Shipping is often the biggest distinction for most consumers. As a business you literally can’t afford to overlook this simple fact.
With shipping becoming pricier by the day and more consumer bases splitting their budgets more delicately, figuring out your TL shipments early in the year will save you losses by the time 2018 wraps up. Do you expect your shipment to make multiple stops on the way to its destination? Are the products time-sensitive and running the risk of spoiling? All these questions add up to a final result that can be average, positive or even groundbreaking. Let’s find out how you make sure you’re asking the right ones.
Did You Know?
What is shipping looking like these days? Look no further than the leaders in your industry. E-commerce is a growing field with its fingers in many pies, helping businesses receive their products faster, manufacturing plants their materials and customers their long-awaited items. The most preferred element in shipping is easily convenience, timeliness and a close adherence to quality. Learning about the benefits of freight management software and the ins and outs of proper TL shipments will ensure you’re leaving a positive impact every step of the way.
American Shipments
Before you look into broker systems you need to know how American shipments are going. The LTL market today is estimated at a rather impressive $35 billion, with each year bringing in figures more staggering than the last. Back in 2013 trucking alone transported nearly 15 billion tons of cargo. The Bureau Of Labor Statistics have estimated that, by the time 2040 arrives, this number will inch closer to 19 billion tons. TL shipments have only benefited from the digital shift.
American E-Commerce
The name of the game is e-commerce. It’s faster and more accurate for businesses to keep track of their shipments with the aid of load broker software. It’s more convenient for customers to order their products online. To keep up with this digital phenomenon is to put your business in the best possible location for long-term success. American e-commerce revenue is nearing $420 billion and is still climbing. This includes full truckload, less-than-truckload (shortened to LTL) and parcel.
American Expectations
What are the expectations for America’s e-commerce and shipping options? According to data provided by Satish Jindel, president of the SJ Consulting Group, nearly 25% of all for-hire freight tonnage can be attributed to retail alone. He also found out the length of haul has significantly declined these past few years. Public truckload carriers, for example, have reported the average length of haul dipping 4% between 2011 and 2016. The U.S. Department Of Transportation has also chipped in some thoughts on the matter, with the value of freight moved increasing from $880 per ton to nearly $1,400.
Choosing The Right Shipment Method
The difference between LTL shipments will mean the difference between a business paving the way and a business buckling under pressure. Over 12 million trucks, rail cars and locomotives will move goods over the transportation network on a routine basis. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has estimated nearly six million commercial motor vehicle drivers operating in the United States alone. Trucks still carry the largest share of freight by value, tons and ton-miles. Small businesses often benefit greatly from TL shipments, while larger businesses may need to re-consider their shipment tracking integrations.
E-commerce is at a breakneck pace. Can you and your shipment tracking keep up?
