Logistics Archives - GlobalTranz

Smart Strategies for Budgeting Freight Fuel Surcharges

James Greenlaw — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:29:23 +0000

Keeping shipping costs under control is no small task — and unpredictable freight fuel surcharges make it even tougher. These added charges help carriers deal with fuel price volatility, but they can shift dramatically from week to week.

To stay ahead, you need a clear strategy for understanding and forecasting these charges. In this blog, we'll walk you through how to calculate fuel surcharges on freight, track pricing trends, audit your shipping bills, and work with the right 3PL partner to keep your costs under control.

What is a fuel surcharge for freight shipping and why does it change?

Most less-than-truckload (LTL) freight and truckload (TL) shipping providers add a surcharge for fuel to your invoice. This fuel surcharge helps offset volatile diesel fuel prices and protect carrier profitability from inflation, supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes and unpredictable tariffs. But there's no one-size-fits-all approach — each carrier sets their own rate structure and frequency for updates.

Some carriers base their fuel surcharge forecast on the national average price of diesel fuel published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Others might tie it to specific regions or update it weekly, monthly or even quarterly. The most common calculation is:

Fuel Surcharge = (Current Fuel Price – Base Fuel Price) ÷ Vehicle MPG × Miles Traveled

But some carriers apply a percentage of total shipping cost instead. With so many variations, you can't afford to guess. That's why a fuel surcharge strategy is crucial for shippers.

How do I find out how my carrier calculates their surcharge for fuel?

Start by asking. Don't assume all carriers use the same formula. Each one has its own approach to how they calculate their fuel surcharge, and many publish their methodology online.

But don't stop at what's posted. Speak directly to a rep. You may discover contract pricing options or discounts that don't appear on public rate charts. And if you're working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider like GlobalTranz, you gain even more leverage. We negotiate better rates on your behalf by bundling volume across thousands of shippers.

Ask your carriers these questions:

How often do you update your fuel surcharge?
What's your base fuel price?
How is mileage or shipment weight factored in?
Can we get discounted or fixed-rate fuel surcharge pricing?

Getting clarity now helps you avoid surprises later.

Why do diesel fuel prices change so much?

Fuel prices don't just rise and fall randomly — they react to global events, supply and demand, and long-term market trends. While it's impossible to predict exact prices, understanding the major forces behind fuel volatility helps you make smarter projections.

Diesel prices tend to rise when:

There's economic uncertainty
Supply chains tighten or are disrupted (e.g., natural disasters, wars or sanctions)
Demand spikes due to peak shipping seasons

Historically, massive diesel spikes happened in:

2008 — up 15% in one month
2022 — up 26.6% in one month

But those are exceptions. Most months see a change of just 1–2%. Keeping an eye on the EIA's fuel price index and news coverage about oil markets can help you make an educated fuel surcharge forecast.

At GlobalTranz, our teams monitor trends and advise customers on how to adjust budgets accordingly. We help make the unpredictable more manageable.

Can reviewing past shipping invoices help me predict fuel surcharges?

Yes — conducting a freight bill audit is one of the most effective ways to understand how freight fuel surcharges have impacted your budget. This means reviewing past shipping invoices to identify:

What percentage of your total costs went to fuel surcharges
Which carriers charged more (or less)
Whether surcharge fees aligned with published rates
Any billing discrepancies or errors

A freight audit doesn't just improve forecasting — it uncovers cost-saving opportunities. If a carrier misapplied their own formula or you misunderstood how they calculated charges, you can flag it, fix it and adjust future expectations.

Plus, if you use multiple freight carriers, comparing past invoices gives you negotiating power. If Carrier A consistently charges less than Carrier B for the same routes, use that data in your next rate negotiation.

What if I don't have the time or tools to audit fuel surcharges?

That's where working with a 3PL partner like GlobalTranz can make a real impact. We analyze your shipping history, current carrier relationships and invoice trends to create a clearer picture of your freight fuel surcharge exposure.

Here's what we offer:

Freight audits to assess current and historical surcharge trends
Side-by-side cost comparisons across your carriers
Insights into potential savings through consolidation or route optimization
Recommendations to minimize fuel surcharges and other freight accessorial fees

We'll even help you project your fuel surcharge budget for the next quarter or fiscal year based on market data and carrier trends.

How can I minimize freight fuel surcharges?

You can't avoid fuel surcharges entirely, but you can take steps to reduce their impact. Here's a recap of the information we have provided:

1. Consolidate shipments

Fewer, fuller shipments = lower surcharge per unit shipped. This works for both LTL freight and TL shipping.

2. Choose efficient routes

Optimize routing to reduce mileage and idle time. A 3PL can help with real-time visibility and smart planning tools.

3. Audit regularly

Look for invoice errors and monitor fuel surcharge trends. Even small discrepancies add up fast.

4. Negotiate smarter

Use competitive data to negotiate better terms or fixed-rate contracts with carriers.

5. Use a 3PL

Gain access to discounted rates, shipping volume leverage and expert consulting to improve long-term strategy with 3PL expertise.

Why should I work with GlobalTranz?

Managing freight fuel surcharges in-house can drain time and resources. GlobalTranz acts as your advocate, helping you budget smarter, ship more efficiently and uncover savings across your supply chain.

When you partner with GlobalTranz, you get:

Access to deeply discounted carrier rates
Hands-on consulting for fuel and freight cost planning
Audits and data analysis to optimize budgeting
Real-time tools for tracking fuel surcharge changes
A team that knows LTL freight, TL shipping and everything in between

Partner with GlobalTranz To Offset Unpredictable Fuel Surcharges

GlobalTranz has over 30 years of expertise in the logistics industry and helps thousands of freight shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. As part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers, we're also part of one of the largest and most diverse 3PL networks in the industry.

Our solutions include access to a vetted network of 75+ less-than-truckload (LTL) and 45,000+ FTL freight carriers, warehousing and management transportation solutions, along with cutting-edge technology to help you optimize your supply chain.

Let's build a plan that works for your business — no matter what comes next. Contact GlobalTranz today for a free, customized shipping consultation. We're here to help you ship smarter, respond faster and grow stronger.

The post Smart Strategies for Budgeting Freight Fuel Surcharges appeared first on GlobalTranz.

How a 3PL Can Strengthen Your Supply Chain Resilience

James Greenlaw — Tue, 20 May 2025 18:09:46 +0000

Pandemics. Wars. Natural disasters. Tariff swings. If your business depends on freight shipping, you've likely felt the effects of a world that seems to change overnight. Building a resilient supply chain isn't just a best practice anymore — it's a business imperative.

From port congestion and fuel surcharges to weather events and labor shortages, the threats to your shipping network are real and growing. The good news? A third-party logistics provider (3PL) can help you anticipate disruption, respond quickly and stay competitive.

Understanding the Challenges: Why Shippers Are Vulnerable

Uncertainty has become a constant in today's supply chains. Even businesses that ship only within U.S. borders feel the effects of global issues. When tariffs rise, fuel prices spike or international trade agreements shift, those cause ripples across all freight modes — truck, air, rail and ocean. And since some shippers have fewer internal logistics resources, they're more likely to feel the pain first and recover more slowly.

Key pain points for many shippers:

Limited access to competitive carrier rates
Fewer internal tools for tracking and visibility
Less flexibility to pivot when disruption hits
More susceptible to surcharges and penalties from regulatory non-compliance

Freight Modes: Each Comes with Strengths, Challenges

Each freight mode brings its own set of strengths — and vulnerabilities — during times of supply chain disruption. Understanding where your supply chain is most exposed is the first step in building supply chain resiliency.

LTL and truckload freight

Less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) shipping are go-to options for many businesses. They offer flexible service and cost-effective pricing, especially for domestic shipments.
After the COVID pandemic's initial surge, trucking capacity grew monumentally while rates dropped — a short-term win for shippers. But this disruption led to a freight recession, causing many carriers to close up shop. Now, with demand rising and fewer trucks on the road, shippers are struggling to find capacity at reasonable rates.

However, LTL shipping allows companies to share trailer space, making it a budget-friendly option for smaller shipments. But with that affordability comes a tradeoff: more frequent handling, longer transit times and an increased risk of damage. Additionally, disruptions like driver shortages, congestion at terminals or regional weather events can ripple across LTL networks quickly.

TL shipping, on the other hand, gives shippers more control over timing and cargo security, since the freight travels directly from origin to destination. However, it can be cost-prohibitive if you're not moving enough volume to fill a truck. And when truckload capacity tightens — as it has in recent years — rates can surge, and lead times can stretch out.

Partnering with a 3PL helps mitigate these risks. They can provide access to vetted carrier networks, negotiate better rates and shift modes as market conditions evolve.

Ocean freight

Ocean freight remains one of the most cost-efficient ways to move goods internationally. However, it's highly exposed to risk:

Political unrest can force ships to take longer, more expensive routes.
Port congestion and container shortages delay deliveries.
Natural disasters or labor strikes can bring operations to a standstill.
Piracy and military conflict add physical danger and legal complexity.
Tariffs can make importing and exporting more complex and expensive.

These issues can arise suddenly and drag on for months, testing the limits of even the most resilient supply chain.

Air freight

Air freight delivers speed and security, making it the preferred mode for high-value, time-sensitive or perishable goods. It's often used for critical components in manufacturing, medical supplies or seasonal retail inventory that need to hit shelves fast.

But that speed comes at a cost — and not just financially. Air freight is among the most expensive shipping options, with rates that fluctuate dramatically based on fuel prices, global demand and aircraft availability. Beyond the cost, limited cargo space is a constant constraint, especially on passenger flights that double as cargo carriers. Weather delays, customs clearance issues and global disruptions (like labor strikes or health crises) can also ground flights and delay deliveries with little notice.

