Are you ready to develop a less than truckload (LTL) transportation plan? LTL shipping doesn’t have to be time-consuming or stressful. Whether you plan to ship LTL freight regularly, or if you’ll only ship a few packages a month, you will benefit from these 5 tips which explain how to avoid unnecessary costs, determine price and optimize efficiency.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. Because these super-storms wreak havoc to the nation’s infrastructure, shippers should prepare for weather-related disruptions. Past hurricanes have opened shipper’s eyes, as disruptions in delivery, tracking and safety have caused significant problems.

Transportation Secretary, Andrew Foxx, told a congressional subcommittee that a proposed rule requiring heavy vehicle speed limiters will be issued no later than this fall. Supporters of the speed limiter rule believe highways will be safer and fuel consumption will be reduced.

shipping mistakesUnanticipated costs and unexpected delays are can negatively impact your supply chain, but there are ways to increase its efficiency. Some of the most common shipping mistakes include not knowing which transport mode to choose, being unclear about government rules, and not understanding different price structures. Avoid these common shipping errors to get your freight to its final destination on time, with fewer expenses.

ShortTerm On April 30th, it was reported that yet another short-term fix to infrastructure will be implemented sometime in May. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is creating a short-term bill worth between $8 – 10 billion, which is expected to last through the end of the year. Ryan is working with Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

ltl-rates-on-the-rise The less-than-truckload (LTL) sector has seen little growth or profit in the last decade. But now, LTL carriers anticipate one of its most profitable years since 2004.

Supply chain disruptions are unpredictable, and often inescapable, but they don’t have to destroy business operations. When supply chain disruptions occur, delays are unknown and there is a loss in time, money and labor.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a smartphone app that provides safety data on interstate commercial vehicles. The Compliance, Safety, Accountability program app requires no login and reveals carrier safety performance and ratings to the public. This information is available on FMCSA’s website as well.

Omni_Channel__GraphicRetailers are struggling to keep pace in the highly competitive omnichannel environment. Consumer desires for immediate delivery and personalized service are an ongoing challenge. Many shippers aren’t able to support a productive, efficient supply chain.

benefits of inbound freight managementWhat is inbound freight management? Inbound freight management refers to monitoring and managing inbound shipments that come from suppliers or vendors. Transportation accounts for almost 50% of the average company’s logistics costs. Shippers can gain more control of these costs when they choose to make inbound freight management a supply chain priority. With inbound vendor management, attention is focused on shipment integrity, customer satisfaction and tracking information. Choosing to manage inbound freight gives shippers a chance to improve reliability, gain visibility and reduce costs.

The top transportation news from April.

The truckload driver shortage is becoming a serious financial concern for shippers. To attract new drivers, many carriers are improving training, retention and compensation packages. However, they continue to struggle to find the number of drivers necessary to keep up with demand. The driver shortage has a significant impact on the tight over the road capacity that is causing issues for shippers who now have to pay a higher rate to move their freight.

What is the meaning and value of reverse logistics within the supply chain? Many people think of reverse logistics as handling customer returns and defective goods; that it is limited to customer service and recycling. However, only 25% of all goods in reverse logistics consist of defective items. It includes managing recalled products, overstocks, fixtures, recyclables, capital assets, end-of-life goods, and assets to be disposed.