Riverside Logistics

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Supply Chains After A Year Of Disruptions

It has been a year since supply chains were disrupted due to Covid-19.  Yet businesses are still being challenged due to consistent disruptions to product supply and/or demand.  Inventories have continued to climb on some commodities while others cannot be purchased at any price.  Companies have ordered earlier only to have product delayed by stockouts or transportation interruptions.  Economic realities of the constant shift are becoming the norm.

Challenges are ahead for business that are stuck in the market flux.  Companies continue to look for regional and local solutions to supply problems they have traditionally solved offshore.  Creating a regionally based supply chain can provide options for a market that is in flux.  Flexible solutions for storage and distribution are the advantages of a third-party logistics (3PL) firm ensuring that you can change with market demand.

Leveraging Virginia’s vast range of transportation modes and modern highway network is one option to differentiate your supply chain. The Virginia transportation network offers cost advantages by being able to reach over 50% of the US population in one day.  Virginia continues to rank #1 as the best state for business which offers significant growth opportunities for companies needing a presence in this region.

According to Keith Hamlett, President of Riverside Logistics, “A 3PL partner can provide expertise for clients facing these challenging issues in the supply chain by offering flexible ways to diversify or expand your supply chain.”  Here is a list of value-add services provided by 3PL companies.

 

People – A 3PL has experienced staff with distribution solutions experience and can provide the appropriate personnel customized for your environment. They have training solutions in place to help speed this process. This ensures your supply chain will be in place quickly.

 

Warehouse Space Available – Experienced 3PL’s have warehouse space they can modify for your specific needs.  Special certifications can be provided for food, pharmaceuticals, hazardous materials, or other unique markets.  Usually, 3PL’s will have multiple locations offering flexible solutions for your product.

 

Transportation Solutions – An advantage of working with a 3PL company is they have a broad array of freight service options.  Truckload, Less-than-Truckload (LTL), Small Package and container drayage are just a few of the modes that can be considered. Utilizing the right service can save you money.

 

Technology – Specialized software can be expensive to purchase and implement. Utilizing a 3PL’s Warehouse and Transportation Management systems to minimize your distribution costs is smart.  Access to real time data such as orders, inventory status, competitive transportation rates and other metrics speeds information flow to you and your customers.

 

Supply Chain Strategies – Partnering with a 3PL can provide you with expertise and guidance to secure your supply chain and focus on your company’s goals – not just right now but for the future.

 

 

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What is Expedited Freight, and Who Uses it?

Expedited freight services are utilized by shippers to deliver goods to the customer on a specific date and sometimes at a specific time of day. Overall standard, non-expedited, transportation services have delivery accuracy rates that can range from a high of 98% to less than 50% on-time.  This fluctuates based on overall industry capacity and individual carrier management.

The most common mode for expedited freight to move is by air. Freight is picked up and delivered by truck but ends up travelling most of the distance by plane. If possible, expedited freight can be driven in various types of equipment. Of course, the shipment must cross a drivable distance within your timeframe, so sending freight this way only makes sense for short distances (usually less than 500 miles).

The challenge with sending expedited freight by air charter or road is that it is more expensive than standard freight.  Premiums can range anywhere from a 20% to 3 or 4 times the amount normally paid for a standard transit shipment.  Shippers use this method only when it is necessary to maintain customer commitments.

There are six major industries that frequently utilize expedited freight companies for a variety of reasons.

  1. Medical Industry – Used when valuable devices cannot sit in the back of a freight vehicle for long periods of time.
  2. Pharmaceutical Industry – Advantageous for  patients who rely on their medications for survival allowing them to receive  them immediately.
  3. Manufacturing Industry – Meeting deadlines is often a challenge. If parts do not come in on time, projects can get delayed or whole operations can be shut down.  Depending on the size of the operation those costs usually outweigh the cost of the expedited freight.
  4. E-commerce Industry – Retail stores are growing tremendously, and many of them offer their products online. Several big retailers also offer fast shipping options, including two days, overnight, or even same day delivery.
  5. Seasonal – This industry sells most of its products once a year in holiday-themed pop-up stores. With the help of an expedited shipping provider, business should not be running out of stock when customers are buying the most, which helps cut down on inventory costs.
  6. Perishable high value food – For expensive high value food products like Ahi Tuna, getting product across the world in hours instead of days ensures the food can be consumed within hours of receipt.

Expedited freight is used to make sure cargo gets to its location as soon as possible. It is important to consider the increased cost of expedited freight with the cost of not having the product at your location when it is needed.  If you need this type of service reach out to us.  Riverside Logistics can help match your needs with the best value expedited service.

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Scott Claus Earns Certified Transportation Broker Designation

Scott CScott Claus, Director of Transportation for Riverside Logistics, CTB logo-web_transparentInc. has been granted the professional designation of Certified Transportation Broker by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA). He now belongs to a very select group of professionals who have distinguished themselves in the industry.  Only 2,300 people have earned this certification since 1986.

A Certified Transportation Broker candidate must pass three areas of competency: brokerage basics and basic business skills; contracts and pricing; and regulatory environmental and legal issues.  “The CTB designation signifies to others throughout the industry that you understand the operational aspects of transportation and the rules, regulations, law and practices of a professional transportation broker, “ said Laurie Denham, TIA, Vice President of Education.

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