During peak seasons — like holidays — space can disappear fast. Without strong forecasting and booking agility, shippers may find themselves paying premium rates or missing critical delivery windows.
A 3PL can be a valuable ally here, too. They often have access to block space agreements with airlines, giving you priority access even during high-demand periods. They can also help evaluate when air freight is truly necessary — and when alternative modes like expedited ground or multimodal solutions might deliver similar results with lower risk.

Rail freight

Rail offers stability and lower costs, especially for bulk freight and long-haul shipping. It's a critical part of many 3PL supply chain strategies. However, it's not without risk.
Labor disputes, extreme weather and infrastructure issues can delay shipments. Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, for example, have shut down major rail lines, forcing reroutes and backlogs that ripple across the country.

How a 3PL Boosts Supply Chain Resilience

The right 3PL doesn't just manage your freight — they help you build a smarter, stronger supply chain. By combining logistics expertise with industry-leading tools, 3PLs give shippers the edge they need to weather disruptions and thrive.

Regulatory navigation

Global trade rules change constantly. A 3PL tracks these changes and ensures your shipments stay compliant — reducing costly delays, rejections or fines. Whether you're dealing with customs, international tariffs or industry-specific rules, your 3PL acts as your compliance safety net.

Mode and route optimization

A major 3PL logistics benefit is the ability to assess your entire freight shipping strategy and recommend the most efficient freight modes, routes and carriers. Your 3PL might suggest combining LTL and intermodal freight or temporarily shifting from ocean to air when speed matters. The ability to pivot quickly — and strategically — builds long-term supply chain resilience.

Freight carrier network and negotiated rates

3PLs work with a vast network of trusted freight carriers, giving you access to competitive rates and more flexible service options. Their collective buying power means:

Lower rates than you'd likely get on your own
Priority capacity during peak seasons
More consistent service across modes

Transparent cost management

Freight shipping costs can be hard to track — especially when you're juggling multiple carriers, freight classes and seasonal surcharges. A good 3PL provides transparent pricing and detailed analytics so you can:

Understand your cost drivers
Uncover areas to cut waste
Budget with greater accuracy

Real-time risk monitoring

Your 3PL should track global news, weather and supply chain trends daily. They'll help you prepare for risks like port strikes, natural disasters or fuel price spikes before they impact your business. Combined with shipment tracking, these insights allow you to act fast, reroute if needed and keep your customers informed every step of the way.

Advanced technology and data

Many 3PLs offer transportation management systems (TMS) to streamline shipping decisions — a powerful tool that helps you:

Monitor shipments in real time
Analyze historical shipping trends
Optimize routes and carrier selection
Improve your overall logistics strategy

With the right data at your fingertips, you can adapt faster and operate more efficiently.

Partner with GlobalTranz for a More Resilient Supply Chain

GlobalTranz has helped shippers of all sizes navigate freight shipping with confidence. As a leading national 3PL, we combine trusted expertise with flexible services tailored to your business growth.

With GlobalTranz, you get:

Access to 75+ LTL and 45,000+ TL carriers
Affordable, negotiated rates backed by our buying power
Custom shipping strategies designed for your unique needs
Reliable support and real-time tracking tools

When disruption strikes, we help you pivot. When opportunity knocks, we help you scale. That's the power of a well-supported 3PL supply chain.

Ready to strengthen your supply chain resilience?

The post How a 3PL Can Strengthen Your Supply Chain Resilience appeared first on GlobalTranz.

9 Tips To Offset the Impact of Tariffs and How a 3PL Provider Can Help

James Greenlaw — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:16:11 +0000

The newly implemented 2025 U.S. tariffs are making waves across industries far and wide, placing significant pressure on businesses of all sizes. Shippers that rely on imports have obviously been among the first to feel the financial strain as rising costs disrupt supply chains and profitability. And while tariffs may fluctuate, the general principle of tariffs and their disruption remain the same.

With import tariffs impacting a wide range of goods, smaller businesses are grappling with squeezed margins, while larger corporations struggle to maintain their competitive edge. Companies now must make strategic decisions regarding pricing, shipping, supply chains and overall logistics.

Below, we provide nine tips to optimize your shipping and tell you how a third-party logistics (3PL) provider can help you during these difficult times.

1. Create Short-Term and Long-Term Shipping Strategies

Tip: To successfully navigate import tariff challenges, it's essential to have both short-term and long-term shipping strategies in place. In the short term, businesses should have contingency plans that can quickly address tariff increases. This may include efforts such as sourcing new vendors and route optimization, while long-term strategies should focus on building supply chain resilience against future tariff fluctuations.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL provider can work with you to develop a dynamic shipping strategy that accommodates both immediate challenges and future uncertainties. They will analyze your current shipping processes and develop strategies to optimize your logistics operations. This could involve identifying cost-saving opportunities and recommending flexible shipping methods. A 3PL can also help by quickly matching a new vendor or expediting materials before further tariffs are implemented. By having a comprehensive plan, businesses can remain agile and minimize disruptions from tariffs.

2. Understand Customs Clearance

Tip: Navigating the complexities of customs clearance is essential for navigating tariffs. Since these taxes are often imposed at the point of entry, failing to understand customs requirements can lead to delays, penalties or unexpected costs.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL should be well-versed in customs procedures and can assist with ensuring that all necessary documentation — such as commercial invoices, certificates of origin and packing lists — are accurately completed. They can also guide you through proper classification and valuation of your products, ensuring compliance with import regulations. With their knowledge of the international logistics landscape, a 3PL provider helps you avoid costly errors and delays, making the customs process more predictable and efficient.

3. Optimize Shipping Routes

Tip: One of the most effective ways to offset the cost of tariffs is to optimize shipping routes. By analyzing and improving the routes your goods take, you can reduce transit time, minimize delays and lower transportation costs.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL provider can assess your current shipping routes and recommend more efficient alternatives. Using their expertise and extensive carrier relationships, they can help you identify the fastest and most cost-effective ways to move goods in case your shipments are delayed due to tariffs. This might even involve adjusting the mode of transportation to optimize cost savings and efficiency.

4. Stay Informed On Changes in Import Tariffs

Tip: Tariffs are dynamic and can change suddenly due to political or economic shifts. Staying informed about these changes is essential to adapting your logistics and business strategy to avoid unexpected costs.Two good sources to keep up on information include UPS: 2025 Tariffs and Their Impact on Global Trade and the FreightWaves Tariffs coverage.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL monitors tariff changes and can provide actionable insights to help businesses adapt to tariff fluctuations, minimize expenses and optimize logistics operations. This helps ensure efficient supply chains while maintaining compliance and maximizing profitability.

5. Negotiate Carrier Rates

Tip: Another way to offset the cost of tariffs is to reduce carrier rates. Negotiating better rates with carriers — whether through volume discounts or alternative shipping methods — can help businesses absorb some of the tariff burden.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL has established relationships with numerous carriers and can receive volume discounts, which allows them to negotiate better rates on behalf of their clients. Through their extensive network, a 3PL can leverage volume discounts and optimize transportation costs. They can also advise you on alternative shipping methods or carriers that might be more cost-effective, helping you lower shipping expenses and, in turn, mitigate the impact of tariffs on your overall shipping operations.

6. Leverage Dedicated Support

Tip: Understanding and navigating a shifting supply chain and logistics landscape due to tariffs can be a complex and ongoing challenge. Having a dedicated account team focused on your business needs can ensure that you always have a partner to help manage disruptions and identify opportunities to mitigate the impact of tariffs.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL can assign a dedicated account team to work closely with your business to understand your unique challenges and logistics requirements. By offering personalized support and insights, the dedicated account team can help you adjust your strategy and find the best solutions for supply chain resilience.

7. Invest In Logistics Technology

Tip: The right logistics technology can streamline operations, helping businesses manage and optimize their shipping and logistics efficiently during disruptive times. Technology provides cost saving measures and visibility into your supply chain.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL can provide access to a transportation management system that offers shipment tracking, rate comparison, automated shipping processes, integration capabilities, reporting/visibility, scalability for growth and much more. By leveraging these systems, businesses can better track their shipping costs, identify inefficiencies, adjust their strategies as necessary and make data-driven decisions to reduce the impact of rising tariffs.

8. Create Scalable Shipping Solutions

Tip: Tariffs can fluctuate unexpectedly, and it's crucial to develop scalable solutions that allow your business to respond without major disruptions. A flexible approach means you can scale shipping volumes, switch transportation methods and adjust routes based on current tariff rates.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL can design scalable shipping solutions that give you the flexibility to adapt to changes in tariffs. By utilizing their expertise and resources, they can help you expand or contract shipping volumes, react to capacity changes, adjust transportation methods and explore alternative strategies that you aren't currently utilizing. This adaptability ensures your business remains resilient, even in the face of unpredictable tariff changes.

9. Optimize Inbound and Outbound Logistics Efficiency

Tip: Tariffs affect both inbound and outbound logistics and optimizing both can help reduce costs and minimize tariff exposure. By streamlining the movement of goods back and forth within your supply chain, you can improve overall logistics efficiency and make your operations more cost-effective.
How a 3PL Can Help: A 3PL can evaluate your inbound and outbound shipping and recommend strategies for optimization. This might involve consolidating shipments, reducing excess inventory or adjusting delivery schedules to reduce costs. Their expertise in managing complex logistics networks ensures that your goods move smoothly and cost-effectively through every step of the supply chain.

Need help managing the impact of tariffs? GlobalTranz can help.

GlobalTranz has over 30 years of expertise in the logistics industry and helps thousands of freight shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. As part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers, we're part of one of the largest and most diverse 3PL networks in the industry.

