Creating and sticking to the right truckload shipping strategy can enhance your overall efforts, save money, and increase business profitability. Truckload shipping is the most common way of transporting goods, but not many businesses know how to make the best use out of it.
There are certain things you should pay attention to while planning your truckload shipments. Generally, truckload shipping strategies are created to make your freight more attractive to carriers, reduce costs, decrease risks and claims, and increase overall shipping efficiency.
How to optimize your truckload shipping strategy
1. Segment your freight needs
The key to always having secured capacity is making your freight appealing to carriers. To achieve this, you should consider a few common aspects that impact truckload shipping. Here are a few important freight aspects that may require a different approach:
- Seasonality
- Increase and decrease in demand
- Lead times
- Market volatility
- Regional sensitivity
All of these factors ultimately define your truckload shipping needs. To make the most of your strategy, find these trends in your shipping history and plan shipments with different carriers according to the requirements of freight type specificity.
2. Use a variety of carriers or a 3PL
Once you are done analyzing your freight and its unique requirements, it’s important to find reliable partners to ship with. It is better to have a wide pool of freight carriers, especially if you ship nationwide and require different transportation modes. Additionally, the more carriers you work with, the more choice you have in terms of price, equipment, and service. Working with a reputable 3PL will save you time and resources. Additionally, working with a 3PL will leave you feeling confident about your freight shipment.
3. Diversify your network
Capacity remains a challenge in the transportation marketplace. LTL carriers are productive with data, analytics, and other technology tools, which they use to re-evaluate the mix of freight they will accept to maximize their profit. Carriers are being choosy about the capacity they will accept. Working with a logistics provider can create a strategy where freight lanes match carriers’ priorities. In addition, diversifying your network is important for shippers looking to keep costs down. Finding multiple partners who offer complementary services is one way to reduce costs by spreading out freight volume over several different modes or providers.
4. Create value for carriers
If a carrier doesn’t dwell in a pick-up or drop-off area, his/her revenue will not be sustainable. Shippers with a longer dwell time for carriers are usually of lower priority and should be placed below live loads, with all of the paperwork in order and readily available. Creating a time slot schedule with few travel days may maximize the carrier’s capacity and yield. If that happens, your freight will be prioritized and there will be competitive pricing. Foster strong relationships with your carrier partners: spend some time each week to catch up with them and chat about your business. Additionally, carriers are always on the lookout for good customers; find ways you can add value to them or give them an edge over their competitors.
5. Configure your freight
Be sure to check how you’re packaging and shipping your freight. This will ensure that you’re opting for the best rates, according to the class, cube, and density of your freight. For cost savings and quality control, be sure to choose the most appropriate palette for your shipment. Proper preparation and packing will help avoid damages during transit. As a general rule, if the cargo is irregular in shape, heavy, or can’t be boxed, it’s probably a better idea to choose FTL.
Optimize your truckload shipping strategy with GoShip
GoShip helps you find a dependable logistics partner that’ll keep your supply chain moving and your customers satisfied. Our online freight marketplace connects small to mid-sized business owners with certified freight carriers that offer premium shipping services at budget-friendly prices. With our online quotation tool, you can find the best carrier rates around you and choose the option that suits your shipping needs.