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Seasonal Supply Chain

In the dynamic realm of logistics and supply chain management, navigating the rhythmic ebb and flow of seasonal supply chain shifts is both an art and a science. The ability to harmonize your operations with seasonal fluctuations can spell the difference between triumph and turbulence for your business. Whether you’re peddling sunscreen in summer or crafting holiday magic in winter, understanding and conquering these seasonal shifts is paramount. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of seasonal supply chains and unveil ingenious strategies to help your business not just survive but thrive amidst these shifts.

Decoding Seasonal Supply Chain Shifts

Seasonal supply chain shifts are the balletic movements of commerce, choreographed by the calendar and consumer whims. They materialize when consumer demand for particular products or services experiences pronounced variations throughout the year. These variations are often orchestrated by a symphony of factors, including weather patterns, cultural events, holidays, and economic triggers. Here are some illustrative examples:

Weather-Driven Seasonality: Companies dealing in weather-sensitive wares, such as swimsuits and ski gear, sway with the seasons, adapting their supply chains to these meteorological rhythms.

Festive Frenzy: Retailers, whether physical or online, witness a surge in demand during the festive season, necessitating a flawless fusion of augmented inventory, nimble distribution, and top-notch customer support.

Agricultural Rhapsody: The agricultural sector performs its seasonal sonata as crops are harvested at specific times of the year, affecting not only growers but also the entire supply chain downstream.

Back-to-School Ballet: Businesses peddling school supplies and uniforms orchestrate their operations for the back-to-school season, a crescendo of demand.

Key Strategies for Synchronizing with Seasonal Shifts

Demand Anticipation: Accurate demand forecasting acts as the conductor of your seasonal supply chain orchestra. Harness historical sales data, market intelligence, and predictive analytics to anticipate the crescendos and diminuendos of demand. This enables you to fine-tune inventory levels and production schedules.

Flexibility in Supply Chain Design: Inject adaptability into your supply chain’s DNA to harmonize with changing demand. Embrace flexible staffing arrangements, dynamic warehousing solutions, and versatile transportation options. Temporary personnel and rented storage spaces can be instrumental in hitting the right notes during peak seasons.

Supplier Synergy: Cultivate strong partnerships with suppliers, sharing your seasonal symphony well in advance. Collaborate closely to ensure a steady supply of materials and products when the demand crescendos.

Inventory Virtuosity: Mastery of inventory management is paramount. Employ techniques such as just-in-time inventory, safety stock, and ABC analysis to fine-tune inventory levels. This prevents surplus during lulls and staves off shortages during high-demand periods.

Technological Crescendo: Invest in cutting-edge supply chain technology and automation to streamline processes and elevate efficiency. These tools enhance visibility, orchestrate real-time inventory tracking, and facilitate agile responses to demand fluctuations.

Logistics Choreography: Ensure your transportation and logistics networks possess the grace to handle peak-season volumes. Consider alternative routes and transportation methods to sidestep potential bottlenecks.

Customer Engagement: Keep your audience informed about product availability and delivery schedules during peak seasons. Implement responsive customer support channels to address inquiries and concerns with finesse.

Post-Season Encore: After each peak season performance, conduct a thorough post-season analysis. Uncover areas for refinement, fine-tuning your seasonal supply chain symphony for a stellar encore.

Seasonal supply chain shifts are the verses and choruses of many businesses’ financial songs, and conducting them with mastery is the key to sustained success. By immersing yourself in the rhythm of seasonal demand variations and orchestrating astute strategies, your company can not only meet customer expectations but also transform seasonal challenges into opportunities.

In this harmonious journey, Taylor Logistics stands as your trusted partner, ready to help you hit all the right notes. With their extensive experience and expertise in supply chain management, Taylor Logistics can provide tailored solutions that synchronize your operations with seasonal shifts. Their innovative approach, backed by cutting-edge technology, ensures that your supply chain performs like a well-rehearsed symphony, delivering efficiency and precision.

In a competitive landscape, adaptability and agility during seasonal supply chain shifts are the notes that harmonize with long-term prosperity. So, step onto the stage, embrace the music of the seasons, and let Taylor Logistics choreograph your supply chain for a standing ovation in the world of seamless success.