Our solutions include access to a vetted network of 75+ less-than-truckload (LTL) and 45,000+ FTL freight carriers, warehousing and inventory management solutions, along with cutting-edge technology to help you minimize tariff impacts and optimize your supply chain.

Reach out today for a free consultation and let us help you navigate the challenges of tariffs.

The post 9 Tips To Offset the Impact of Tariffs and How a 3PL Provider Can Help appeared first on GlobalTranz.

5 Things To Consider When Choosing a 3PL for Blind Shipping

James Greenlaw — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:25:14 +0000

Blind shipping is a strategic method of drop shipping where the supplier's identity is concealed, and products are shipped directly from the supplier to the customer, maintaining confidentiality along your supply chain.

It's rapidly gaining popularity in the freight shipping world as businesses look to cut costs and streamline their logistics operations. Whether you're fulfilling large freight shipments or smaller orders, blind shipping offers several key advantages that can enhance your logistics strategy and drive your business forward.

What is blind shipping? And why does it matter to businesses?

In drop shipping, products are shipped directly from the supplier to the customer, speeding up order fulfillment and solving common inventory challenges. However, blind drop shipping takes it a step further by concealing the identity of your supplier. This tactic helps protect your brand’s image, prevents customers from bypassing your business to order directly from the supplier, and keeps your supplier relationships confidential from your competitors. Additional benefits include:

Blind shipping ensures that your customers focus on your business, not the supplier.
You can streamline order fulfillment and minimize the risk of shipping delays, errors and/or handling mistakes.
Even when outsourcing fulfillment, blind shipping enables you to keep customer relationships intact.

What To Look for In a Blind Shipping 3PL Provider

When adding blind shipments to your shipping strategy, it's essential to partner with a reliable third-party logistics provider (3PL) that understands the nuances of this advanced shipping tactic. Here are some key qualities to look for in a 3PL:

1. Experience and reputation

Handling blind shipping requires accuracy and expertise. Partnering with an experienced and reputable 3PL ensures your shipments are managed seamlessly. With more than 20 years of logistics experience, a 3PL like GlobalTranz can streamline your blind shipping and assist you after your strategy is launched.

2. A range of shipping solutions

A reliable 3PL should offer you extensive freight shipping solutions when you need them. This flexibility is crucial for businesses that need to fulfill orders of varying sizes. Look for a 3PL that offers less-than-truckload (LTL), full-truckload (FTL) and specialty freight, along with managed transportation and inventory/warehousing/fulfillment options.

3. Scalability as your business considers blind shipping

As your business expands and implements blind shipping, you need a partner who can handle growing order volumes and works with top-quality carriers. A well-established 3PL like GlobalTranz can provide you with access to its network of 75+ vetted LTL carriers and 45,000+ truckload carriers.

4. Intuitive shipping technology

Effective blind shipping requires a robust transportation management system (TMS). GlobalTranz offers a powerful TMS that provides real-time tracking, shipment scheduling, centralized document management and more.

5. Exceptional customer support

Blind shipping requires expertise and support at every stage of your supply chain. Your 3PL should provide dedicated customer success services to ensure everything runs smoothly during the journey of your blind shipments.

How a 3PL Can Set Up Payment, Invoicing and Customer Support Systems for Blind Shipping

Implementing a blind shipping strategy can be daunting, with invoicing, paperwork and real-time shipping difficulties feeling like a major challenge. But the right 3PL partner can set up processes to maintain confidentiality and streamline operations to avoid mishaps and miscommunications along your supply chain. Here's how:

1. Payment processing

A 3PL integrates payment systems with transportation management systems (TMS) to process payments securely.
This ensures payments are managed seamlessly without revealing the supplier’s identity, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy throughout the blind shipping transaction process.

2. Invoicing

In blind shipping, accurate and automated invoicing is crucial. A 3PL generates invoices that consolidate product, freight and handling charges into a single document.
This process ensures the customer only sees your business details, keeping supplier information hidden while ensuring timely, accurate billing and reduced invoicing errors.

3. Real-time assistance

A 3PL provides integrated support systems for blind shipping, ensuring you have real-time access to order tracking and status updates.
With the right technology, support teams can resolve inquiries quickly without revealing sensitive supplier details, maintaining a positive customer experience.

Added bonus! More ways a 3PL can streamline your logistics with blind shipping.

A 3PL can implement blind shipping to improve shipping times and delivery

Direct shipments: Blind shipping eliminates unnecessary warehousing or handling at the shipper's location, streamlining the process.
Faster fulfillment: Since products ship directly from the supplier, the time between order placement and delivery is reduced, especially when suppliers are strategically located near customers.
Optimized delivery routes: 3PL providers can leverage trusted carrier networks to select the most efficient shipping methods.

A 3PL can help your sustainability efforts with blind shipping

Reduced packaging waste: By cutting down on excess handling and warehousing, blind shipping minimizes unnecessary packaging.
Lower carbon footprint: Direct shipments reduce transportation stages, leading to fewer emissions and a smaller environmental impact.
Decreased warehouse energy consumption: With fewer goods passing through warehouses, there is less need for lighting, heating and cooling in storage facilities. This can contribute to overall energy savings and reducing the environmental footprint of warehousing operations.

Take your shipping strategy to the next level with blind shipping. GlobalTranz can help!

GlobalTranz has more than 20 years of success in the logistics industry and helps thousands of freight shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers.

Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions that help them succeed — including blind shipping. That includes teaming up shippers with our top freight solutions and network of 75+ LTL and 45,000+ FTL freight carriers!

Ready to learn more about our blind shipping services? Reach out for a free consultation!

The post 5 Things To Consider When Choosing a 3PL for Blind Shipping appeared first on GlobalTranz.

Blind Shipping: Solution for Inventory & Labor Challenges

James Greenlaw — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:30:18 +0000

Is your business facing rapid growth, supply chain disruptions and/or unpredictable customer demand? If so, optimizing your inventory management strategy can be a game-changer. Imagine shipping products directly from your supplier to your customer while maintaining the appearance that your business is the source. That's what you get from blind shipping, and we're here to tell you all about it!

In short, blind shipping is a fulfillment method that works similarly to drop shipping, with one crucial difference: the product's origin remains anonymous. When you use blind shipment solutions, the supplier's information is hidden, and the product appears to come directly from your business. This preserves your brand integrity and ensures a seamless experience for your customers.

This method offers a solution to various inventory and shipping challenges for businesses just like yours. Below, we outline three ways blind shipping can help optimize your logistics, keep inventories healthy and save you money!

1. Adapt To Fluctuating Inventory and Supply Chain Demand

If your business faces seasonal demand changes or unpredictable customer buying patterns, accurately predicting inventory levels can be a struggle. Overstocking means wasted resources, while running out of stock can lead to lost sales. Blind shipping offers the flexibility to keep your operations nimble when supply chain demand planning is difficult. With blind shipment solutions, you can quickly fulfill customer orders, even if you're out of stock, ensuring customer satisfaction without the need to manage bulky inventory.

In short, blind shipping helps streamline your supply chain, making it easier to manage both excess and low stock levels. It's especially beneficial for businesses with seasonal spikes in orders, helping them stay agile and reduce the risk of overstocking or understocking.

Ideal for: Businesses with seasonal products or fluctuating demand who want to avoid the burden of inventory management.

2. Grow Without the Need for More Warehousing

As your business expands, the need for more warehouse space often follows. But what if you could avoid the need to invest in additional storage while still increasing the range of products you offer? Blind shipping enables you to grow your business without worrying about additional space.

By eliminating the need for inventory storage and extensive warehouse management, you can cut overhead costs. You can also broaden your product offerings without being constrained by physical storage limits. This makes it easier to offer a more diverse range of products, all while preserving your brand identity.

Ideal for: E-commerce businesses and online retailers who want to expand their product range without the hassle of managing additional warehouse space.

3. Overcome Logistics Staffing Challenges

Labor shortages can cause major problems for businesses that rely on warehouse fulfillment. In fact, the current logistics labor shortage is one of the issues we tackle in our 2025 State of the Shipping Industry Report.

If you're struggling to fill positions or manage an increased workload, blind shipping is the perfect solution. Since blind shipping allows products to be shipped directly from your supplier to the customer, you can reduce the need for additional warehouse labor.

This strategy minimizes handling and packaging tasks, freeing up your current staff to focus on higher-value activities, such as marketing and customer service. Partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can further streamline operations and allow your team to focus on business growth rather than logistics management.

Ideal for: Startups and small businesses that want to reduce labor costs and focus on growing their customer base without additional staffing concerns.

Blind Shipping + 3PL Provider Support = A Winning Combination

Incorporating blind shipping into your business model can save you money, improve efficiency and protect your brand's identity. However, to ensure smooth execution, it's crucial that the handling of sensitive information (like labels and documentation) is managed properly. A mistake could compromise the confidentiality of your supplier, which would defeat the purpose of why you blind ship in the first place.

Working with an experienced third-party logistics (3PL) provider can ensure everything runs smoothly. A 3PL has the knowledge and infrastructure to help you integrate blind shipment into your supply chain seamlessly. By outsourcing logistics (also known as managed transportation) to a trusted partner, you can focus on growing your brand and providing excellent customer support. And you have options to outsource all your logistics or just part of it — whatever works best for you.

GlobalTranz Can Help You Leverage Blind Shipping To Tackle Inventory Management

Want to learn more about blind shipping? We're here to help you scale your business, manage your inventory more effectively and unlock the full potential of blind shipment services. Whether you're looking to implement less-than-truckload (LTL) and/or full truckload (FTL) shipping, or manage fluctuating supply chain demand, our experts are ready to guide you through every step of the process.

