Successful shipping and transportation provide a cornerstone for your business's reliability. When you choose the best shipping method, your customers can receive their items on time and you can retain your reputation. And for many companies, less than truckload (LTL) transportation is the best method.
The LTL market is estimated at $35 billion, allowing companies to use a portion of a truck to get their goods to a destination. With reach like this, LTL shipping services can be a great option for your company -- but only if you follow some best practices. The following are some methods to get the most out of LTL.
Order LTL shipping when necessary.
LTL freight services are a great way to send out shipments efficiently without waiting for a full truckload's worth of goods. But it's important to only use the service when you can benefit from it. Be sure to consider all types of shipping, specifically if you have some sort of specialty freight. By doing so, you can know that you are using LTL shipping for your benefit.
Hire a transportation company.
To ensure that you select LTL for the right reasons and are able to execute it fully, it's essential to work with a transportation management company. These professionals can assess your LTL needs and help you with the logistics. They will keep you informed of all details so you can keep your business operating as efficiently as possible.
Communicate with your customers.
As with any type of shipping, it's important to keep your customers updated at all times when using LTL. This is especially important when something does not go as planned, such as inclement weather slowing down your shipment.
Know when to use Full Truckload (FTL).
Talk to your transportation company about whether LTL or FTL is best for your specific shipment. To optimize time and cost, you might consider implementing a combination of both. And as your company evolves, so may your choices.
By opting for LTL, you are making an environmentally conscious choice and cutting down on costs. This shows a commitment to efficiency, so ensure that you follow LTL best practices and work closely with your shipping manager.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