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As the Fourth of July approaches, the excitement of fireworks, barbecues, and celebrations fills the air. It’s a day when Americans come together to commemorate their independence and enjoy the spirit of freedom. Behind the scenes, third-party logistics providers like Taylor Logistics play a vital role in ensuring that shippers’ supply chains run smoothly, allowing everyone to have a great Independence Day. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Taylor Logistics and other 3PLs contribute to ensuring a seamless experience for shippers, ultimately enabling a memorable and stress-free holiday for all.

Efficient Distribution and Inventory Management

The Fourth of July is when demand for various products peaks, from food and beverages to party supplies and decorations. Shippers face the challenge of efficiently managing their inventory and ensuring that the right products are available at the right place and time. This is where third-party logistics providers step in. With its supply chain management expertise, Taylor Logistics helps shippers optimize their distribution networks, streamline inventory management, and ensure timely deliveries. By coordinating warehousing, transportation, and order fulfillment processes, they provide that shippers can meet the heightened demands of the holiday season.

Responsive and Agile Transportation Solutions

Transportation plays a critical role in the supply chain, especially during holidays when there is a surge in consumer demand. Shippers must rely on reliable and agile transportation services to ensure their products reach the market on time. Third-party logistics providers, like Taylor Logistics, excel in offering responsive transportation solutions. They leverage their extensive network of carriers, establish efficient routes, and monitor shipments in real-time to ensure smooth and uninterrupted product flow. By managing the complexities of transportation logistics, 3PLs help shippers avoid delays, minimize stockouts, and maintain customer satisfaction during the festive season.

Flexibility in Scaling Operations

The Fourth of July often brings unpredictable fluctuations in demand. Shippers must be prepared for sudden spikes in orders and adjust their operations accordingly. This is where the flexibility provided by third-party logistics providers becomes invaluable. Taylor Logistics, for instance, can quickly scale up or down its services based on the shippers’ needs. Whether adding additional warehouse space, increasing labor, or ramping up transportation capacity, 3PLs have the necessary resources and expertise to adapt to the dynamic demands of the holiday season. By offering scalable solutions, they enable shippers to meet customer expectations efficiently.

End-to-End Visibility and Tracking

Customers expect transparency and real-time updates on their orders in the modern world. Third-party logistics providers integrate advanced technology solutions into their operations, providing end-to-end visibility and tracking capabilities. Taylor Logistics and similar 3PLs leverage GPS tracking, cloud-based platforms, and data analytics to monitor shipments, manage inventory, and ensure timely deliveries. This level of visibility empowers shippers with actionable insights, allowing them to promptly make informed decisions and address any potential disruptions.

As we celebrate Independence Day, it’s important to recognize third-party logistics providers like Taylor Logistics play a significant role in ensuring smooth supply chains. By optimizing distribution networks, providing agile transportation solutions, offering scalability, and leveraging advanced technologies, 3PLs give a seamless experience for shippers. Their dedication and expertise enable everyone to enjoy a stress-free and memorable Fourth of July. So, let’s raise our glasses and salute the logistics professionals who work behind the scenes, ensuring that the celebrations go on smoothly as we come together to celebrate the spirit of independence.

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Four Functions of 3PL Providers

As a business expands and you need to get products in new markets to more customers, there comes a time when it must determine whether to outsource its supply chain operations.

To meet customer demand, shippers turn to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to do just that.

But not all 3PLs offer the same services and capabilities. For example, some just focus on transportation, and some just on fulfillment. But what about a full-service logistics provider that can do it all? Learn more about the functions of a full-service 3PL like Taylor.

1. Shipping and Receiving

Taylor helps companies with shipping and receiving; our brokerage team manages the shipping process from start to finish. As a technology-driven organization, our transportation management system (TMS) allows for managing carrier relations, freight data, and matrix reports for real-time visibility and increased transparency throughout the shipping process.

2. Transportation

As a multi-service 3PL that also handles transportation, we are responsible for transporting goods between locations, from manufacturer to fulfillment to any brick-and-mortar store, and even direct parcels to your doorstep. Because we have our in-house brokerage and local Cincinnati fleet, there’s no need to leverage another partner to complete any shipping needs.

3. Warehousing

Warehousing is typically the most common function of a third-party logistics provider. To no surprise, warehousing is a large portion of our service portfolio; from multi-client public warehouses to dedicated client contract facilities, we’ve altered our warehouse services to meet the needs of our business partners. Taylor provides customizable ways to handle storage, distribution, and transportation.