GlobalTranz has more than 30 years of success in the logistics industry and helps thousands of freight shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions that help them succeed. That includes teaming up shippers with top freight solutions and carriers from our network of 75+ LTL freight and 45,000+ FTL shipping carriers!

Take your business to the next level with blind shipping — efficient, flexible, and scalable. Reach out for a free shipping consultation today!

The post Blind Shipping: Solution for Inventory & Labor Challenges appeared first on GlobalTranz.

7 Advanced Strategies for LTL Freight Optimization

James Greenlaw — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:34:43 +0000

As an experienced shipper of less-than-truckload (LTL) freight, you likely feel confident in your shipping processes. Yet, you might question if there are optimization strategies you haven't yet discovered. Could there be new techniques or innovative approaches to streamline your process and further reduce costs or improve efficiency?

For seasoned LTL freight shippers, digging into more sophisticated strategies can help you optimize your shipping operations and reduce costs. Let's look at some ways you could potentially improve your LTL freight shipping.

1. Diversify Carrier Network for Freight Optimization

If you're happy with your current LTL carrier (or carriers), you might not have looked at other options for a while. But carriers and offerings can change, as can your business needs. To make sure you're getting the best service and pricing for your business, it's important to evaluate your current LTL carrier mix, see who's performing best for your specific lanes and commodities, and look at what other providers can offer.

Collaborating with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider like GlobalTranz can give you access to a wide variety of vetted carriers and additional capacity options. Creating a multi-carrier strategy that aligns their offerings with your LTL shipping needs gives you greater control and efficiency.

2. Gain Control of Your Inbound LTL Shipping

A lot of experienced freight shippers focus on outbound logistics, relying on their suppliers to handle inbound shipments. But this can limit visibility into a vital part of your supply chain, complicating inventory management and potentially causing dock congestion and staff scheduling issues.

If this sounds like a problem you encounter, an important next step in your freight shipping strategy could be using your own carriers for inbound shipments. This can give you better visibility and control and result in cost savings. Forging tight relationships with a few trusted carriers can help you negotiate long-term contracts that are more cost-effective than spot rates in the long run.

A 3PL like GlobalTranz can be a huge help in selecting the right dedicated carriers for your outbound and inbound needs. We have relationships with over 75 LTL and 45,000+ full truckload (FTL) carriers along with expertise in helping shippers gain greater control over their supply chain.

3. Consolidate Freight Shipping and Save Money

If your LTL shipping volume is growing, freight consolidation can be an excellent strategy for reducing costs and the handling of your cargo. Got multiple LTL freight shipments going to the same destination around the same time? Combining them into one FTL shipment could save money and get your freight there with fewer stops, which means less handling and faster transit times. Even if you don't have enough freight to make FTL feasible, there are intermediate options such as partial truckload (PTL) and volume LTL that provide some of the benefits of FTL — and could save you money compared with multiple LTL freight shipments.

Another option for consolidating freight — if your load is coming from a distribution center used by other businesses — is pooling shipments. If the other companies have shipments going to the same destination, you could share truck space and split labor and handling costs, making it a win-win for all your businesses.

A 3PL can be a valued partner in either scenario, advising you on the best mode for your shipments or helping you connect with businesses within the same warehouse or distribution center. 3PLs will coordinate shared transportation, negotiate rates and manage logistics, helping you get the most out of freight consolidation.

4. Be a Valued Partner to LTL Freight Carriers

Relationships are important in the shipping industry, but that is especially true when it comes to LTL freight. Carriers are hoping to pick up large loads from multiple customers in a timely manner so they can stick to a schedule and their delivery commitments. If you demonstrate a mutual commitment to their goals, carriers will trust and value your business and prioritize you in times of high volume and demand.

The best way to gain this priority status is to be transparent and honor your commitments to them. Be precise with your scheduling, making sure you schedule pickups when you're sure your loads are ready. This helps minimize dwell time — the amount of time carriers spend at pickup and delivery sites.

Not only is avoiding unnecessary dwell time crucial to keeping carriers moving efficiently, but it also saves you from being hit with additional shipping fees, since carriers will charge "detention time" surcharges for waiting longer than expected.

5. Avoid LTL Freight Rejection

Shipments being rejected upon attempted delivery will disrupt your timing, damage customer relationships and hurt your bottom line. If you've had your freight rejected before, make sure you've addressed the problems with your staff and communicated with your customer and carrier about how to avoid the same thing happening again.

If you've never had this happen, be sure you know the potential causes for rejected freight so you can continue to prevent it. Ensure accurate bills of lading (BOL) by being precise about weight, freight class, purchase order numbers and other important pieces of information. Use best practices in packaging and securing freight to avoid damage — another common reason freight is rejected by recipients. And work with reliable carriers to help ensure time-sensitive shipments arrive when they're needed.

6. Uncover More Insights With an LTL Freight Services Audit

If you want an organized and efficient way to consider all of the above and more, a freight audit can help you assess your current shipping landscape and find ways to refine your shipping strategies.

This process involves checking for invoice accuracy, identifying unnecessary costs, and ensuring optimal service selections. You'll also examine your day-to-day fulfillment operations to identify any weaknesses or opportunities in various areas — for example, evaluating packaging practices, gauging how well pickup windows are working with the flow of your business, and finding inefficiencies in your processes.

7. Seek Help for LTL Optimization

All the above ideas, while valuable in the long run, add time and effort to your already hectic day-to-day workload. A 3PL like GlobalTranz can provide a team of experts with experience in analyzing freight operations for LTL optimization. They can also provide valuable support and expertise in implementing the recommended strategies. If you're a frequent LTL freight shipper, continually assessing and adapting your shipping strategies as markets evolve and your business grows (or faces challenges) is key to success.

Explore the Benefits LTL Freight Shipping Optimization With GlobalTranz

GlobalTranz has decades of experience in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions that help them succeed. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we service more than 48 million shipments annually and have the resources and expertise to work with companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.

See how GlobalTranz can help you transform your LTL freight shipping. If you are ready to talk to an expert, reach out for a free consultation today!

The post 7 Advanced Strategies for LTL Freight Optimization appeared first on GlobalTranz.

FTL Freight Shipping: 8 Questions Answered

James Greenlaw — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 20:29:01 +0000

As your business expands, you may find that changes in your shipping strategy become increasingly apparent over time. Have your less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments grown in size, weight or frequency? Are you experiencing challenges with the rules and additional fees associated with LTL that are impacting your efficiency and profitability? If so, it's worthwhile to consider transitioning to full-truckload (FTL) freight shipping.

Moving from LTL to FTL can feel like a significant leap, one that requires thorough preparation. This guide aims to address common questions about the distinctions between LTL and FTL shipping, as well as the potential benefits of making the switch to FTL.

1. What is the difference between LTL and FTL shipping?

With FTL freight shipping (also known as truckload shipping) you get a truck solely dedicated to your shipment! This is the fundamental difference from LTL freight shipping, where your pallets travel in trailers along with freight from other shippers.

2. How are rates calculated for LTL vs FTL freight shipping?

One big hassle (and source of rate hikes) in LTL is determining the freight class of your shipment according to The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). LTL freight must be assessed by density, stowability, handling and liability, which all affect rates. FTL freight shipping, on the other hand, is priced by weight, volume, distance and commodity, so it's simpler and avoids possible reclassification fees.

3. Is FTL cost-effective?

If what you need to ship is higher volume, it's likely going to save you money to ship it as a full truckload versus one or more LTL shipments. Besides the volume discount, you may be able to avoid common LTL fees for things like reweighing, redelivery, appointment pickup or delivery, oversized/odd-shaped pallets and more. However, you should always price out the two options if cost is your main concern.

4. Are there size or weight limits for FTL freight shipping?

Although there's no minimums, you probably wouldn't benefit from FTL for shipments less than 10,000 lbs. As for maximums, FTL shipments involve the use of an entire trailer dedicated to your shipment, so they can be a lot bigger and heavier than LTL shipments. You're generally limited only by the size and type of truck or trailer. They can often hold up to 30 pallets or 45,000 lbs. Learn more about when you should move from LTL to FTL shipping.

Of course, there are state and federal transportation regulations, road weight limits, and other restrictions on oversized or overweight loads. Work closely with your carrier or third-party logistics (3PL) provider to make sure you've considered all legal and practical angles.

5. How does FTL freight shipping differ from LTL freight shipping in terms of transit time?

For time-sensitive shipments, FTL may be the answer. Full truckload shipping tends to have faster transit times because there are no stops along the route to pick up or deliver other people's shipments. Loading and unloading can also sometimes go more quickly because workers won't have to move or unload/reload other pallets to get yours off the truck.

6. Is FTL freight shipping better for fragile or high-value freight?

FTL freight shipping service gives you a significant advantage if you want added peace of mind about a higher-value or fragile shipment. With a whole truck to yourself, there are no stops to deliver another company's products. Your freight won't be moved around or unloaded/reloaded to accommodate pickups and deliveries of other businesses' goods. There also won't be any transloading (moving your product from one truck to another at terminals).

Less handling of your product equals less chance of damage, theft or loss — it's as simple as that!

7. What can FTL freight shipping service handle that LTL can’t?

FTL can be used to ship oversized items or loads — products that are wider or longer than what LTL freight shipping can carry. It's also the perfect solution if you need to ship items that are oddly shaped or won't fit on a pallet.

Since you have a truck all to yourself, you also have more flexibility in terms of equipment. For example, you can book a vehicle that fulfills special requirements: refrigerated trucks, flatbeds, dry van and more.

