMFC code 17670 is canceled and reestablished as new item NMFC 187130.
It’s important for our business to invest renewable energy technologies and sustainability in all aspects of our logistics business. Importantly, when using road transport, we plan each journey to establish the most efficient route so that we can reduce the number of miles traveled and avoid empty trucks on the road. Taylor has implemented a Green Logistics program for several years; by doing so, our team reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions by:
Optimizing Routes
Until electric and other more sustainable vehicle options, route optimization is one of the best ways to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and distribution. Artificial intelligence can work with GPS devices to optimize local, national, and global shipping routes. Advanced analytics update routes in real-time, to take account of congestion and other issues.
Simplifying Supply Chain Processes
Supply chains can be improved through significant changes, but it’s more common to see results through small, iterative improvements. Useful analytics and reporting combine with machine learning to continually improve processes throughout the supply chain. Every change that reduces waste speeds up delivery or enhances quality makes an incremental improvement to sustainability.
Monitoring Existing Environmental Risks
Climate change and other environmental factors already impact many supply chains. Issues such as wildfires in California, rising sea levels, water scarcity, and lower agricultural yields have a profound impact on the efficiency, quality, and speed of the supply chain. Supply chain technology helps to predict these risks and allows supply chain managers to mitigate their impact and put contingency plans in place.
Drayage is a term used to describe the moving of container freight over short distances, mainly in the same city between rials facilities, ports or other shipping hubs.
Drayage moves can include:
1. Moving cargo from port to port or rail to rail
2. Port to the rail yard
3. Port to warehouse/shipping hub
4. Facility to the port, rail yard, or another facility
The history of Drayage
In history, the term drayage originally stems from the term dray, a low cart without fixed sides that could be used for carrying heavy loads a short distance. Although dray is defined as a cart historically, dray may be any vehicle used to transport heavy loads a short distance, including a sled, wagon, or carriage.
Drayage Today
In the early years, drayage services were considered a risky move for shippers and IMC’s. Today, a majority of that risk is gone, and rail intermodal is an essential part of most supply chains’ transportation portfolio. Drayage services have proven its value, experienced growth, and earned the respect of the Class I railroads as well as world-class shippers. It stands on the threshold of a new ear of growth as challenges mount for long-haul truckloads. While a lot of long-haul conversions have taken place, regional opportunities in the east are proving drayage services are not just a mode for cross-country freight moves.
Ultimately, any successful logistics operation starts with proper planning; let our team be your drayage advisor. Being in Cincinnati Taylor is located next to two major inland ports that service the entire midwest region. In addition to our local ports, our fleet also services Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Chicago. From picking up freight and moving it to the next hub, Taylor drayage services are an efficient solution for your intermodal strategy.
Taylor Logistics the Nation’s most progressive family owned logistics company announced that they increased their freight broker surety bond through the Transportation Intermediaries Association from $100,000 to $250,000, further confirming its commitment to protecting the freight and transportation community against fraudulent behavior
Many merchants don’t necessarily have a physical shop to store their products, requiring the use of a warehouse to store them. Normally, 3PL companies will be able to provide warehousing services that include either a shared or dedicated warehouse for storage, along with all of the required technology to handle and transport products throughout the warehouse. Because of the many companies that might use the same warehouse for storage, you can save money with a split overhead cost.
2. Order Fulfillment Businesses
need to be able to fulfill orders effectively, or they can’t survive. Unfortunately, many e-commerce companies often suffer from invalid order fulfillment, but a 3PL service provider can make sure that customers receive the right goods on time and in good condition with every order.
3. Consolidation
Another service that most 3PL companies offer is consolidation, wherein e-commerce suppliers send small goods to the same location, consolidating these goods into a single shipment to lower prices.
4. Supply Chain Management Services
To make each order a success, companies need to effectively maintain their supply chain. A 3PL company can help manage all or part of your supply chain, taking care of your inbound freight delivery specifications.
