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logistics Tag

27 Aug

Posted at 15:36h in Trucking by

Did you know that there are over 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the United States? These highly skilled truck drivers:

 

  • Deliver 10 billion tons of freight each year
  • Deliver to the 80% of our nation’s small cities, towns and villages
  • Have a crash rate that is 29% lower than the average driver

 

Don’t worry, you can show your gratitude to professional truck drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. This is the perfect time of year to pay tribute to these hard working truck drivers for the important work they do to make our lives more comfortable and more convenient. Here are a few simple ways to thank our valued road warriors:

  • Prize Giveaways
  • Free Lunch
  • Thank You Card
  • Drivers Night Out
  • Give A Radio Shout Out
  • Post On Social Media
  • Give A Gift

 

Giving a gift your drivers will actually use allows you to show your appreciation while adding a personal touch. Here are some great gift ideas:

  • Electric Blanket
  • Wireless Bluetooth Headset
  • Pressure Relieving Cushion
  • Audio Books
  • XM Satellite Radio

 

Truck drivers work hard and commit their lives to one of the toughest jobs in America. So, this National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, be sure to thank him or her for the remarkable work they do, every day.

 

 

Reach out to us to experience our boutique approach to streamlining logistics through an extensive network of resources, trained brokerage experts and unique personal service.

 

>REQUEST A QUOTE<

March 8, 2019 / By / Logistic • Shipping • Transport • Trucking /

Learn about key trends impacting 2019 and 2020

Register for Westgate’s June 4th webinar

 

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from the Chief Economist for Truckstop.com and Principal of Transport Futures on the state of logistics. This will be a powerful webinar for you to quickly get up to speed on trends affecting freight and logistics and gain insight on how the rest of 2019 and 2020 will shape up. Westgate Global Logistics is hosting this webinar at no cost to help participants get the critical industry data, insights, and outlook they need.

Noël Perry, has been provoking the transportation market for more than forty years. He is one of the most insightful and knowledgeable leaders regarding freight and the broader economy. As a respected analyst and futurist, Noël is known for questioning, researching, and always providing statistics and analysis to back up his findings.

 

Please join us on June 4th, 11am ET for a LIVE Webinar hosted by Westgate.

>> REGISTER to save your spot

 

About Westgate: Westgate has 35 years of consistently delivering expertise in handling specialty loads, maintaining a large network of resources, and exceptional personal service. Reach out to us and allow one of our Certified Transportation Brokers to experience our boutique approach to streamlining logistics through an extensive network of resources, trained brokerage experts and unique personal service.

Questions for Noel?

Submit your questions to Westgate and we will pass them on to Noel to address during the session.

February 15, 2019 / By / Logistic • Transport • Trucking /

Today, 40 young professionals from the Greater Lehigh Valley were named as Lehigh Valley Business Forty Under 40 honorees for 2019.

2019’s honorees were selected based on their contributions to their companies, industries, and communities. These individuals will be recognized at the seventh annual Forty Under 40 awards reception and ceremony in April.

We’re elated that our own president, Mark Fiorini has been chosen to receive this award. Like each of the honorees, Mark was selected for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community.

Congratulations Mark!

And thank you for all that you do for this company and the industry at large!

 

For more information and to obtain tickets for the event, click here.

To see the full list of 2019 Forty Under 40 honorees, click here.

November 15, 2018 / By / Logistic • Shipping • Transport • Trucking /

See statistics on the state of transportation and what to prepare for in 2019.

We took a look at the highlights of 2018 that we think impacted the logistics industry. Reviewing the hot topics in our industry can help us all be better prepared for what is to come in 2019 and get ahead of freight trends.

CAPACITY AND DRIVER SHORTAGE

2018 Recap: The economic growth in 2018 has added to the capacity issues our industry is already facing. Coupled with the driver shortage, capacity issues are on everyone’s mind. However, innovative brokers who have experience are able to navigate this landscape and deliver. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the gross domestic product rate increased at an annual rate of 4.2% in the second quarter of 2018, and at a rate of 2.2% in the first quarter.[1]The driver shortage has caused driver pay and packages to increase in response to the demand. According to the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) latest Driver Compensation study, the median salary for a truckload driver working a national, irregular route was more than $53,000—a $7,000 increase (15 percent) from ATA’s last survey in 2013. Private fleet drivers saw an 18% pay rise to more than $86,000 from $73,000. [2]
2019 Forecast: The 2019 forecast is for us to see slower growth. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the 2019 pace of GDP growth will slow to 2.4 percent in as growth in business investment and government purchases slows. The CBO also warns that trade tensions could make a bigger dent on GDP growth than anticipated.[3] For 2019 and beyond, the driver shortage will continue to increase (especially considering that the unemployment rate is at a 49-year low of 3.7%.)