8. Should I work directly with a carrier or go through a 3PL for FTL shipping?

It depends on your specific situation. If you have a robust in-house logistics department, working directly with carriers may be feasible. One thing to keep in mind is that, especially in today's challenging freight market, carriers may go out of business or reduce operations, forcing your staff to start the search for a new provider all over again. A 3PL can minimize the disruption to your operations because they have relationships with multiple freight carriers and can help you quickly switch to a new one.

A 3PL Can Optimize FTL Shipping for You in Several Other Ways

Expertise. A 3PL's expertise in FTL shipping can help you navigate the complexities of FTL shipping, provide advice on route optimization, carrier selection, and ensure compliance with regulations and requirements.
Wide network. 3PLs have an established network of trusted and vetted transportation providers, which saves you time and effort in choosing carriers and adds peace of mind.
Better rates. Those relationships with carriers mean 3PLs can negotiate competitive rates on your behalf. They'll also help you determine whether FTL is the most cost-effective choice for your shipment.
Streamlined operations. A 3PL can handle tasks such as load planning, scheduling, freight documentation and carrier communication. That lets you focus on their core operations, saving time and resources.
Technology. 3PLs often provide advanced transportation management systems (TMS) and other technology designed to help you streamline your FTL shipping processes and gain better visibility into your supply chain.
Scalability. As you grow or experience fluctuations in your shipping needs, a 3PL can quickly adapt to adjust capacity, find better shipping options or recommend cost-saving strategies.
Risk mitigation. By ensuring carrier compliance, conducting thorough audits, and providing insurance options, a 3PL can protect small to mid-size businesses from potential losses and liabilities associated with FTL shipping.

Explore the Benefits of FTL With a 3PL Partner Like GlobalTranz

GlobalTranz has decades of experience in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions that help them succeed. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we service more than 48 million shipments annually, and have the resources and expertise to work with companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.

See how GlobalTranz can help you transform your freight shipping. If you are ready to talk to an expert, reach out for a free consultation today!

The post FTL Freight Shipping: 8 Questions Answered appeared first on GlobalTranz.

Looking for a new freight carrier? Here’s your checklist.

James Greenlaw — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:52:53 +0000

As a business owner, nurturing professional relationships across your supply chain is essential — including those involving suppliers, vendors, partners and customers. However, building these connections can be difficult for shippers, particularly when they are looking for new freight carriers.

The partnership between shipper and carrier is vital to ensuring timely pickup and delivery of products. It's also crucial since carriers often serve as the face of your company, as their drivers directly engage with your customers during delivery. That's why conducting thorough research is paramount when selecting carriers.

Start a Relationship With a Freight Carrier — the Right Way

GlobalTranz is a leading third-party logistics provider (3PL) that helps shippers of all sizes move freight efficiently. That includes assisting them in finding carriers that are a good fit for them. To learn what questions you should ask before choosing the right shipping carrier, download our Shopping for a New Freight Carrier Checklist. In this guide, we discuss the importance of asking the right questions in your search for both FTL and LTL shipping carriers, including:

Do you deliver where I need my freight to go?
Do you offer the services I need?
What's your on-time performance?
What's your business philosophy?
What amount of cargo insurance do you carry?

Download Now!

We also outline the steps that you can take to ensure you are keeping up with your end of the partnership. That includes making prompt payments and communicating shipment cancellations as soon as possible.

GlobalTranz Can Help You Develop Strong Carrier Relationships

GlobalTranz has decades of experience in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions and financial stability that helps them succeed. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we service more than 48 million shipments annually, and have the resources and expertise to work with companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.

Download our Shopping for a New Freight Carrier Checklist today to learn more about developing relationships with LTL and FTL carriers. If you are ready to speak to an expert, reach out for a free freight shipping consultation.

The post Looking for a new freight carrier? Here’s your checklist. appeared first on GlobalTranz.

Survive the Continuing Freight Recession With These 5 Tips

James Greenlaw — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 22:11:00 +0000

The shipping industry continues to feel the impact of an ongoing freight recession that started in 2022 and that is expected to continue until at least the second half of 2024. In fact, in our State of the Shipping Industry Report 2024, we named it the top trend we are watching.

In this guide, we look at the reasons for the freight recession, the challenges you will continue to face and the opportunities you can take advantage of. Most importantly, we provide you with tips on how to navigate it moving forward.

5 Ways To Navigate the Freight Recession

The freight recession is largely due to slower consumer spending after the COVID-19 pandemic ended. Because of this, freight carriers began to slash rates in 2023 to attract shippers, while freight brokers started doing whatever they could to make up for reduced compensation. Additionally, thousands of carriers who didn't diversify their services started laying off employees last year or closing their doors altogether.

While this certainly remains a concern for everyone in the industry, freight shippers have been breathing a little more easily. What was a carrier market for years with high demand and tight cargo capacity has turned into a shipper's market, giving companies more options at rates that are easier on their budget.

Some analysts are forecasting that the economy will slightly improve by the second half of 2024. But before the tables turn and the rates increase, shippers can use tips from this guide and make the most of a difficult shipping situation.

1. High supply, low demand

Like we have said, freight shipping has not rebounded and is not expected to do so until the second half of the year. That means slow consumer spending, potentially erratic fuel prices and unsteady global markets all continue to take their toll on the freight shipping industry for both carriers and shippers. In fact, the demand for shipping still has not bounced back to pandemic levels and the supply of cargo space remains high in 2024. That simply means struggling freight carriers are more willing to negotiate shipping rates to keep current shippers loyal and gain more business.

What you can do

While landing fewer purchases may be an "ouch" for your business, a slow economy can work in favor for you as a shipper. You'll benefit from lower spot rates for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments and can negotiate better contract pricing for full truckload. You can turn those savings into an advantage for both you and your customers. If your carrier is no longer in business, has sold portions of its fleet or you're unhappy with their services, take these steps to find a new carrier:

Work with a third-party logistics (3PL) company that has a network of national, regional and local carriers willing to negotiate rates.
Compare rates from multiple carriers. Some may be willing to negotiate better pricing if they know they're up against competition.
Research freight service options among various carriers to ensure they add value to your shipping.

2. Diverse shipping modes

Trucking companies aren't the only freight carriers that have been feeling the pinch since the recession started. There has been an abundance of empty cargo space for ocean freight, rail and air carriers, too. To save money, some carriers started reducing the number of loads they have accepted, while others went out of business. The ones still in business have dropped their rates in response to decreasing freight shipping movement.

What you can do

Decreased pricing can make shippers more open to using different shipping modes — or mix and match their options. If freight carriers are reducing their fleets or shuttering altogether, you can turn to air, ocean or rail as an alternative. In particular, since air freight prices have dropped, you could use it to your advantage and offer faster shipping at a lower cost to attract new customers and reward current ones. Using multiple modes, either separately or in a multimodal or intermodal capacity, can be a logistics challenge. However, 3PL experts can help you navigate the various methods of transporting your freight shipping to its destination.

3. Carrier of choice status

In previous years, when cargo capacity was in high demand, shippers needing space for their freight had to earn "shipper of choice" status with their carriers. Tables have turned, and with cargo space still in low demand due to the recession, shippers now have the advantage. "Shipper of choice" has turned into "carrier of choice." Shippers can set higher expectations for their carriers making them more willing to negotiate rates and offer more service options to keep and gain new business.

What you can do

Since carriers have been vying for loads since the beginning of the freight trucking recession, you have more opportunities to make service demands. Keep in mind that additional services will still come at a cost. But in a shippers' market, freight carriers may be more willing to negotiate — especially with 3PL companies who can bring them steady business from their shipping clients. Consider the following:

Delivery times. Faster shipping can attract more customers to your business. Talk to your carrier if you need to adjust your delivery times. If they can't help you, work with a 3PL company to find carriers that will.
White glove services. Use this time to give your customers premium service, such as inside delivery, unpacking/assembly, added security and insurance for precious commodities.
Real-time tracking. Review your carrier's shipment tracking capabilities. Knowing when shipments will arrive can help with inventory control and fulfillment services. Your customers will appreciate getting timely notifications, too.
Accessorial fees. Carriers may increase their accessorial fees to compensate for lower rates. Your 3PL consultant can identify those costs and help you negotiate with the carriers.

4. Increase in the cost of fuel prices

Fuel prices are constantly fluctuating and can erratically affect your shipping costs. In fact, the price of diesel fluctuates every day — hourly even. Since the freight recession started, fuel prices have historically been elevated but as of January 2024 showed promising rebounds. Regardless, there's no way to anticipate if the cost of diesel will go up or down. And with the unpredictability that we have seen since the freight recession began, shippers should look for ways to account for potential increases.

What you can do

Now would be a good time to evaluate your shipping strategy. Here's a start:

Review your shipping lanes to determine if more direct routes can be taken.
When poor weather conditions or construction are prevalent, calculate if shipping around those areas can ultimately save time and fuel.
Time your shipments to minimize or avoid empty legs on return trips.
Store your products in warehouses more proximate to your customers.

Your 3PL expert can work through these scenarios with you to find the best options.

5. Customer service expectations

Shippers work with freight brokers and 3PLs to access more carriers at discounted rates. During a freight recession, carriers with excess cargo space may lower their rates. To make up for the difference on their end, some freight brokers may reduce the quality of service they offer.

What you can do

Meet with your broker to ensure that while carrier rates may be lower than pandemic levels the customer service your 3PL provides remains the same. If you find their services aren't top notch (regardless of price), it may be a good time to research opportunities with other partnerships.

Need assistance navigating the freight recession? GlobalTranz can help!

GlobalTranz has decades of experience in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions and financial stability that helps them succeed. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we service more than 48 million shipments annually, and have the resources and expertise to work with companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.

