In April, less than truckload (LTL) freight carriers announced 4-6% general rate increases for non-contract shipments. General rate increases are typically announced anywhere from late May to early July. The April announcement came much earlier than usual. What does this mean to shippers and why did this occur? GRI, or general rate increase, is the average amount by which carriers’ tariff rates increase applied to base rates. It is extremely difficult for an individual shipper to calculate how this rate increase will impact their bottom line. The percentage increase will vary based on shipping region, weight breaks, zip codes and freight classes. Working with a logistics broker can help shippers understand the rate increase and even help keep their costs down.

Many companies today are working in an environment of fierce competition and razor-sharp profit margins, and trying to achieve LTL freight savings.

Over the years since federal deregulation in the late 1970s, LTL transportation has morphed from a heavily unionized group of carriers operating in a largely non- competitive environment into today’s high tech, cost-effective and service-oriented transportation industry. Today’s national, regional, and inter-modal providers must vie for their share of a 30 billion dollar market.

The two weeks of summer that everyone has been waiting for are finally here – The Olympic Games. Taking place in London, England this year, the Olympics is one of the most watched sporting events on the planet. With this much national attention, a copious amount of detail and planning must go into the preparation of the Games. This entails a huge logistical challenge in how to overcome the mass transportation of products, athletes, workers and attendees to the London Olympics. We have provided you with some Summer Olympics logistical

Suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and customers all make up a supply chain network. When optimizing your supply chain network, customer demand must be satisfied while keeping logistics costs steady and under control. According to Optimum Profit Consulting, “Strategic Network Optimization calculates the most optimal (highest profit or lowest cost) way to source supplies, production, and distribution across the network.”

Transportation requirements in the oil & gas industry can be unique and complex, such as stringing services for line pipe delivery. Higher safety standards and the need for specialized equipment limit the base of qualified carriers, making it harder for suppliers to quickly and economically manage freight to project sites.