4. Value-Added Services

In addition to transportation, warehousing, and distribution, several 3PLs like Taylor also provide a wide variety of value-added services, including eCommerce, pick & pack, kitting, custom labeling, manufacturing, Amazon prep services, and design. By outsourcing these services, business partners can focus on their core business. 

Need a full-service 3PL partner?

Fill out the form below and a member of our team will reach out asap. Questions? Inbox us at info@taylorlog.com or call 513-771-1850

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TIA-Conference-2023-1

Next week is the TIA 2023 Capital Ideas Conference! Our team is so excited to meet in person for this year’s annual conference in Orlando. Are you attending? Let us know below.

About the TIA Annual Conference

Over 1,800 of North America’s Most Successful Brokerage-Based Logistics Professionals for 4 Days of Reconnecting, Networking & Education.

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Carriers, Freight, Freight Brokerage, Freight Technology, Intermodal Transportation, Key Performing Indicators, Leadership, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Teamwork, Transloading

Cincinnati, OH — December 29, 2022 — Third-party logistics company Taylor Logistics Inc. held its third 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 and operational excellence and establishing quality relationships with Taylor. We proudly announce that NGL Transportation is this year’s Carrier of the Year. 

“One of NGL’s core differentiators is customer obsession – a practice that can be simple in concept but challenging in execution; we have a dedicated CSR and support from both the drayage and warehousing to ensure customer success,” said Nicholas Ratliff, Logistics Coordinator Taylor Logistics Inc. “We especially want to celebrate those who keep our country moving in these uncertain times and go above and beyond what’s asked of them. Our 2022 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 80,000 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.

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Cincinnati, Drayage, Intermodal Transportation, Transloading
Taylor Logistics Inc. Transloading in Cincinnati Ohio Drayage Team

Transloading services are an essential part of the supply chain, primarily when shipping with intermodal drayage. When cargo is moved from rail to a truck (or the other way around), the transloading area is where an experienced team uses forklifts, cranes, and other equipment to ensure a seamless transfer of freight. Often, shippers want to combine the economic advantages of rail shipping with the flexibility of over-the-road trucking, using affordable rail shipping for the long haul and trucks for final delivery. Here’s our drayage team tips on how to save:

But First, Products That Can Be Transloaded


Standard Rail Commodities: Lumber, metals, paper, rebar bundles, palletized products


Liquids: Ethanol, biodiesel


Oversized: Transformers, wind blades, and machinery


Bulk: Sand, plastic pellets, food product


Service Sensitive/Critical: Auto parts, parcel, frozen food, and perishables


Everything: Bricks, floor tile, coil, solar panels and nearly everything else 

Container Capacity


Don’t waste container space! Abiding by container rules and regulations, strive to consolidate as much freight as possible into a larger container. For example, the contents of three 40 ft containers can fit into two 53 footers. Thus, reducing your overall costs significantly..

Check Your Container Cartons


If your container is hauling more cartons than the allocated number, you could incur extra fees. Stay up to date on regulations to avoid paying more.

Try To Palletize Your Products


To save space, putting your product on pallets always helps. When freight arrives at the transloading area, palletize cargo to make distribution handling more efficient.

Partner With A 3PL


Taylor has a full drayage team of transportation professionals that know what to look for to help you cut costs and streamline your supply chain with transloading. Get a rate now!

Talk With Taylor


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National-Truck-Driver-Apprecation-1

It’s always a good time to #ThankATrucker, especially during National Trucking Week. This week we celebrate and recognize the important contributions made by drivers who keep the country’s freight moving. 

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an important time for America to pay respect and thank all the professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.6 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but they also keep our highways safe.

This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 11-17, 2022

Talk With Taylor


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Taylor Logistics Port Services

Team Taylor helps manage domestic freight shipping needs for any port located in the United States

Providing solutions to managing port chaos is our thing here’s how we do it:

With Real-Time Visibility

We offer real-time GPS tracking, automated status updates, and notifications for every container. Leveraging the power of the project44 cloud-based platform allows Taylor to provide customers complete visibility throughout the supply chain.

Flexible Capacity

Whether you are shipping a couple of containers or hundreds, Taylor has a vast network of vetted carriers ready to handle your freight seamlessly from port to store or anywhere in between.