See how GlobalTranz can help you transform your freight shipping. If you are ready to talk to an expert, reach out for a free consultation today!

The post Survive the Continuing Freight Recession With These 5 Tips appeared first on GlobalTranz.

6 Benefits of Freight Consolidation Services (and How They Can Optimize Your Shipping)

mzugovic — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

For some shippers, freight expenditures are one of the highest costs in their logistics and supply chain operations. There are many complexities and considerations when moving products by freight, and selecting the wrong services and solutions can incur additional expenses.

To reduce spending in this area, companies have looked for ways to improve efficiency, manage all parts of the manufacturing and shipping process, and eliminate all sources of delays. One of the solutions where many of our customers see success is freight consolidation — sometimes known as consolidated cargo or transportation consolidation, among other names.

What is consolidated freight shipping?

Freight consolidation is the process of combining multiple less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments (that are headed to the same location or region) into one full truckload (FTL) shipment. While this is the principle definition of the practice, there are multiple variations of how it works.

For example, all the consolidated LTL freight shipping could come from the same company. Or in many cases, multiple shippers could work together and share space on an FTL truck.

Additionally, the FTL freight carrier could make multiple stops to pick up the LTL loads or could gather them all at a warehouse space shared by multiple shippers.

There are other consolidated freight strategies, too. What's important to remember is that more than one LTL shipment will be sharing space on an FTL truck when leveraging consolidated freight.

6 Advantages of Transportation Consolidation

There are many advantages to implementing consolidated freight into your shipping strategy. In many cases, it can save you money, optimize your supply chain and keep customers happy.

But remember, LTL freight can still have a very important role in your shipping strategy. Sometimes it will just make sense to leverage consolidated freight. Here is a detailed look at six reasons to incorporate it:

Reduced shipping costs — Typically with FTL freight, you would pay for the entire truck no matter how much space you take up. However, with freight consolidation, you have the opportunity to split costs with other companies that are sharing space on the truck with you.
Quicker delivery times — FTL shipping stops fewer times and there is far less loading and unloading of products compared to the standard LTL hub-and-spoke distribution process. This allows shipments to arrive faster at their destination.
Less chance of damage — As mentioned above, LTL freight is handled more often than FTL, which makes it more susceptible to loss or damage. In general, that makes FTL freight shipments safer during transit.
Minimized emissions — Customers (along with the environment) appreciate your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint. If you implement transportation consolidation, you can add this to your environmental statement on your website and let customers know you do your best to create fuel efficiency by reducing empty space on trucks.
Improved tracking and delivery forecasting — With fewer trucks involved, leveraging consolidated freight with FTL shipping allows you to avoid multiple tracking numbers. This can make tracking easier, and delivery estimates more accurate. This is particularly true if you partner with a third-party logistics (3PL) with a robust transportation management system.
Improved customer relationships — When your shipments are delivered faster, more efficiently and with greater tracking capabilities, your customers will be happy. Better services generally mean repeat customers, and freight consolidation can help in this regard.

How a 3PL Can Help With Consolidated Freight

There are many benefits to freight consolidation services, and the six we mention here can definitely bring value to your company. However, implementing a consolidated freight strategy — from point A to Z — can be difficult for many shippers who do not have experience in this area. That's where a 3PL can help.

These logistics partners can enable shippers — particularly those with multiple locations — to compile data, analyze processes and consolidate shipments into full truckloads where possible. They should also have a large network of vetted FTL freight carrier partners and offer a transportation management system to help companies easily navigate the nuances of transportation consolidation.

Lastly, for the convenience of shippers, a 3PL can help you take advantage of unused space among their network of customers who are currently utilizing or are interested in leveraging freight consolidation.

GlobalTranz Can Maximize Freight Consolidation Strategy

GlobalTranz has decades of experience in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions and financial stability that helps them succeed. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we ship 48 million shipments annually, and have the resources and expertise to work with companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.

See how GlobalTranz can help you transform your freight shipping with our transportation consolidation solutions. Reach out for a free consultation today!

The post 6 Benefits of Freight Consolidation Services (and How They Can Optimize Your Shipping) appeared first on GlobalTranz.

Combine Outbound and Inbound Logistics With the Help of a 3PL

James Greenlaw — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 23:54:28 +0000

Combine Outbound and Inbound Logistics With the Help of a 3PL

Outbound logistics is the area of shipping where businesses tend to put the most emphasis. It’s a common formula: choose a carrier, determine pricing and select the needed services. They have complete control over this process and can do an about-face at any time. However, inbound logistics is often in the hands of their suppliers who pick their favorite carriers, select the service they want and invoice the shipper for the cost.

In reality, suppliers largely like it that way. They don’t want to give up control of their freight shipping for the same reasons you want to take it over: speed, cost and reliability. However, when businesses no longer manage their own inbound freight, it means they no longer have complete oversight of their supply chain.

But what if there was an efficient way to manage both your inbound and outbound logistics so you could have complete visibility of your freight shipping operations without placing extra burden on your business? Fortunately, for shippers, there is a way.

Inbound Logistics

Involves the flow and shipment of goods into a business. This could include raw materials or assembled products.

Outbound Logistics

Process of moving inventory from the business location to customers. It includes packaging, shipping and delivery.

Inbound Logistics

Involves the flow and shipment of goods into a business. This could include raw materials or assembled products.

Outbound Logistics

Process of moving inventory from the business location to customers. It includes packaging, shipping and delivery.

Optimize Your Inbound and Outbound Logistics With Dedicated Fleet Services

You don’t always need to let your supplier control your inbound logistics. Your supply chain shouldn’t be a one-way street since it’s important you know when inbound freight will arrive. Without clear vision, managing dock congestion and scheduling dock workers for loading and unloading is challenging. It’s also difficult to be certain of how much inventory to keep on hand while waiting for a truck to arrive.

To create efficiency in your supply chain and put shipments on a predictable schedule, working with carriers that offer dedicated fleet services to handle both your inbound and outbound freight will help you gain a competitive advantage. Dedicated carriers provide a long-term commitment at a set price — opposed to spot rates — to ship your goods. There are many advantages to these relationships, including the following:

Carrier capacity — Lining up dedicated carriers with a semi-yearly or yearly contract helps eliminate issues of carrier capacity.
Effective fronthaul and backhaul shipping — Using a dedicated carrier for inbound and outbound freight between two destinations is more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective.
Fewer hassles — There’s no need to find carriers for every shipment or jostle for better pricing. Once you contract with a dedicated fleet services provider, you’re set for an extended period.
Cost effective — Carriers are more willing to negotiate lower prices for contracts with consistent freight volume. When spot rates decrease, however, you may be paying higher prices if your contract was negotiated when rates were higher. This is one reason to review contracts annually.

Product integrity — After you build a relationship, you can trust your carrier to know how to handle complex shipments and those with special handling requirements. They can also provide the necessary equipment for safe transport.
On-time delivery — Having a set schedule helps guarantee your shipments will be picked up and delivered on time, which is particularly important for tight delivery windows.
Inventory management — When working with dedicated carriers, you will know when inbound shipments will arrive, which enables better inventory control, improved cash flow and other transportation optimization benefits.
Long-term relationships — Your carrier drivers will become familiar with the schedule, route and people at your locations, which can help with delivery and building customer relationships.

Pro Tip

A dedicated carrier is another word for contract carrier. Instead of getting spot quotes, dedicated/contract carriers have a longtime commitment at a set price to ship your goods.

Leverage a Third-Party Logistics Provider To Maximize Dedicated Carriers

A third-party logistics (3PL) company can guide you in taking a proactive approach with your vendors. Using historical data and predictive analysis, they’ll help you understand the cost benefits of handling both outbound and inbound freight with a dedicated carrier of your choice.

You’ll also have access to thousands of full truckload shipping (FTL) carriers in the 3PL network. Using their transportation management system (TMS), you can do a quick search to find carriers with ongoing capacity and the equipment and services you need for your shipments. Through the TMS, you’ll also have full visibility of the status of your shipments so you can monitor them and prepare for their arrival.

GlobalTranz can help with all your inbound and outbound shipping needs!

GlobalTranz has decades of experience in the logistics industry and helps thousands of shippers of all sizes move products with great efficiency. We are also part of WWEX Group, alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers. Combined, these three companies make up one of the largest and most diverse 3PLs in the industry, providing shippers with top solutions and financial stability that helps them succeed. Through our full suite of shipping solutions, we service more than 120,000 shipments daily, and have the resources and expertise to work with companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.

See how GlobalTranz can help you transform your freight shipping. If you are ready to talk to an expert, reach out for a free consultation today!

The post Combine Outbound and Inbound Logistics With the Help of a 3PL appeared first on GlobalTranz.

The State of the Shipping Industry: 7 Trends We Are Watching in 2024

James Greenlaw — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 19:06:20 +0000

Were you impacted by the shipping turbulence of 2023? It's likely you were since a massive freight recession and soft consumer demand sent the shipping industry into a tailspin.

How To Navigate the Shipping Industry in 2024

Despite the adversity we are seeing, shippers like you have an opportunity to optimize your shipping operations for cost savings and efficiency. Don't know where to start? WWEX Group is here to help. Download our "State of the Shipping Industry Report: 7 Trends To Watch for in 2024" to get a peek at the topics that will shape the shipping industry this year. Here, we discuss important trends including:

The freight recession
Sustainable shipping
Optimizing your freight shipping
Supply chain resiliency

Download Now!

We also provide tips on how to leverage tools and resources to expertly navigate 2024 for increased profitability and operational efficiency. Additionally, we tell you what to look for in a shipping partner and how a 3PL can ensure your success in the coming year.

