I wasn't quite sure what to expect when our transportation procurement team asked me to play the role of "shipper" in developing a procurement process for a customer of ours, a major LTL shipper. But despite my less-than-optimal experiences with the LTL trucking industry, I was optimistic. I was excited by the potential of new Web-based bid technology, sophisticated analysis tools and experienced data engineers. I was optimistic that together we could deliver competitive rates that provided committed capacity and fostered partnerships with shippers and LTL service providers.

That's because the ground rules in the transportation industry, including the LTL market, have changed with the expansion of third party logistics. The 3PLs that provide LTL services don't compete with LTL carriers; they're partners. And over the past decade, as shippers came to rely more on logistics intermediaries to manage complex supply chains, that 3PL-LTL partnership has gained importance.

At GENCO ATC, we work closely with the LTL industry to improve our service offerings and maximize the benefits shippers can enjoy. Read More.