For years, freight forwarding companies have handled shipment bookings, rate comparisons and tracking services that are now offered by most online marketplaces. Where does that leave the middlemen of the freight world?
The situation was simple and understood by all local parties: Shipment must be re-sent, cargo was stolen. While this was apparently a common occurrence in that particular country, the nonchalant attitude toward serious cargo theft raised my eyebrows.
Cyclical market swings are being exacerbated by new legislation and the entry of Amazon into the delivery business — factors that are likely to drive rates even lower.
The freight industry is trying new business models and tools to keep up with consumer demand for same-day and one-hour delivery times. This guide to carrier rate shopping can help shippers navigate these changes.
As Amazon.com works to speed orders to customer doorsteps before Christmas, the e-commerce giant is touting an accomplishment that would have seemed absurd just a few years ago: Amazon is now its own biggest carrier.
Challenge: A national LTL carrier experienced an increase in customer requests to deliver single pallets to multiple small stores throughout Los Angeles. Schedules were tight, and deliveries had to be fulfilled at specific times.
Because of its importance in all types of business, the supply-chain industry is uniquely positioned to make big impacts from the adoption of green practices.