Lean On WWEX Group and GlobalTranz for a Prosperous and Profitable 2024

As a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, WWEX Group takes the growing pains out of growth by partnering with businesses that need shipping solutions — whether it's parcel, freight or end-to-end logistics management.

As the parent company of GlobalTranz, we provide a nearly unmatched combination of adept talent, shipping industry relationships and a far-reaching distribution model. With a unified mindset and a single infrastructure, we're redefining the standard for service and turning logistics into a growth opportunity — instead of a roadblock — for businesses of all sizes.

Download our "State of the Shipping Industry Report: 7 Trends To Watch for in 2024" to get ahead this year. If you are ready to speak to an expert, contact GlobalTranz for a free consultation today!

The post The State of the Shipping Industry: 7 Trends We Are Watching in 2024 appeared first on GlobalTranz.

7 Steps To Implement an Effective Reverse Logistics Process with a 3PL

mzugovic — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Retail product returns can make a big impact on your bottom line. In fact, these returns account for an estimated $165 million in losses per $1 billion in sales.¹ Without a proper reverse logistics strategy, your business could lose out on profits simply for not being prepared. But don't worry — leading third-party logistics providers have the tools, resources and support you need to create an ideal reverse logistics strategy. In this article, we'll walk you through the basics of reverse logistics and seven steps you'll need to follow to create your own reverse logistics strategy.

An Overview of Reverse Logistics Management

Reverse logistics encompasses any reuptake, recycling, refurbishing and redistribution of goods. From the intake of returned items to the repurposing or reintroducing of those goods back into the marketplace, a solid reverse logistics management strategy can help your business maximize the value of returned products regardless of their condition.

Reverse logistics encompasses:

Return shipping of products
Product recalls
Reselling of returned items
Repairing or refurbishing items
Remanufacturing items to reuse the raw materials
Recycling products that cannot be reused

What do reverse logistics providers offer?

Leading reverse logistics providers offer a comprehensive view and holistic approach to supply chain optimization. From the intake of raw materials to the distribution of returned goods back into the marketplace, a quality reverse logistics provider will help you with:

Scalability and flexibility within your supply chain
Deep industry and geographical knowledge and expertise
Transparency into the entire product life cycle
Distribution and refurbishment center management
Data integration and web-based technology

How will 3PL reverse logistics help my business?

Reverse logistics management from a trusted 3PL can transform the way your business operates. Optimizing your reverse supply chain can help you save money, improve operations, and so much more.

Benefits of 3PL reverse logistics management include:

Reduced administrative, transportation and aftermarket support costs
Increased efficiency
Increased service market share
Higher achievement of sustainability goals
Greater customer service and higher retention levels
A synchronized supply chain to include forward logistics, inbound logistics, and reverse logistics
Transparency in supply chain operations across your network
Automatic consolidation of data from partners and systems

7 Steps to Implement a Reverse Logistics Process and How a 3PL Can Help

Looking to implement a reverse logistics process? Follow these steps to create a solid strategy. And make sure to partner with a reverse supply chain expert to ensure that your supply chain optimization efforts are as efficient as possible.

1. Develop and communicate a returns policy.

A reverse logistics process always starts with a clearly communicated returns policy. Returns happen, there's no way around it. Set yourself up for success by crafting and putting into place a clear-cut process for returns. Then make sure that your process is clearly stated on your website or by your sales representatives. Your customers should be in the loop in order to streamline the process and avoid any potentially upset clientele.

2. Collect and analyze returns data.

After you've implemented your new returns process, it's imperative to start collecting and analyzing data so that you both have an idea of where your profit benchmarks should be and also inform your future decisions to maximize efficiency. Make sure to collect and compile all data points so that you can effectively audit your process and continuously improve your supply chain.

3. Create an area for handling returns.

One quick way to optimize your reverse logistics process is to section off a specific area to handle all returns. Not only will you save time when processing returns, but you will also save yourself and your employees energy by having all returns in one centralized location. No room to designate a set returns area? No problem! Certain 3PLs offer warehousing solutions to help you make the most of your space.

4. Set up inbound shipping logistics for transporting products for returns, refurbishing and other reverse logistics tasks.

Once you have a returns plan in action, complete with data recording and a designated work area, you'll want to take a look at how your returns make their way back to you and plan for what will happen to them once they arrive. Working with a 3PL reverse logistics expert can help you find the best prices and services to fit your unique needs and help you maximize your reverse supply chain processes.

5. Establish a working process.

Determining what happens to your returns can make or break your reverse logistics efficiency. Recycling goods with life left in them or refurbishing goods with a low profit margin can leave you with unnecessary losses. Work with a trusted 3PL partner to decide what criteria each return must match to be resold, refurbished or recycled. Then create a process to follow through.

6. Determine next steps based on product usability.

Once you've decided which returned product goes where, you'll need to create a process to determine how goods are resold, refurbished or recycled. Consider your unique needs and limitations. There is no one-size-fits-all process, so be sure to work with an industry professional to ensure that you're making the most of your own capabilities.

7. Implement the steps to complete a successful returns process.

Now that you've created a solid returns strategy, it's time to put your optimized reverse logistics process into action. Remember that optimization is not a one-time occurrence. Continue collecting data and revamping your process to fit your needs as you scale and grow. A 3PL can also help implement the reverse logistics strategy to ensure all steps are working properly

Get Best-in-Class Supply Chain Optimization from GlobalTranz

Having an effective reverse logistics process in place can help companies become more efficient and profitable, especially during times of growth. Reverse logistics management, however, involves much nuance and industry know-how that companies may not have the time or resources to do well. That's where we come in. At GlobalTranz, we have the insights and expertise you need to identify areas for improvement and maximize efficiencies in your supply chain from start to finish. Reach out today to talk to an expert and see how GlobalTranz can transform your reverse supply chain.

¹Dopson, Elise, "Ecommerce Returns: Expert Guide to Best Practices (2024)." September 6, 2023. Shopify.

The post 7 Steps To Implement an Effective Reverse Logistics Process with a 3PL appeared first on GlobalTranz.

Why To Utilize White Glove Shipping Service To Enhance Your Company’s Brand

Annie Graupner — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 06:00:50 +0000

In a competitive marketplace, where customers have infinite choices, it's important to stand out from the crowd and offer every solution that helps deliver products on time and in one piece while building customer loyalty and brand awareness. One such solution is white glove shipping service, which includes value-add "extras" that give special attention and treatment to valuable and sensitive shipments.

What is white glove delivery service exactly?

White glove service goes beyond collecting your products and dropping them off at their destination. It includes the shipper and carrier making the extra effort to ensure your products arrive with elevated care. For example, depending on your location or on-hand peoplepower, you may need extra help packing, boxing or crating your items, or getting them padded and wrapped for pickup. These would all be examples of white glove shipping service.

Additionally, when your item reaches its final destination, you can select white glove shipping services to have your items unpacked and the packaging hauled away. You can even ask the carrier to provide assembly, setup and other services.

Just remember that each extra touch equals extra cost. So, make sure you understand your exact pickup and delivery needs before booking your shipment and white glove delivery service.

Is white glove shipping service just a fad?

Not hardly. According to Verified Market Research, "Modern customers are increasingly purchasing expensive products such as furniture, jewelry, major household appliances, and other items online, paving the path for white glove services or white glove delivery to prosper."

Statistically speaking, the same research also indicates that white glove shipping services will grow in demand by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.28% through 2030. That simply means your customers will increasingly demand customizable freight shipping, and to stay profitable you must provide it.

Types of Businesses That Use White Glove Shipping

Every company may need white glove shipping service now and then. However, the following shipper-types require these services more than others:

Furniture and high-end electronics
Art galleries
Antique stores
Medical suppliers
E-commerce businesses
Vehicle dealerships
Luxury goods suppliers
Exercise equipment distributors

When in doubt whether you need white glove delivery service, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider can help you determine when they are necessary.

Where can you find white glove freight shipping providers?

There are many companies that say they offer white glove freight shipping solutions. However, shippers like you should look for the following providers when analyzing your options:

3PL companies

These shipping partners will often provide a full suite of freight shipping options including white glove shipping to ensure the most elevated care for your products. And when white glove isn't necessary, they can provide less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), international and other specialty freight services.

Specialized carriers

As the name implies, these carriers specialize in a certain type of shipping including oversized products, temperature-sensitive shipments, hazmat materials and other white glove solutions. Ask these carriers if they have the options you need before doing business with them.

Moving companies

These types of companies generally stick to moving items from house to house or business to business. They are very common but do offer services to ensure high-value or fragile items are moved with additional care.

Company-owned fleets

Company-owned trucks are often utilized to move products for the businesses that own them. If your business owns trucks, then you can certainly implement white glove solutions to ensure internal shipping provides elevated care for products.

How White Glove Shipping Service Can Improve a Company's Brand

There are peripheral advantages of white glove delivery service that many shippers may not think about. Some advantages include:

Customers will remember you for your personalized experiences and seek out your business in the future.
Customers will correlate their interaction with you as a feel-good experience since you delivered their most prized shipments with care.
Word of mouth marketing gets around and your company will be at the forefront of the conversation when it comes to specialized services.
You will become differentiated from other companies that only offer standard freight shipping with no specialized service.
You will become more profitable by offering services with greater margins that are important to those customers that need and expect specialized shipping.

In the end, providing white glove shipping service will provide short-term and long-term benefits as you scale your business.

