January 2, 2018 / By Erika / Logistic • Shipping • Transport • Trucking / 0 Comments

Nowadays being an efficient shipper has received a ton of buzz, simply because of how much of a difference it can make in the costs of running a business.

But did you know, even with all the new mandates, price compression, and industry changes, you could still help manage your shipping expenses by paying attention to overlooked ways to improving shipping efficiencies? Some freight budgets are being revised around the New Year, because it turns out many businesses are seeing losses of 8-10% due to inefficient shipping practices.

Three of the major areas impacting shipping inefficiencies are:

• ELD Enforcement
  Understanding the ELD implementation can be critical to improving efficiencies in your business. We know that as we move past the April 1^st deadline for ELD implementation, the already tight capacity landscape will be affected even more as some carriers will drop out of service. Being proactive with our network of carriers by confirming available hours of service and ELD compliance helps us to be prepared in meeting our customer’s desired timelines and in making sure all parties involved are on the same page.
• Small Changes
  Benefiting from small changes such as proper packaging and maximizing the pallet placement in trucks can have a positive effect on your freight savings and can also limit damage claims. Using standard size pallets (when the product allows) that are in sound condition and properly securing the items to the skid can minimize the number or trucks, and avoid potential damage and/or mishandling. Both the pallet preparation phase and the truck loading phase, can present cost-saving opportunities.
• Inefficient Processes
  Direct impacts from inefficiencies in your processes are going to be felt with higher rate increases in 2018. For example, labor intensive requests on the pickup or delivery end are going to result in even higher rates as these additional services are going to be factored into the quotes. Also, with the additional hours of service constraints resulting from the ELD mandate, prompt loading and unloading procedures will be as important as ever in limiting freight costs and securing capacity.

Don’t get left behind in 2018. Get control of your shipping costs now, and inform yourself on how to take the most advantage to help yourself and your business. Have a happy and healthy New Year!

You can also check out our article on Best Practices for Shipping and Receiving

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