Fast Implementation

When it comes to port services, speed is of the essence. That’s why our teams are quick to deploy solutions for your needs. So if you’re looking for speed and high service levels, look no further- partner with Taylor.

Customized Customer Portals

Our easy-to-use cloud-based customer portal gives you access to real-time insights on your freight while in transit and allows you to review scheduled loads.

We Are Wherever You Need Us 

Taylor Logistics Port Services

Questions? Talk With Taylor Today

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2022 Hurricane Season - Supply Chian

Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. 

Managing a supply chain is a complicated business on the best of days. However, under the unfavorable conditions of a tropical storm or hurricane, a supply chain can swiftly move from complex to chaotic, causing severe supply chain disruptions.

Potential Supply Chain Issues


Knowing the areas most likely to experience hurricane-related damage is vital when it comes to supply chain management. So is understanding which links in the chain are most likely to encounter disruption. These notably include the nation’s ports. Fulfillment centers and warehouses also are high on the list, as they often are built on low and within proximity to port terminals. Transportation routes are also a vulnerable spot, as floodwaters can wash out road surfaces. Even with major highways, such as Interstate 10 during Hurricane Katrina.

How to Prepare?

Awareness
The first step for prevention is awareness. Identifying facilities that are in high-risk areas helps managers prepare for the worst. This also includes maintaining a consistent system for checking on the weather every day along with the supply chain footprint.

Alternate plan
Having an emergency plan in place that includes factors such as alternative routes for drivers and procedures for production outside facilities in the path of potential disaster. If possible, ensuring that production is ramped so essential goods can get to their destinations before disaster strikes.

Coordination
Coordination between supply chain partners inside and outside your business is crucial. Establish a team that will be responsible for making decisions during a crisis, and communicate it throughout the supply chain. When communication channels break down, people often act and react on their own, thinking that they are doing the right thing, which may hurt the overall plan.

Supply Chain Intelligence Center for Disaster Information

 

The American Logistics Aid Network, in collaboration with different logistics and supply chain companies, has created a supply chain dashboard. The Supply Chain Intelligence center monitors the real-time status of roads, ports, and airports in disaster-impacted areas. Register to request access here.

Work with an Agile 3PL Provider

When a hurricane or tropical storm is on the horizon, it can be challenging to prepare your business for possible supply chain disruption. The best way to create a plan for your supply chain is to work with a proactive logistics solutions provider. We help companies of all sizes within various industries prepare for supply chain uncertainty. Talk with Taylor today. Fill out the form below, and a Team Taylor rep will be in touch in no time. 

Talk With Taylor


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CINCINNATI, Ohio. – MAY, 24th 2022—Taylor Logistics, a third-party logistics solutions provider, announced that it has partnered with project44 the world’s leading Advanced Visibility Platform™ for shippers and logistics service providers. 

Leveraging the power of the project44 cloud-based platform allows Taylor to increase operational efficiencies, reduce costs, improve shipping performance, and deliver an exceptional customer experience. Connected to thousands of carriers worldwide and having comprehensive coverage for all ELD and telematics devices, project44 supports all transportation modes and shipping types. 

“We are excited about our partnership with project44. This allows our customers complete visibility throughout the supply chain that we were missing on the front end,” said Vince Bonhaus, Vice President of Logistics, Taylor Logistics Inc. “project44 was the obvious choice for our growing business.” 

project44 is a Leader among Real-Time Transportation Visibility Providers, according to the Gartner Magic Quadrant. To learn more, visit www.project44.com

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Freight Brokerage, Freight Technology, Intermodal Transportation, Leadership, Safety, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Technology, Third Party Logistics

It’s TIA Conference week! Our team is so excited to meet in person for this year’s annual conference in San Diego. Are you attending? Let us know below.

About the TIA Annual Conference

Over 1,200 of North America’s Most Successful Brokerage-Based Logistics Professionals for 4 Days of Reconnecting, Networking & Education.

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Cross-Docking, Customer Experience, D2C, Drayage, Flatbed, Flatbed Transportation, Fleet, Intermodal Transportation, Ominchannel, Operations, Port Services, Processes, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Third Party Logistics, Transloading, Value-Added Services
Taylor Logistics Cross Dock

What is cross docking?