Why White Glove Delivery Service Helps Build Customer Loyalty

As mentioned, white glove shipping can create long-term relationships with your customers if you provide the care and quality of shipping they require. In particular, you can provide the following outcomes for optimal returns:

Ultimate unboxing experience. Just imagine how they will feel when their important and/or fragile shipments are delivered as expected.
Attention to detail, tailored to specific needs. If you offer services that other shippers don't, then customers will remember you moving forward.
Convenient assembly and dismantle option. For those customers with limited resources, providing help with assembly and dismantling will make you a business of choice.
Expertly trained carriers. Working with the best carriers in the business will make your customers more confident in your services, which means repeat business.
Personalized attention and customer service. Your customers will feel special that you went the extra mile to deliver their valuable products.

Need white glove shipping service? Contact GlobalTranz

GlobalTranz is a leading third-party logistics (3PL) company that provides top freight solutions to thousands of shippers across the nation. Now, as part of WWEX Group alongside Worldwide Express and Unishippers, we back shippers through prosperous and turbulent times with our combined resources, financial stability and full suite of services — including white glove solutions.

Want to learn how GlobalTranz can help you elevate your business by providing industry-leading white glove shipping service? Connect with an expert today!

The post Why To Utilize White Glove Shipping Service To Enhance Your Company’s Brand appeared first on GlobalTranz.

TMS Technology FAQ: What To Look for in a Transportation Management System

James Greenlaw — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 17:58:47 +0000

In the shipping world, transportation management systems (TMS) are ubiquitous. In fact, over the past decade, they have become an essential tool for companies looking for fast and efficient ways to manage their shipping and cut costs. Many shippers who utilize a TMS in shipping may wonder, however, if they're getting the most out of their technology and if there are new options on the market that can provide even greater shipping capabilities.

In this FAQ, we answer questions about the newest developments in TMS technology and explain how these features and capabilities can benefit shippers. We also analyze how to find a 3PL with the right level of technology so you can make informed decisions on how to protect your bottom line.

Why does my business need a transport management system that includes all the latest technology?

Innovative TMS technology uses historical data, artificial intelligence, machine learning and current trends to forecast shipping needs and accurately predict shipment time of arrival. It can also:

Collect and share data from thousands of carriers
Automate freight shipping processes
Manage inbound and outbound freight
Provide real-time shipment tracking and monitoring
Identify optimal routes to keep shipments on time

Not every TMS in shipping provides this level of data — which simply means you need to determine how important this information is to your business model. Just remember, an intuitive TMS — along with a leading 3PL — is a shipper's best friend and can help you utilize all this data in meaningful way to drive a competitive advantage for your business.

What technological changes have been made to TMS technology that will improve our supply chain and help us make better decisions?

A TMS is a shipper's hub of transportation activity and source of vital information that helps streamline operations. In fact, over the past couple of years, companies have begun to use advanced levels of shipping data to help them work smarter. Here are three functions you should be utilizing:

Data, artificial intelligence and machine learning — Makes supply chains more efficient and cost effective while enabling business intelligence for improved decision-making. This will also help with digitization and automation which make your operations more organized, accurate and efficient.
Predictive analytics —Uses historical data and current trends to learn the type of mode to use; whether using multiple modes would have better outcomes; how fast shipments can be delivered before it's no longer cost-effective; what route to take to avoid risks for time- or temperature-sensitive shipments and more.
Real-time tracking and tracing — Lets you plan inbound and outbound activities and enhance customer relationships by reassuring on-time pickup and delivery. These technologies also help you bypass carrier capacity issues by granting easier access to more carriers so you can compare prices and services.

What should I look for in an effective transportation management system?

A sophisticated TMS in shipping will help drive supply chain capabilities and improve operational efficiencies. Look for a TMS with the following:

Carrier contact management and performance visibility
Digital documentation and storage
Web portal dashboard capabilities
Data analytics and customized reporting
Invoice and audit management
Automated processes for billing, invoicing and booking shipments
Real-time tracking and tracing
Platform integration
Inbound and outbound transportation management
Artificial intelligence and machine-learning capabilities
Blockchain applications

How can artificial intelligence and machine-learning help my business?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning use historic and real-time data in the TMS to develop algorithms, predict events and identify issues in the supply chain. Shippers gain deep insights and use the information for smarter decision-making.

What's the advantage of cloud-based TMS technology?

Being connected to external systems through the cloud gives you access to freight shipping carriers, logistics solutions and tracking capabilities from any device with internet access. It activates transparency throughout your supply chain so you can streamline the flow of products and anticipate the arrival of inbound freight. It also enables real-time communication and collaboration among shippers, carriers, brokers and customers.

How can a TMS in shipping help drive down costs and bring value to my business?

TMS technology allows you to:

Compare costs among carriers who handle your type of freight shipping
See what other carriers charge shippers for the same freight lane
Find carriers with openings due to a cancellation when capacity is scarce or when you need an immediate turnaround for an unexpected shipment
Leverage route optimization to learn the best routes based on weather, road closures and traffic and to save on time and travel costs
Utilize real-time tracking for visibility into inbound and outbound movements so you can better manage dock activities and schedule employees with better precision

Want more information? Learn about 13 KPIs to Track With a Transportation Management System.

GlobalTranz Can Help You Leverage TMS Technology for Better Shipping Outcomes

For more than 30 years, GlobalTranz has been a leading full-service, technology-driven, third-party logistics solutions provider that helps businesses transform the way they manage their shipping. Our TMS empowers shippers to maximize productivity and streamline operations in one easy-to-use shipping platform. Our cloud-based interface allows shippers to rate and shop carriers across multiple modes, optimize routing, create shipping documents, track and tender, and manage the shipment lifecycle from creation through delivery.

We also provide companies of all sizes with transportation solutions including less-than-truckload and full truckload shipping, plus warehousing, management transportation, and supply chain optimization services.

Are you ready to learn more about GlobalTranz and our sophisticated transport management system and shipping industry expertise? Reach out for a free consultation today!

The post TMS Technology FAQ: What To Look for in a Transportation Management System appeared first on GlobalTranz.

Logistics Archives - GlobalTranz

Smart Strategies for Budgeting Freight Fuel Surcharges

What is a fuel surcharge for freight shipping and why does it change?

How do I find out how my carrier calculates their surcharge for fuel?

Why do diesel fuel prices change so much?

Can reviewing past shipping invoices help me predict fuel surcharges?

What if I don't have the time or tools to audit fuel surcharges?

How can I minimize freight fuel surcharges?

1. Consolidate shipments

2. Choose efficient routes

3. Audit regularly

4. Negotiate smarter

5. Use a 3PL

Why should I work with GlobalTranz?

Partner with GlobalTranz To Offset Unpredictable Fuel Surcharges

How a 3PL Can Strengthen Your Supply Chain Resilience

Understanding the Challenges: Why Shippers Are Vulnerable

Key pain points for many shippers:

Freight Modes: Each Comes with Strengths, Challenges

LTL and truckload freight

Ocean freight

Air freight

Rail freight

How a 3PL Boosts Supply Chain Resilience

Regulatory navigation

Mode and route optimization

Freight carrier network and negotiated rates

Transparent cost management

Real-time risk monitoring

Advanced technology and data

Partner with GlobalTranz for a More Resilient Supply Chain

With GlobalTranz, you get:

Ready to strengthen your supply chain resilience?

9 Tips To Offset the Impact of Tariffs and How a 3PL Provider Can Help

1. Create Short-Term and Long-Term Shipping Strategies

2. Understand Customs Clearance

3. Optimize Shipping Routes

4. Stay Informed On Changes in Import Tariffs

5. Negotiate Carrier Rates

6. Leverage Dedicated Support

7. Invest In Logistics Technology

8. Create Scalable Shipping Solutions

9. Optimize Inbound and Outbound Logistics Efficiency

Need help managing the impact of tariffs? GlobalTranz can help.

5 Things To Consider When Choosing a 3PL for Blind Shipping

What is blind shipping? And why does it matter to businesses?

What To Look for In a Blind Shipping 3PL Provider

1. Experience and reputation

2. A range of shipping solutions

3. Scalability as your business considers blind shipping

4. Intuitive shipping technology

5. Exceptional customer support

How a 3PL Can Set Up Payment, Invoicing and Customer Support Systems for Blind Shipping

1. Payment processing

2. Invoicing

3. Real-time assistance

Added bonus! More ways a 3PL can streamline your logistics with blind shipping.

A 3PL can implement blind shipping to improve shipping times and delivery

A 3PL can help your sustainability efforts with blind shipping

Take your shipping strategy to the next level with blind shipping. GlobalTranz can help!

Blind Shipping: Solution for Inventory & Labor Challenges

1. Adapt To Fluctuating Inventory and Supply Chain Demand

2. Grow Without the Need for More Warehousing

3. Overcome Logistics Staffing Challenges

Blind Shipping + 3PL Provider Support = A Winning Combination

GlobalTranz Can Help You Leverage Blind Shipping To Tackle Inventory Management

7 Advanced Strategies for LTL Freight Optimization

1. Diversify Carrier Network for Freight Optimization

2. Gain Control of Your Inbound LTL Shipping

3. Consolidate Freight Shipping and Save Money

4. Be a Valued Partner to LTL Freight Carriers

5. Avoid LTL Freight Rejection

6. Uncover More Insights With an LTL Freight Services Audit

7. Seek Help for LTL Optimization

Explore the Benefits LTL Freight Shipping Optimization With GlobalTranz

FTL Freight Shipping: 8 Questions Answered

1. What is the difference between LTL and FTL shipping?

2. How are rates calculated for LTL vs FTL freight shipping?

3. Is FTL cost-effective?

4. Are there size or weight limits for FTL freight shipping?

1. Diversify Carrier Network for Freight Optimization

3. Consolidate Freight Shipping and Save Money