TAK Trucking’s Post

Anyone who has been in this industry for a few years can remember the first time they learned that a “contract” is not the same thing it is in almost every other service industry that exists. Contracted Freight, contractual awards, contract agreements, they are all theoretical until they become a reality. But, oftentimes they do not become reality. As RFP season is discussed more and more in our industry this time of year it always makes me think of the times when as brokers or carriers we have been awarded a $2.7M award out of an RFP to find out 3 months later that your top 2 lanes by volume get private fleet preference first, a few of your lanes will run rail when lead time is aplenty, and a few more were inaccurately forecast for volumes, the products or vendors were discontinued, etc. The $2.7M you validated pricing on at $2.7M considering all lanes and your total commitment turns into $1.9M and the carriers you had sourced who would be great fits on those higher volumes were unable to keep allocating capacity as tenders were shifted between private fleets and rail. Or even worse for carriers you struggle to keep your trucks turning on what should have averaged 1-2 loads a day and is now 2-3 a week. These are all scenarios of course, but actually all ones I have seen happen.  Can shippers try to be more transparent on what gets fleet and rail preference? Absolutely. But, it’s also as simple as asking the question during validation rounds if you are a broker or carrier. And understanding the market, when rail rates are favorable and inland drayage yards are not battling congestion, and you bid a lane from so Cal to Kansas City, consider the odds and verify if they will utilize rail. For a broker or carrier trying to plan capacity and revenue, you cannot afford to not be thorough in your RFP strategy and validation rounds. It’s in everyone’s best interest that you know what you are getting into, so you can be a strong partner for your shippers. #logistics #supplychain #transportation #trucking #rfp

LTL Carrier Over-Dimension Fees It has been a bit since I posted about this topic. If you recall, this particular accessorial took off in November 2021 when Old Dominion instituted a $1,000 fee for any shipment containing an item equal to or greater than 96 inches. Virtually all other carriers quickly followed suit with their specific updates, and we saw significant increases applied through 2022 and 2023 as fees rose and additional breakpoints, mostly in the 15' - 18' range, were added. As we head into 2024, it certainly appears the carriers have their Over Dimension fees dialed in now. Through the late 2023 and early 2024 GRI cycle, changes were quite modest. Below you can see where many LTL carriers were prior to November 2021, and where they are today. Check out the 🚛Let's Talk Logistics 🚛newsletter where additional commentary and insight regarding Over-Dimensional fees and how shippers can mitigate the impact of published fees can be found. A link to the newsletter is in the comments. And you may even find an Excel file containing the full history of the graphic below, plus specific carrier rules on how they apply Over-Dimension.

Are you really still making things harder for yourself? TQL resources speak for themselves and I am your best access to them. ✨QUICK communication ✨Transparency & HONESTY ✨Cargo insurance MINIMUM of 100K for FTL ✨24/7/365 TRACKING AND COMMUNICATION ✨IN HOUSE TMS system ✨FTL AVAILABILITY in the United States and Canada ✨LTL AVAILABILITY in the United States and Canada ✨BOX TRUCK and SPRINTER capacity ✨CUSTOMS and BONDS COVERED ✨ AIR Quotes ✨OCEAN Quotes ✨INTERMODAL Quotes ✨HEAVY HAUL/PERMITTED CARRIERS ✨Warehousing Imagine the ROI once you streamline your logistics and supply chain. Aside from monetary value, what about your TIME? Having someone you trust to COMMUNICATE with you and solve problems with little notice or disruption to you, saves something invaluable. TIME. Can I help you save time? 🧐 Happy Friday Jr! -Your favorite freight liaison ✨ Smile today! #FTL #LTL #ocean #air #container #international #freight #broker #logistics #supplychain #streamline #communication #3pl #tql

Optimizing capacity and reducing environmental impact are critical objectives for sustainable operations.