Cross docking is the transfer of inbound goods to an outbound carrier through the use of a cross docking facility – that is, a temporary storage terminal that cuts out or reduces the need for inventory storage. All incoming goods are sorted and loaded onto outbound trucks as quickly as possible – often immediately.

It’s trending!


The cross docking market is growing yet again! Globally it’s expected to reach US$342 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of around 6%. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer expectations for delivery times, putting pressure on the supply chain through the ‘need for speed’.

Cross docking benefits


Reduced costs, particularly any costs associated with long-term inventory storage and associated facilities, labor and utilities

Improved stock turnover, as the goal of cross docking is to get goods in and out as efficiently as possible

Minimized risk, given there’s reduced handling of goods and no long-term storage that could increase the chance of spoilage

Need a cross dock solution? Talk with Taylor!


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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. 

Utilize Technology


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. 

Talk With Taylor


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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.

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Most people understand that it takes transportation and logistics to get the stuff we all want and rely upon to our homes and offices, but it could be argued that what our industry does is often taken for granted. The well-publicized challenges sourcing, importing and distributing PPE, vaccines, and other critical supplies over the past year and a half have shined a light, once again, on how crucial our industry is to all of us. It is estimated that the transportation and warehousing segment in the U.S. alone accounts for over 5.5 million jobs and that logistics activities account for nearly 8% of everything we make and sell. The third-party logistics segment alone represents a $233 billion industry. We’re important.

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If you’ve seen higher than expected freight rates, we hear you, we see you. There’s a couple of potential factors for these increases. Since Q2 of 2020, the freight markets have shown robust growth, which has raised rates dramatically. While this is good news for carriers and manufacturers, it has caused CPG shippers to pay the price in rising freight rates. In this week’s blog, our team analyzes the various factors that are driving up freight rates and why they are happening.

Factor 1 | Port Congestion 


With pandemic-related consumer shopping habits, many West Coast ports operated at maximum capacity during the summer. In 2021, the uptick in imports has compounded the situation and caused even more congestion. March retail sales increased by 9.8% sequentially and 14.3% year-over-year. A 27.7% jump led to an increase in sales of food services. With more imports on board, shippers should brace for capacity constraints. As the produce season gets underway, rates will also rise.

Factor 2 | Produce Season


The start of the produce season typically occurs in February in the southern US. By spring/summertime, it has reached the majority of the US. During this time, capacity is tightened as refrigerated carriers dedicate a lot of their space to hauling produce. Other products that can ship via dry van or on refrigerated trucks will move to van transport, thus increasing freight rates across the board.

Factor 3 | Reliance on Split Shipments 


eCommerce brands have been comprehensively using split shipments for years. Firstly goods need to be picked from inventories across different locations. With not enough room on a single truck or plane for an entire shipment, it may have to be divided into individual boxes and delivered individually. Split shipments happen to occur even more often during cross-country or international shipment of goods. The more the shipments, the costlier the shipping costs; therefore, the trend ends up being a pricey affair and often harmful to the shipping ecosystem.

Counter Rising Rates with these Techniques: 

Advance Planning


One of the most effective ways to combat these high freight rates is planning shipments far in advance. Cargo cost is increasing every day. To avoid paying surged charges and avail early bird facilities, companies have to plan their shipments well in advance strategically. Working with a team of transportation experts (Like Taylor) that uses digital platforms to leverage data on the freight costs to predict rates and trends affecting the rates will help to plan and lower costs. 

Work With A Team Of Experts

Work with a dedicated logistics team to ensure conditions do not endanger profitability. Teaming up with a partner like Taylor can help your organization correctly forecast costs and find more favorable pricing through consolidation or mode optimization services.

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Cincinnati, Drayage, Intermodal Transportation, Transloading
Taylor Logistics Inc. Transloading in Cincinnati Ohio Drayage Team

Transloading services are an essential part of the supply chain, primarily when shipping with intermodal drayage. When cargo is moved from rail to a truck (or the other way around), the transloading area is where an experienced team uses forklifts, cranes, and other equipment to ensure a seamless transfer of freight. Often, shippers want to combine the economic advantages of rail shipping with the flexibility of over-the-road trucking, using affordable rail shipping for the long haul and trucks for final delivery. Here’s our drayage team tips on how to save:

But First, Products That Can Be Transloaded


Standard Rail Commodities: Lumber, metals, paper, rebar bundles, palletized products


Liquids: Ethanol, biodiesel


Oversized: Transformers, wind blades, and machinery


Bulk: Sand, plastic pellets, food product


Service Sensitive/Critical: Auto parts, parcel, frozen food, and perishables


Everything: Bricks, floor tile, coil, solar panels and nearly everything else 

Container Capacity


Don’t waste container space! Abiding by container rules and regulations, strive to consolidate as much freight as possible into a larger container. For example, the contents of three 40 ft containers can fit into two 53 footers. Thus, reducing your overall costs significantly..

