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August 27, 2020 by Logistics

Are your freight costs going up?

If so,  you are not alone. The recent disruption in supply chain due to Covid-19 has been challenging and well documented.  Being able to ship product on demand is a basic business need. The challenge in today’s environment is lack of predictability.  As Covid-19 cases increased, demand for food to restock grocery stores rose dramatically, while demand for food from restaurants and hotels slowed drastically. This shift is just one example of an extraordinary change in freight demand. As demand goes up, prices go up. As demand goes down, prices go down. When both are happening at the same time…it can be very challenging. 

A third-party logistics company can help relieve some of this stress because of the volume of freight they handle and their close monitoring of truck capacity. This volume means they have strong relationships within the transportation industry and warehouse space at their disposal to help provide solutions that many transportation companies cannot offer. A strong 3PL team is dedicated to finding solutions for their customers often in unexpected ways. A 3PL can help “flatten the curve” of your freight cost and reduce the heartburn that comes with high price volatility. Below are a few specific ways a 3PL can help when your freight costs are going up and your demand for freight is changing rapidly. 

  • Local Delivery – 3PL’s have trucks running every day within a 150-mile radius of their location to serve multiple customers. By putting multiple clients product on one truck the cost is reduced for all. As a matter of fact, when more clients that have different products going to the same locations (Example: hospitals) everyone saves money and reliability increases. 
  • Dedicated Lanes – If a 3PL has a truck shipping freight from point A to point B for one client and finds another client who needs product shipped from point B to point A, then the 3PL can “match” the driver and truck with the loads. Everyone benefits from this relationship. More predictability, lower cost, and a knowledgeable and reliable driver who knows what you need and when you need it.
  • Drayage – International shipments, whether exports or imports, can be difficult to time with respect to labor.  A 3PL can help by not only picking up TEU’s (containers) from the port but they can either transport directly to your warehouse or client, or they can cross-dock the product (usually less than a week) at their warehouse to allow more time to find the lowest freight cost available. The Virginia Ports and the Richmond Marine Terminal are very attractive options because of their locations on the East Coast.
  • Change in Mode – Another example of how freight costs have shifted dramatically is in the airlines. The cost of using passenger airlines to ship freight internationally has increased because the number of passenger flights has dropped substantially .  Before, freight was added  to flights that were frequent and reliable so capacity was available at a reasonable cost. Now, with so few flights, there is a  significant decrease in freight capacity.  Shipping internationally may require dedicated freight flights often with an expedited focus which comes  at a much higher cost. How is  this problem solved? Maybe  with a shift in mode of transportation! Instead of Air freight maybe the shipment travels internationally by ship, or domestically by rail or truck. Obviously, timing can be a factor that needs to be taken into consideration. Low Air Freight may be a long way in the future but a 3PL company  can help.
  • Flexibility – A 3PL has many solutions to choose from to help lower your freight costs and offer cost savings from unexpected places. As you navigate the uncertain future cost of freight, it only makes sense to develop a partnership that focuses on reducing costs to help you navigate the challenges ahead.

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Riverside Logistics is a third-party logistics and supply chain management company providing a full complement of third-party logistics, transportation and warehousing solutions.

Riverside Logistics serves the Medical, Food, Chemical, Paper and other mission critical industry sectors.  Riverside Logistics has owner operator’s and dedicated lanes, with routes throughout Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast. Riverside Logistics offers pooled distribution and consolidated delivery services throughout the 48 states that can save you money. They are headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. To contact Riverside Logistics for a quote call 1-804-474-7700 Option 4 or click here.


Filed Under: Transportation News Tagged With: Change in Mode of Shipping, Drayage, How can a Third-Party Logistics Company Help (3PL), How do lower Freight Cost, How to ship LTL, Less than Truckload LTL, Local Delivery Options, Norfolk Ports, Richmond Marine Terminal, Richmond Virginia, Small Package shipping, Truck Brokerage Firm, Truckload, VA, Virginia Ports

June 1, 2020 by Logistics

How can a Third-Party Logistics company help solve your COVID-19 Supply Chain Problems?