THE ELD COMPLIANCE AND HEADACHES

2018 Recap: The ELD deadline caused some carriers to scramble while others were well prepared. At the end of the day, the improved technology can give us all better visibility and data. However, a survey by Cortex revealed 33% of respondents indicated it is more difficult to retain drivers because of the strict Hours of Service compliance. With the American Trucking Association stating there are 50,000 fewer drivers than available jobs, the ELD ‘solution’ could be fueling the flames of the driver shortage.[4]
2019 Forecast: The next step will be how can we turn this data into business efficiencies. In particular, efficiency on the shippers’ part will be key to allowing drivers to use the majority of their allotted time on the road with the wheels turning.  The more time spent driving will allow more loads to be completed on time and allow carriers to better plan their schedules (leading to less cancellations, delays and headaches for shippers.)  Continuing to increase driver pay will be integral to attracting younger folks to the profession.  While an increased driver pay may lead to a short-term increase in trucking rates, it will combat the extreme pricing fluctuations and uncertainty we are experiencing with the exponential growth of the driver shortage. Much of 2018 was spent dealing with supply and demand issues and could continue to get worse. Westgate will continue to monitor this as well as the hours of service issue in Congress.

TECHNOLOGY TAKES FLIGHT

2018 Recap: Logistics companies are now expected to utilize the latest technology in order to keep customers informed on their load status. While many companies tout that they offer the latest technology, not all of them have the attentive team to monitor the data and get the full use out of it. See our article on The Major Roadblock to Technology.
2019 Forecast: Offering technology will not be a distinguishing factor among brokers. How that technology is utilized and access to a support team will be what separates companies. Aggregating data and translating it into business efficiencies will be the next step. While technology continues to take over a large part of our every day lives, communication continues to be as important as it ever was in the freight industry. There are too many variables beyond anyone’s control (Traffic, weather, mechanical issues, etc) to allow technology to replace the service provider entirely.  Where technology benefits us is by providing additional means to source trucks, communicate with carriers and track shipments to be ahead of issues. In addition, it offers efficiencies in back office procedures that allow customer service folks to concentrate solely on servicing clients to the fullest.
At Westgate, we provide monthly ‘On-Time’ reports to several of our customers to highlight our performance levels.  We also are very flexible and have developed custom reports to meet the particular needs of clients in providing them data that is valuable to them.

Reach out to us to experience our boutique approach to streamlining logistics through an extensive network of resources, trained brokerage experts and unique personal service.

GET A QUOTE

 

[1] https://www.bea.gov/news/2018/gross-domestic-product-2nd-quarter-2018-third-estimate-corporate-profits-2nd-quarter-2018
[2] http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/driver-pay-and-benefits-rise/
[3] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-growth/u-s-economy-seen-strong-in-2018-to-slow-in-2019-cbo-idUSKBN1KY23R
[4] http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/fleet-operators-get-no-eld-satisfaction/

October 5, 2018 / By / Logistic • Shipping • Tracking • Uncategorized /

Technology is only as good as the team behind it!

 

The newest, sleekest logistics technology is rendered useless if the company utilizing it doesn’t have an experienced team managing it. The topic of offering shippers tracking and visibility comes up a lot in conversations as well as in industry publications.

Providing insight into load status through modern technology is definitely important. However, the team behind the technology is what makes it a successful tool. They are able to stay on top of your important delivery and address any delays and issues along the way. The technology isn’t going to do that on its own.

Westgate’s Chairman Tom Fiorini commented “Everyone says shippers want more visibility. What they really want is the freight off their dock on time and no issues during transit.” While Westgate utilizes a sophisticated technology to give their shippers the data and updates they need, they also have the focused support team to monitor it along the way.

