Loadsmart’s Post

Need to deliver faster? We’ve got you covered. Introducing Expedited Shipping as a Mode in ShipperGuide TMS! Now, shippers can: ✅ Select dedicated expedited equipment (box trucks, sprinters, etc.) when building a shipment 📊 Access accurate expedited shipment data for better reporting and insights ↔️ Separate expedited and full truckload data for stronger market benchmarking Speed up your time-sensitive shipments with expedited shipping in ShipperGuide TMS!

Sometimes we get orders from customers as soon as they secure a load. The shipper is still making the product and the container has not been pulled to start being loaded yet. ETA 60+ days away. We get orders from customers as soon as they containers are loaded on a ship. We get orders from customers as soon as the containers are loaded onto a train, ready to head in country. We also get orders from customers as soon as the trains arrive/ container has a posted LFD/ containers are on storage. We see eta's that are spot on (rarely) all the way to eta's that are 60 days off and anything in between. We have customers that have done intermodal for a while and get it, and have contracts with their customers that incorporate every possible thing that can happen along the way: weather, capacity, chassis shortage, per diem, etc. Then we have relatively newer customers that are just learning intermodal and have not seen everything that can happen. You can always tell them apart. The ones that has been there, done that, when we let them know about capacity or chassis shortage, they just say to keep them posted and they get it. The others expect containers to be pulled, delivered, and returned the same day, even for drop and hook accounts as that is how they bid the lanes to their customers.

From rising interest rates to industry hacks there have been a number of challenges impacting the auto industry these past few months. Connect with the ACERTUS team to learn how our comprehensive logistics services and easy-to-use TMS can help you navigate these headwinds and end the year strong: https://bit.ly/3TuRbQf

Tired of waiting for quotes? 🕚 Get instant shipping rates, book your LTL shipments effortlessly, and receive detailed tracking updates. Say goodbye to logistics headaches and hello to streamlined shipping. 🚛 #InstantQuotes #LTLShipping #EffortlessBooking #DetailedTracking #StreamlinedShipping #LogisticsSolutions

I visited a customer last week and was very impressed with how they were managing their LTL. A couple of things stood out. 1) They work with a very small and select set of carriers. This allows them to concentrate their business to provide economies of scale to their providers, and have stuck with their carrier mix for many years. This leads to... 2) They have great conversations with their carriers on steps to take to mutually drive out costs and reap the benefits. This covers things like Electronic Bills of Lading and providing super-accurate weights and dimensions at the handling unit level on every shipment. This leads to... 3) They use 1/2 pallets for their small orders. Yes, take a standard 40x48 pallet, cut it in half, and you have two 40x24 pallets that take up the same space as a single. It allows this shipper to build denser pallets on their smaller orders. And the carrier gets to move two shipments in the space of one standard pallet. This means they get more shipments on a trailer, and better space utilization. Nice to see great dialogue and great ideas like this.

In logistics, reliability is important, even more important is what happens when something goes wrong. Every customer gets a phone call if a delivery is going to be late, and our customer service response time last month was 6 minutes. Get a logistics partner that doesn't ghost you when the chips are down. ✉ sales@ssologistics.co.uk

If you're dealing with challenges like complex rules and extra fees with LTL shipping, it might be time to consider making the switch to FTL freight! In our blog, we break down the key differences between LTL and FTL, and why transitioning could be a smart move for your bottom line. Click the link to learn more. https://bit.ly/4fgJTbP

Are your operating hours causing missed LTL pickups? 🤔 Here’s something I see all too often in the LTL world: shippers closing their docks by 2 or 3 PM, expecting consistent pickup service. But here’s the kicker—most LTL carriers handle deliveries during the day and can’t start their pickup routes until late afternoon (think 3 PM to 5 PM, sometimes even later). What does this mean for you? If your docks are closing early, you’re missing out on valuable pickup opportunities. Staying open later—until 4 or 5 PM—can significantly improve your pickup success rate. More pickup windows mean fewer delays and more consistent shipping. I’ve seen firsthand how small operational tweaks, like extending hours, lead to fewer missed pickups and smoother logistics overall. Want fewer missed pickups? Keep those docks open later. It’s a simple change that can save you a lot of hassle (and money). 📦 Have you adjusted your operating hours to align with carrier pickup times? Share your experience below! 👇

The transportation industry’s busiest season is coming up, and now is the perfect time to plan your strategy for maximizing productivity. Follow these tips for a stress-free and profitable season: OPT-IN TO ELECTRONIC TRACKING: Providing automated location updates will make you more appealing to shippers who now view freight tracking as a requirement. STAY ON TIME: Punctuality always matters, but during peak months, when freight volumes increase and schedules are tight, it’s more important than ever. COMMUNICATION IS KEY: When it comes to load deliveries, no one likes surprises. And while you can’t control the weather or other potential slowdowns, it’s important to provide updates as often as possible. #SupplyChain #TruckingTips

Think one carrier has you covered? Here's why putting all your parcels in one basket might not be the best move! Relying too heavily on major carriers like FedEx and UPS can lead to inflated costs and restricted flexibility in your shipping options. It's frustrating when you're hit with unexpected fees or volume caps, limiting your ability to respond to customer demands and manage your budget effectively. So, broaden your horizons beyond the big names. A diverse set of carriers can reduce dependency and introduce cost efficiencies. Tools like automated dimensioners can help accurately assess shipping costs, aiding in choosing the most economical options. Check out our carousel to dive deeper.