Check Your Container Cartons


If your container is hauling more cartons than the allocated number, you could incur extra fees. Stay up to date on regulations to avoid paying more.

Try To Palletize Your Products


To save space, putting your product on pallets always helps. When freight arrives at the transloading area, palletize cargo to make distribution handling more efficient.

Partner With A 3PL


Taylor has a full drayage team of transportation professionals that know what to look for to help you cut costs and streamline your supply chain with transloading.

Talk With Taylor


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Drayage, Freight, Freight Brokerage, Freight Technology, Intermodal Transportation, Port Services, Team Taylor

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!

Talk With Taylor


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Carriers, Flatbed Transportation, Fleet, Freight Brokerage, Intermodal Transportation, LTL, Port Services, Team Taylor, Transloading, Truck Driving
Freight Shipping Transportation Taylor Logistics

Your favorite co-hosts, Chris Baum and Noelle Taylor, are back covering a full range of topics from port to door services, the lunar new year, expecting the unexpected, and drop trailer services.

Talk With Taylor


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Carriers, Cross-Docking, Flatbed, Flatbed Transportation, Intermodal Transportation, Port Services

Have you ever had issues with port congestion or total transit time and cost issues for international freight? Taylor Logistics has a specific team that specializes in services with the New Jersey/New York Ports.

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Freight, Freight Brokerage, Intermodal Transportation, LTL

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!

Shipment types Taylor Logistics Inc

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!

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Freight, Freight Brokerage, Intermodal Transportation, LTL
Freight Taylor Logistics Inc.

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. 

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Cincinnati, Drayage, Intermodal Transportation
Taylor Logistics Inc. Blog

Definition –  Drayage is typically used to describe the trucking service from a port to a rail ramp, warehouse, or other destination.


History – The word drayage originally stems from the term dray, a low cart without fixed sides that is used for carrying heavy loads a short distance. Although a dray is defined as a cart historically, a dray may be any vehicle used to transport heavy loads a short distance, such as a truck or sled.

Intermodal Rail Ramp Drayage


Taylor established interchange agreements with major rail ramps and steamship lines for pickup and delivery of Cincinnati drayage. The Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have been ranked the busiest inland port in the nation, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Data Center. 

TLI-Cincinnati-Rail-Drayage
TLI-Ohio-Drayage
TLI-Ports
Cincinnati ports Taylor Logistics Inc.
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Drayage, Freight, Freight Brokerage, Intermodal Transportation, Port Services, Third Party Logistics, Value-Added Services

What is Drayage? 

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. 

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Infographics, Intermodal Transportation, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Third Party Logistics

The information below represents average container sizes and limitations for steam-ship line equipment. There could be variances in the dimensions between some containers and the numbers below. Additionally, these numbers represent the containers’ limitations; in many cases state laws further limit the weight capacity of these containers for over-the-road transport.

20’ Container

Inside Length: 19’ 4.25”

Inside Width: 92.5”

Inside Height: 94”

Weight Restrictions: 38,000 lbs

Pallets: 9–10

40’ Container

Inside Length: 39’ 5.69”

Inside Width: 92.5”

Inside Height: 94”

Weight Restrictions: 43,500 lbs

Pallets: 20

40’ High Cube Container

Inside Length: 39’ 5.69’

Inside Width: 92.5”

Inside Height: 104”

Weight Restrictions: 43,500

Pallets: 20

45’ Container High Cube Container

Inside Length 44’ 5.59”

Inside Width: 92.59”

Inside Height: 106”

Weight Restrictions: 43,500

Pallets: 22

53’ High Cube Container

Inside Length: 52’ 6.5”

Inside Width: 98.5”

Inside Height: 109.5”

Weight Restrictions: 43,500

Pallets: 26-30

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