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Are you a business owner or supply chain executive wanting to find the perfect freight solution?
In the competitive business landscape where timely delivery and cost-effective solutions are all the rage, it's understandable especially when logistic costs account for a quarter or nearly half of the total business costs ranging from 25% to 45%. In 2023 alone, US businesses spent 2.3 trillion US dollars, 8.7% of national GDP.
With so many expenses involved, finding the most effective and efficient freight solutions is imperative for your business success.
Fret not, we have got you covered. Read along to get the hang of finding the perfect freight solutions with our actionable tips, especially tailored for businesses:
1. First Up, Assess Your Needs
Buying a dress without knowing your size is futile, right? In the same way, finding freight solutions without knowing your business needs is no good. The first crucial step is thus to assess your business needs to choose the right solution. You can begin by considering these factors and finding answers to these questions:
Type of Your Goods: Are the goods you want to get delivered perishable, hazardous, or fragile?
Volume and Frequency: How much will you be shipping on average and how often?
Logistic Scope: Does your business require shipping domestically or internationally too?
Special Needs: Will your goods require special handling or need temperature-controlled fleet vehicles and environments?
By clearly considering these aspects, you can go ahead with choosing freight solutions that best match your business’s specific needs.
2. Evaluate Different Freight Modes and Options
After you are done assessing your business's needs, explore different available modes of freight. These include shipping your business goods by road, rail, air, or sea. Here is a comparison table of different freight modes with the pros and cons of each that you can use to pick the best mode according to your business's needs:
Freight Mode | Pros | Cons |
Air Freight | ● Fast ● Best for high-value goods ● Ideal for time-sensitive goods | ● Most expensive ● Limited cargo capacity ● Vulnerable to weather disruptions |
Road Freight | ● Versatile ● Easily accessible ● Door-to-door delivery convenience ● Suitable for both short and long-distance domestic movement of goods | ● Traffic can cause significant delays ● Limited by road infrastructure ● Costly for long distances in comparison to rail or sea freight |
Rail Freight | ● Good for large volumes of goods that have to be delivered over long distances ● Environmentally-friendly ● Cost-effective for bulk products ● High capacity for heavy and bulk goods | ● Can be more time-taking ● Less flexible ● Limited to the rail network |
Sea Freight | ● Most cost-effective for large volumes of goods ● Economical for bulk and heavy goods that have to be delivered over long distances across the globe ● Lower environmental impact | ● Slow transit times ● Longer lead times ● Vulnerable to weather disruptions |
3. Explore and Choose the Best Freight Providers
Explore different freight providers available that can cater to the needs of your business and the goods you want to deliver. Here’s how to go about it easily:
Reviews
Explore different logistics companies and companies and search for freight providers with great customer reviews and reputations.
Pricing
Get quotes from different providers, prioritize transparent pricing policies, and choose the one that aligns well with your budget. Make sure you don't compromise on safety just to save up some extra dollars.
Timeliness
Evaluate the delivery times and speed of different providers.
Customer Service
Ensure the freight provider you choose has top-notch customer service with 24/7 assistance and easy-to-use communication channels. That way, you will be able to communicate and tackle all goods-related issues in real-time.
4. Look for Technology and Tracking Capability
Technology is changing the face of modern logistics and giving companies a competitive edge like no other. For you to get one, look for technology integration of freight providers and real-time tracking ability.
Modern logistic companies with real-time tracking features can let you keep a tab on your shipments in real-time. Besides, providers with robust freight management software and data analytics skills can help you move your goods across the globe with greater efficiency and transparency.
5. Ensure Safety, Licensing, and Compliance
Something that should be non-negotiable while finding the perfect freight solution for your business is safety and regulatory compliance. Make sure your goods are packed safely and labeled correctly and that the logistics service provider you choose has all the necessary licenses and holds regulatory compliance in high regard.
All of this is critical to protect your business and avoid fines and legal issues.
6. Embrace Sustainability
Sustainability and green logistics are the way forward. Make sure you embrace sustainability while finding freight solutions by focusing on choosing environmentally-friendly freight modes and logistic companies that are actively trying to reduce their fuel consumption and carbon footprint.
Choosing sustainability and being transparent about it can help your business with improved brand identity and strengthen the trust of consumers, especially the eco-conscious ones. Research revealed 44% of customers are more likely to buy from a company that prioritizes sustainability.
7. Leverage Cost Optimization Strategies
Optimize your logistic expense for greater profitability:
Negotiate the Rates
After you have chosen a freight provider, get custom quotes according to your business needs and negotiate rates with long-term contracts.
Consolidate Your Shipments
Maximize your freight efficiency by combining different shipments rather than exhausting resources.
Seize Backhaul Opportunities
Never let an empty truck stay empty when you have goods that need to be delivered. Benefit from trucks and trailers that are returning back empty or use free load boards to transport your goods free of cost when there’s available space.
8. Look for Additional Services
Don’t just choose a logistics company or solution that will move your goods from point X to Y. Look for additional services like:
Warehousing and Storage
See whether or not freight providers offer temporary storage solutions for your shipment in case there are emergencies or supply chain disruptions.
Customs Clearance
Opt for providers that can assist you in navigating tedious and demanding customs processes for international shipments as these require expertise.
Insurance
Ensure your freight service provider has proper insurance in place to safeguard your shipments.
These additional services will add convenience and boost the security of your freight operations.
9. Build Long-Term Relationships with Freight Providers
Don't hop from one provider to another if one can cover most or all your needs. Why? By developing long-term and strong relationships with freight providers, you can get benefits like:
Consistent and reliable service
Improved negotiation power and better rates and terms
Collaborative problem-solving while addressing challenges
Building and investing in long-term relationships with a logistics company can enhance your business’s overall logistics strategy and cut down additional costs that come with new contracts and frequent onboarding.
Conclusion for Finding the Perfect Freight Solution
Finding the perfect freight solution isn't that complex. It is more of an ongoing optimization effort to collaborate with freight providers that can help you curtail logistic expenses yet increase your business's overall profits and revenue growth.
Partnering with Veltri Logistics for your freight needs will help you achieve these goals in real-time. With the use of cutting-edge technology, real-time tracking, and commitment to adopting sustainability, they can be your go-to freight solution to streamline your supply chain operations.
Contact them today to get your goods moving!
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