Riverside Logistics Warehouse 3plThe disruption of supply chains due to Covid-19 is unprecedented. Businesses have been challenged to operate with a lack of mission critical raw materials, products or equipment. Economic realities of supply and demand will shift manufacturing from single source locations to decentralizing abroad or reshoring will occur back to the US to diversify supply chains.

Many challenges are ahead particularly for small businesses in terms of going back to work because of safety and security concerns. The cost structure will shift due to many factors and it will be critical to prepare for what the new normal entails.  Creating a regionally based supply chain will provide options for a market that is in flux.  Flexible solutions for storage and distribution are the advantages a third-party logistics (3PL) firm can provide and ensure that you can change with market demand.

Leveraging the Port system in Virginia is a good start to differentiate your supply chain for imports/exports.  Our Virginia Port system may offer cost advantages, less congestion and more vessel calls, than other ports on the East Coast.  Virginia continues to rank #1 as the best state for business which offers significant growth opportunities for companies needing a presence in this region.  A 3PL can provide this presence without the commitment of facilities and labor.

According to Keith Hamlett, President of Riverside Logistics, a Third-Party Logistics (3PL) company headquarted in Richmond, Virginia; a 3PL partner can provide expertise for clients facing these challenging issues in the supply chain.  A third-party Logistics company can offer a variety of ways to help with your supply chain diversification or expansion.  Listed are areas that a 3PL can assist.

  1. People- A third-party Logistics company (3PL) usually has experienced staff ready to provide solutions. Training can be a challenge in the current environment and a Third-Party Logistics company can provide the appropriate personnel customized for your environment. They often have training solutions in place to help speed this process. This ensures your supply chain will be in place quickly.
  1. Warehouse Space Available– Often 3PL’s have warehouse space available and under management, they can modify space for your specific needs. Some 3PL’s will have commodity specific warehouse space available like: food grade, pharma certified or hazmat for those markets. Not all warehouse space is created equal. Usually a 3PL will have multiple locations and can offer flexible solutions for you.  As an example, they may have a facility adjacent to the Port of Richmond for easy access for rail, import and export. They may have a rail side warehouse as well. A 3PL’s focus is to lower your total supply chain cost and flexible alternative solutions can be critical to your success.
  1. Transportation Solutions – Another advantage of working with a Third-Party Logistics company (3PL) is they have a broad array of freight services that include Truckload, Less than Truckload (LTL), Small Package and container drayage. Often, a 3PL will have owner operator’s and dedicated lanes, with routes throughout Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast. They may be able to offer pooled distribution and consolidated delivery services throughout the 48 states that can save you money. This can be a great advantage when you are constantly evaluating your supply chain cost.
  1. Technology – Technology and software can be expensive. Often a 3PL will utilize a Warehouse Management and Transportation Management system to optimize your freight costs and provide insight into mode optimization. Access to real time data such as:  order inventory status, and other tools to speed communication to your customers can be very powerful.  A 3PL can provide a team that works together to provide visibility to your supply chain for cost saving options as well as comprehensive reporting for planning purposes.
  1. Supply Chain Strategies – Partnering with a 3PL can provide guidance to secure your supply chain and focus on your goals – not just right now but for the future.

At the end of the day a Third-Party Logistics company offers you the ability to respond quickly and accurately to market conditions or unforeseen disruptions like Covid-19.  A 3PL can keep your supply chain running, so you can stay healthy – personally and professionally!

 

————–

Riverside Logistics is a third-party logistics and supply chain management company providing a full complement of third-party logistics, transportation and warehousing solutions.

Riverside Logistics serves the Medical, Food, Chemical, Paper and other mission critical industry sectors.  Riverside Logistics has owner operator’s and dedicated lanes, with routes throughout Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast. Riverside Logistics offers pooled distribution and consolidated delivery services throughout the 48 states that can save you money. They are headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. To contact Riverside Logistics call 1-804-474-7700 Option 4 or click here to fill out the form on our contact page.

 

Filed Under: News & Events Tagged With: 3pl, Covid-19 Supply Chain Problems, How can a Third-Party Logistics Company Help (3PL), How to solve Supply Chain Problems, Richmond, Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT), Riverside Logistics, Third Party Logistics, Virginia, Virginia (VA), Warehouses near Richmond Marine Terminal

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