Partner or Perish in the New Era of Transportation
TOP 10 WAYS SHIPPERS & CARRIERS ARE PARTNERING TO OPTIMIZE SUPPLY CHAINS
There’s no denying it – the transportation & logistics industry is a’changing. According to the ATA, the trucking industry alone is currently short approximately 48,000 skilled drivers, with that number expected to swell to as much as 239,000 by 2025. Soon shippers may find themselves competing to find capacity as full truckload carriers become increasingly selective over what freight they’ll haul.
Carriers will continue to battle fluctuating fuel costs and rising price tags on equipment in order to offer competitive rates. As the industry turns upside down, it’s more important than ever for shippers and carriers to collaborate.
In fact, we’re seeing the capacity crisis helping to transform the traditional shipper/carrier relationship in ways never before imagined.
WHAT ARE SHIPPERS DOING?
Plenty. Remember that drivers fill out log books, rather than punch time clocks. So any delays in loading and unloading full truckloads eat into their strict Hours of Service regulation. And when driver productivity takes a hit, so does capacity, transit times and budgets. Many shippers are reducing dreaded dwell times – the leading cause of increasing truckload rates – by implementing best practices on their docks: |
|
![]() |
Providing clear, accurate directions and/or a map to designated dock doors. |
![]() |
Having paperwork ready (pulling orders prior to the driver’s arrival). |
![]() |
Packaging, crating or stacking cartons securely to prevent freight damage (using banding, shrink-wrap, stretch-wrap or breakaway adhesive). Many are pre-staging freight for additional efficiency. |
![]() |
Setting appropriate loading/unloading time expectations (e.g. less than 45 minutes to load a 53′ box). |
![]() |
Implementing techy communication tools, such as carrier, dispatch and shipper mobile apps, to increase productivity and efficiency. |
DISCOVER AWARD-WINNING TRUCKLOAD SERVICES FROM NEW PENN: Complete the form below to speak to an expert about New Penn Truckload Services. |