 

“We want to take that worry away from our customers,” says President Mark Fiorini. “Westgate gives location updates sent via email, a log in to view detailed freight coordinates, the ability to watch your freight’s real-time movement, and estimated arrival time. But the real value comes from the trustworthy team monitoring all of this.”

 

As shippers find themselves regularly dealing with time-sensitive and short-notice shipments, working with a vendor who has tracking, estimated time of delivery becomes vital. The technology is useless though if the shipper doesn’t have time to use it. Since the shipper is short on time, the broker’s ability to monitor and manage the technology is key to a successful process.

Ultimately, technology can save time and improve processes. But the human touch is what makes it a tangible resource.

 

Reach out to us to experience our boutique approach to streamlining logistics through an extensive network of resources, trained brokerage experts and unique personal service.

 

June 5, 2018 / By / Logistic • Shipping • Transport • Trucking /

Do you know if your logistics partner is costing you money? 

Recent statistics indicate that poor service could not only tarnish your company’s reputation, it could potentially cost you future customers as well. New Voice Media recently researched the cost of poor service and found that it costs U.S. businesses a whopping $41 billion annually in lost revenue. Not only will poor service cost you the current customer, research shows that most dissatisfied customers will share their bad experience and many will post a negative review online. Companies need to show consistent, efficient, and friendly service to retain and grow their business. An unreliable logistics provider could damage your reputation and cost you more in the long run by having to fix their mistakes. We outline how to avoid these mistakes and improve your shipping processes.  

Our Guide Includes:

  • Criteria your logistics provider should meet

  • Insight into key areas impacting shipping inefficiencies

  • Best practices for shipping and receiving

 

GET YOUR COPY!

DOWNLOAD THE HIGH COST OF POOR SERVICE TODAY and learn how to stop profits from slipping out the door!

DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Email us with your thoughts!

March 21, 2018 / By / Logistic • Shipping • Transport • Trucking /

Our passion for delivering exceptional logistics services continues to be at our core and is why we have thrived in this constantly-changing industry.

 

Since Westgate was launched in 1983, the company has grown in size and variety of services. Today, Westgate offers a full range of logistics services including truckload, LTL, specialized services, and more. Founder Tom Fiorini’s son, Mark Fiorini, has since taken over the leadership roll as president of the company and continues the company’s legacy as a premier transportation partner.

 

“Being a family-owned business since 1983 has allowed our customers to develop personal connections with our team. The durability of our company and team assures our customers of the high level of expertise they will receive when they partner with Westgate to handle their transportation needs,” said Tom Fiorini, Chairman of Westgate Global Logistics. Our core values – honesty, integrity and trust – have allowed us to develop close relationships not just with our customers, but with a strong network of carriers as well, who we can depend on to meet our customers’ expectations for service.”

 

Though the company has grown in size throughout the years, we still remain smaller than most of our competitors. However, we don’t view this as a disadvantage. Westgate’s small, intimate structure helps us remain flexible. Because of our close-knit group of eight employees, the typical layers of management between the customer and the team are eliminated. We are available directly to provide personalized solutions to our clients’ issues. We treat our customers like family, resulting in close relationships that last for years and years.

 

“Celebrating 35 years of business in a constantly changing industry is an exciting achievement for us,” said Mark Fiorini, President of Westgate Global Logistics. “As we move into the future, my goal is to continue to offer our customers the latest technology, tools and resources while preserving Tom’s legacy of honesty, integrity and trust he built into the foundation of our business.”

 

Westgate’s commitment to growth and providing exceptional solutions for our customers’ transportation needs are what will carry us into many more years of service.

See for yourself why businesses are depending on Westgate to improve their shipping processes and to keep them informed of industry trends. Reach out to us to experience our boutique approach to streamlining logistics through an extensive network of resources, trained brokerage experts and unique personal service.

 

>REQUEST A QUOTE<

 

Take a look at our featured article on page 15 of the Lehigh Valley Business publication.

http://www.lvb.com/article/20180226/SUPPLEMENT/180209878/milestones-2018

 

 

About Us

Westgate has 35 years of consistently delivering expertise in handling specialty loads, maintaining a large network of resources, and exceptional personal service. Reach out to us and allow one of our Certified Transportation Brokers to provide you with a quote.