The Logistical Lowdown

While the truckload spot market is still showing record high spikes, things seem to be winding down a little, at least for right now. This brief calm could not have come at a better time for those trying to recover from the last few months' volatile price hikes. Given that this trend could lead to huge increases in next year’s contract truckload rates, shippers should start preparing their budgets now. 

Location carries a lot of weight when it comes to considering your warehousing and fulfillment center options. It’s all about finding a balance between having your distribution centers close enough to your customers and not too far apart that your inventory costs skyrocket. Whether you’re just starting to outsource your storage and shipping or looking to expand, it can be difficult to settle on a location that’s the ideal fit for your business.

With everything the logistics industry has been through in the past year, many of us are left wondering — what’s next? The current disruption from technology and other changes that are sweeping the transportation sector, however, marks only the beginning of what’s to come. And, despite its destructive impact, COVID-19 merely sped up the process by forcing companies to adapt at a much quicker rate than anyone was previously expecting.

While it’s been established how aiming to be a Shipper of Choice has its fair share of benefits, it’s quickly become a relevant topic for many in the industry again. With such tight trucking market conditions and capacity issues continuing to surface, obtaining this sought-after shipping status has reappeared as the solution to securing carrier interest.

As logistics professionals, we all know that a low rate is nothing without good service to match. A late delivery on an important shipment, or any other type of supply chain service failure, can cost far more than what the carrier or a fulfillment center’s being paid. And when problems do occur, the provider who made the mistake is still usually getting their money with no penalty for the extra cost or wasted time that their performance failure caused.

Part 3 of a 3 part series of posts inspired by the 31st Annual State of Logistics Report

There’s a lot of data out there showing how improving efficiency can help shippers and logistics companies increase their profit margins and ultimately reach new heights of success. With the right technology, businesses can track shipments as they move through each step of the transportation process.

Recently the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) released their 31st Annual State of Logistics Report. This thorough industry analysis featured 63 pages of detailed information that dove into the logistics of 2019 and 2020 and offered valuable insight framing the industry’s future. As the group explored the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and examined the pros and cons of various leading players’ responses, it painted an image of tried-and-true resiliency.

Part 1 of a 3 part series of posts inspired by the 31st Annual State of Logistics Report

Despite the many disruptions introduced into shippers’ supply chains by the COVID-19 crisis, new research shows positive signs for the warehousing sector. Due to factors like an all-time low vacancy rate, the pre-coronavirus market could handle the short-term impacts of the pandemic.

When you’re up against a global pandemic, new industry regulations, and rising consumer expectations for more sustainability, every step you take toward optimizing your transportation processes makes a difference. It may be cliché to say it, but it is an unprecedented time for the logistics industry.

Companies are finding it more challenging to manage their logistics functions on their own, especially with all of the changes going on within the industry. From new government regulations to the current economic uncertainty, the challenges that all shipping operations are dealing with have made it necessary for companies to at least consider outsourcing some of their transportation services to a managed transportation partner or 3PL.