“Carrier service should never erode my margins, but it does all the time.” Risking your margins with every carrier decision? Service data shouldn’t be a black box when you exist in a service-based industry. You should have access to carrier performance data at the point of booking a load or sourcing new carriers. Make informed decisions by knowing the performance you can expect from your carriers, and compare your service to industry benchmarks. Control your cost-per-load and protect your margins. iso.io

Looking for reliable Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping solutions? With a dedicated focus on optimizing your logistics, we provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to your unique needs. We have an extensive network of quality LTL carriers, positioning us with maximum capacity and competitive pricing. This ensures you have access to a wide array of options, guaranteeing competitive rates and reliable service for your shipments. But our commitment doesn't stop there. We understand the challenges of managing LTL shipments, which is why we offer dedicated internal Account Management support. This allows you to concentrate on your core business while we handle the intricacies of account management. Additionally, our client-specific pricing negotiation team tirelessly secures the best rates for your shipments at no cost to you. Plus, our advanced API LTL rating functionality empowers you to leverage dynamic pricing and seamlessly integrate volume pricing in our proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS). Let's not forget our robust back-office support, equipped with an LTL audit engine, rebill resolution assistance, and operational support for classification and system inquiries. With Armstrong Transport Group, you're not just partnering with a logistics provider – you're gaining a team of experts dedicated to your success. Experience the difference in LTL shipping with us. Request a quote today and let Armstrong Transport Group elevate your logistics game: https://lnkd.in/euKM_B2n #ArmstrongTransport #ATG #LTL #LessThanTruckload #LTLShipping #Logistics #LogisticsSolutions #LogisticsServices #Freight #Cargo #Shipping #Transportation #ShippingServices #FreightAgent

Had a call today with an LTL shipper who is struggling with carrier reclasses. They actually take the time to measure their shipments with a tape measure, but it does not solve the problem. Why, you might ask? 2 reasons. First, they know they make errors, mostly reading handwritten dims wrong or entering them wrong. Data is not being captured digitally. Second, they have no documented record to turn to when those adjusted invoices come in. There is a better way. Regardless of shipper size and budget, there are solutions available right now that capture dimensions digitally, and can capture weight, and can capture photos. These solutions can also store the data so it can be retrieved on demand, even in the form of a shipper certificate. These solutions can solve invoice issues, and help with damage and shortage claims. The best part is that carriers want shippers who do it right and can provide them with accurate digital data. Carriers will reward these shippers. There are multiple wins here. Want to learn more? Just reach out.

To whom it may concern: Some carriers really need to understand what an ALL INCLUSIVE RATE entails. When a broker proposes to match a target rate that includes all costs, and the carrier agrees, it signifies a comprehensive agreement. Brokers invest significant effort in bidding on numerous quotes to secure business. So, when we finally seal the deal with you, dear carrier, on that all-in rate, it's paramount for carriers to honor the agreed-upon all-in rate without introducing last-minute charges. And not every brokerage is Total Questionable Logistics, we did not keep your $8000!

Carrier Exits Slow Down The trucking industry witnessed a notable decrease in the rate of company exits during May and June 2024, marking a potential shift towards market stabilization. The FMCSA data indicates that while economic pressures like high fuel costs and low spot market rates persist, fewer carriers are choosing to exit the market compared to the earlier part of the year. Some Key Facts: • Fewer Carrier Exits: Significant slowdown in the rate of trucking companies leaving the business in May and June 2024. • Market Rebalancing: This trend indicates a potential stabilization and rebalancing within the trucking industry. • Economic Pressures: Despite ongoing economic pressures, fewer carriers are exiting the market compared to previous months. • Resilient New Entrants: New carrier authorizations show resilience, suggesting optimism among new market players. • Freight Demand Growth: Freight demand showed positive growth in Q1 2024, hinting at a recovery in the industry. • Capacity Adjustments: Ongoing capacity adjustments are essential for improving future rate stability and market conditions. This slowdown in revocations suggests a rebalancing of market forces, which could lead to more stable rates and improved conditions for carriers moving forward. Furthermore, the slight increase in new carrier authorizations demonstrates resilience and optimism among new entrants, contributing to a cautiously optimistic outlook for the industry. #TruckingIndustry #Logistics #FMCSA #CarrierExits #SupplyChain #Transportation #EconomicTrends #FreightMarket

Brokers seek dependable carriers. Carriers look for reliable, well-paying freight. Back when I was dispatching, I'd always ask brokers a few key questions after delivering a load: How often do you run this lane? What other loads do you frequently have? Can I see a list of your upcoming loads? These questions helped me build a network of trusted brokers, moving beyond the load boards. Now, from the other side, I notice these questions are rarely asked. It's often up to me to keep in touch with carriers to rebuild that network. Building a strong broker/carrier relationship requires effort and time from both sides. Consistency is what makes it work. #Freight #Logistics #Trucking #SupplyChain