Challenges in Local LTL shipping
When it comes to moving freight, Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping is a great option for long hauls and often the only option for local shipments. For long hauls, shippers can often save money by only paying for the truck space they use while truckers and carriers can maximize earning potential by filling the entire truck with shipments from many shippers, but this often comes with the cost of time. For local LTL shipping, the challenges are many. Following is a list of some of the more common issues you’ll find in local LTL shipping:
Rates
Rates can vary quite a bit when you’re looking for local LTL shipping, but it’s important to remember that you often get what you pay for. Choosing the cheaper option to save some money may end up costing you more in time, money and headache later on. Do your research to find someone reliable and trustworthy that can haul your freight at a competitive rate.
Capacity
Just because you have freight to ship doesn’t mean you’ll always have access to a truck that can move it whenever and wherever you need it. Space is a recurring issue as many traditional LTL carriers strive to always operate at full capacity. Additionally, not all carriers provide local LTL shipping, so you have to find someone who offers the service or you may have to utilize a third-party provider to help connect you with the right carrier.
Quality
Not all carriers are created equal. As a shipper, you want a carrier who will be professional and can ensure on-time delivery. It can be a challenge to find quality carriers and vetting carriers and drivers properly takes time, money and persistence. Always be sure the carriers you work with have the proper authority, licenses and insurance as well as a solid history of safe operations.
Time
It can often take LTL shipments longer than you’d like to arrive at their destinations because the carriers work to fill the trucks to capacity by aggregating freight from many shippers. This often leads to manual monitoring of your shipment via emails and phone calls so you can track where your shipments are in the process.
Insurance
Even when you’re shipping a smaller amount of freight with LTL shipping, insurance should be a priority. Trucking companies carry a variety of insurance policies, and some may not fully cover your freight in all situations. Always be sure your shipment is covered.
When it comes to local LTL shipping, what other challenges have you faced? In our next blog post, we’ll be going over ways you can overcome these challenges to help you utilize local capacity as successfully as possible. If you’re interested in learning how Cargomatic can help you, connect with us!
First to join the new team was Ed Reginelli as Chief Financial Officer. Ed brings over 25 years of experience, managing all aspects of financial accounting, controls, analysis, operations and reporting in complex corporate environments. Before joining Cargomatic, Ed was Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at RhythmOne plc, a digital advertising technology company.
The second addition to Cargomatic’s team was Chris Oliver as Chief Marketing Officer. Chris brings more than 20 years of experience leading large and small businesses into and through tremendous growth phases. Prior to Cargomatic, Chris led growth efforts for several well-known transportation technology brands, including Trucker Path, Zonar, and PrePass.
The third addition was Ann Mao as Chief Legal Officer. Prior to joining Cargomatic, Ann held various senior roles at McKesson Corporation, a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, healthcare technology and specialty care.
The next addition to the team was Sunil Sharma as Chief Product & Technology Officer. Sunil’s breadth of expertise spans platforms, applications, and online marketplaces. Previously, he held product management leadership positions with industry leaders such as Jasper Technologies (acquired by Cisco), Yahoo!, GT Nexus (acquired by Infor), and Manhattan Associates.
The final new addition to the team is Marc Levin as Chief Commercial Officer. Marc is a strategist and business growth executive with over 25 years of experience in sales, strategy development, and innovation covering end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions. Prior to Cargomatic, Marc led revenue growth initiatives at XPO (formerly Menlo Worldwide), Ryder SCS and Americold Logistics.In addition to the many new faces at Cargomatic, two members of the existing team were also appointed to the C-Suite – finalizing the rebuild and positioning the company for continued exponential growth.
Matt Hogan, who has been with Cargomatic since the turnaround began in 2016, has been named Chief of Staff. Prior to his new role, Matt was VP of Account Management & Business Process for Cargomatic, responsible for managing customer growth and retention. Matt brings 20 years of logistics experience to the team, including 15 years at TransCore where he was Director of Account Management.
Steve Jackson, who has also been with Cargomatic since 2016, has been named Chief Administrative Officer. Steve brings over 35 years of domestic and international supply chain experience focused on operational and administrative areas of the businesses. Prior to Cargomatic, Steve held roles at Beaver Paper & Graphic Media, IntelliTrans, and Imerys.