When you run a business, you know that every dollar counts. Every business needs to be aware of how to avoid wasting money without impacting production. Logistics can be tough but there are many easy ways to save money and still get the service you and your customers need. We are here to point you in the right direction.
1. Freight Classification
When shipping less than truckload, it is important that you determine the correct freight class for the item you are shipping. Your freight class plays a major role in the cost of your shipment. There are 18 different freight classes, ranging from 50 to 500. These are established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). Freight class is determined by several factors such as density, ability to be stored, ease of handling and liability. Generally, the higher the freight class, the more it will cost to ship.
Our logistics staff are highly skilled in finding the perfect freight class for the items that you are shipping. Taking the time to classify your freight correctly will help you get through the current capacity crunch and maintain great carrier relationships.
2. Improper Packaging
The packaging is going to be determined by the shape and size of the item you are shipping. The way freight is packaged can make all the difference. It can change the shipping price, how it’s handled during transit, and even where it gets placed on a freight truck. Packaging your freight is an extremely important step and not one on which you should cut corners. A variety of packaging options are available and certain packaging options are best suited to the commodity you’re shipping. Once your shipment is packaged, you will want to take a photo before the pickup to document the items condition.
If you are unsure of how the item should be packaged, you can always turn to us. You can send us a photo or give us a call and we will walk you through the process of how you should properly package your freight.
3. Not using a 3PL
Jameson Logistics’ customer portal allows businesses to quickly narrow their search and find their ideal price and delivery time. All it takes is a few clicks of a button! Customers with special shipping requirements no longer need to make calls to find a carrier who can handle it. Our customer portal includes selections such as Inside Delivery, Inside Pickup, Hazardous Materials, Residential Delivery and much more. When you use our customer portal you can even save your addresses, freight classes and dimensions of frequently shipped items right in your profile. It can’t get much more convenient than that!
If you have any questions or would like to streamline your logistics management give us a call at 800-741-5043. You can also send us an email to info@jamesonlogistics.com. For more information on the services we provide you may check out the other articles on our blog. We look forward to hearing from you.