Managed Freight: Solutions for Smart Shippers
Freight rates are high and capacity is tight.
It’s no secret that the pandemic has done a number on the freight market. Rates are high and capacity is tight. If you’re a manufacturer or distributor, you’re probably at your wit’s end. Sourcing carriers (good carriers), keeping track of your cargo once it’s on the road, and dealing with angry customers when things don’t go as planned delete your energy and take up way too much of your valuable time.
It might be time to think about managed freight services. But what does that mean? Simply put, managed freight is a full-service relationship between your company and a freight broker or 3PL that manages the full spectrum of your day-to-day shipping needs in order to streamline processes, reduce costs, and eliminate risk.
A recent study by Armstrong and Associates reported that 90% of Fortune 500 companies use 3PLs for a variety of their shipping needs. But smaller companies are often losing out on the benefits, like managed freight, a good 3PL offers. When you choose managed freight services, you are opting for consistency, reliability, extra time, and fewer headaches. But here’s what else you can expect.
Managed Freight Services: What Can You Expect?
On-time, safe, and reliable delivery of your products.
You don’t have time for missed appointments or late deliveries. The transportation landscape has changed dramatically since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can expect these changes to reverberate for the next 12 months. The integrity of your supply chain is paramount to your success.
Management and elimination of risk.
Excessive liabilities are always a worry for shippers. Sourcing and vetting carriers is difficult on the best day. 3PLs have expert knowledge of the regulations and violations that can cost you time, money, and respect, and can protect you from risks associated with transportation.
Predictive technology.
The freight market is always unpredictable, but even more so now. Without the right technology, it’s impossible for you to know what’s ahead and that makes it impossible to make informed business decisions. A 3PL with the right technology can give you insight into your supply chain that will help you save time and money and plan for the future.
Customer service and communication.
You don’t have time to react to freight issues 24/7. A managed freight provider has the experience, knowledge, and technology to work with your customers and your carriers. They supply the technology and the communication to keep your supply chain running smoothly while providing you with the transparency you need to grow your business.
Access to premier carriers.
When you choose managed freight services, you are signing up for access to the best carriers in the business. Did you know that in 2019 the trucking industry was short 60,000+ drivers and according to the American Trucking Associations that number will be 100,000 by 2023. This driver shortage is going to continue to impact your ability to get decent carriers at a reasonable rate. A good 3PL will have relationships with seasoned carriers and drivers that won’t let you down.
Managed Freight Solutions at AM Transport Services
The AM Transport team has been in the logistics industry for 31 years building relationships with a core group of exceptional and highly rated carriers. We work with big and small manufacturers–you don’t have to be a Fortune 500 company to reap the benefits of working with a great 3PL. Career logistics professionals, the AMT team works together to keep your supply chain running smoothly.
Don’t take our word on it. Check out our Google and DAT reviews, and when you are ready to say goodbye to logistics headaches and save time and money, give us a call. We’d love to show you how AM Transport Services can help.