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January 26, 2023 by Logistics

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

This year in Logistics could turn out to be a tale of two cities, “What you know” versus “What you don’t know”. There’s a lot of uncertainty about the economy and what’s happening on the world’s stage.

We do know that the Logistics Industry has had to evolve over the last couple years and 2023 will be no different as we move into an uncertain economy and the threat of recession. Your (logistics) focus should be on developing resilience, and reliability in your supply chain. COVID-19 was the test and it forced us all to adopt new business models and outlooks.

Here are some things that can impact your individual supply chain.

Merger and acquisition activity- Logistics companies grew fast and furiously during the Pandemic. This rapid growth gained a lot of attention from private equity firms looking to invest in fast-growing firms. Look for more of the same in 2023.

Expanded offerings- A key driver of change is how expectations of customers have evolved. This has caused Logistics companies to believe that their customers want a broader set of services. This can happen either by extending services portfolios (deep), or by expanding existing services across geographies, industries, or modes (wide). There will be continued emphasis by Logistics companies to go both “deep” and “wide” in 2023 to meet customer demands and needs.

Normal carrier supply cycles- During the pandemic, the cycles for transporting a load were unpredictable. You should expect a return to normal cycles in 2023.  With stable capacity brokers and shippers can become more selective in matching carriers to loads.

Technology as a key driver- Shippers turned to technology with logistics partners in 2022. 2023 requires more of the same. With a TMS (Transportation Management System), a company can handle their freight more effectively to meet customer’s demands for shorter delivery times. Technology makes it possible to automate processes like paying drivers faster, that used to be handled manually (on paper). This frees the labor pool to focus on more value-added projects. Logistics industries are more automated, and less manually intensive. The industry was traditionally an “old school sector” with lots of paper driven processes. Now, it has been pushed into the digital age by a mix of factors, including customer demand, labor shortages and the need to be able to do more with less.

Sustainability- Shippers are dealing with policy changes in 2023 and a growing interest related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Retailers have made strong ESG commitments in upcoming years. Increasing environmental regulations and consumer pressures to bring down pollution and greenhouse emissions are forcing the logistics industry to reconfigure and innovate to become “green”. It can also raise costs.

Help Wanted and Needed – Companies are continually required to come up with new ways to attract, hire and retain valuable human resources. Warehouses struggle to keep positions filled and the ongoing driver shortage has the transportation sector feeling similar pain. This will continue unabated in 2023.

Resiliency- Companies will (and should) focus more on building networks that can withstand disruption. Supply Chains face disruptive events every day, these events can add up to consequences for and within the organization. Logistics and supply chains will continue to face countless and unpredictable disruptions in 2023, including the economy, weather events, and geopolitical issues. You must try and build a network that can deal effectively with disruptions.

Reliable Logistics Partners- More companies learned the value of having reliable logistics partners during the Pandemic. These relationships can go a long way to help companies navigate the ever-changing transportation environment.

Digital data and visibility- Digitization prepared companies for mining data. This will facilitate intelligent decision-making. Data analytics provides visibility to customers. This is one of the biggest challenges for shippers today. It’s difficult to know what’s going on in the chain. By digitizing supply chain process and collecting the data through the life of a load, shippers have (full) visibility on their shipment. In 2023, digitization, data, and visibility will become more prevalent, and increasingly faster and accurate.

Reshoring/nearshoring- Reshoring/Nearshoring emphasis has increased over the past couple of years. Driven by tension between the US and China, spikes in shipping costs, the pandemic’s effects on global supply chains, and concerns about sustainability companies have relocated from Asia to Mexico/US to lower transit times and reduce risk. Proximity allows goods to be transported (more often) over the road at competitive prices. This emphasis will continue driven by more “Black Swan” events.

Diesel prices- The price of US diesel fuel rose significantly (roughly 55%) in the first half of 2022. The Russia-Ukraine conflict was a chief cause. In addition, International rule IMO 2020, with Sulphur content restrictions, will take further effect and businesses moving cargo will have to find ways to adapt to this rule as it raises prices for fuel.

Capacity- 2023 probably won’t bring an increase in the supply of transportation capacity. As insurance, fuel and maintenance costs continue to rise, and demand falters, supply may shrink as smaller carriers struggle, forcing them to either merge or quit operations.

Accelerating inflation- Interest rate hikes, enacted to slow consumer spending and inflation, have started to depress the U.S. economy. Transport companies must navigate this moderation in demand. Going forward, the struggles will continue as we enter a possible recession in 2023.

Ongoing Semi-Truck Shortage  

A change in the composition of the national labor market was felt all over the world. This pressure puts semi-truck manufacturers behind the curve. The U.S. transportation industry requires roughly 200,000 new vehicles a year to maintain an adequate age of its fleet. During the height of the Pandemic, truck manufacturers missed these replacement levels, forcing trucking companies to use older vehicles. This year, manufacturers are on track to meet the transportation industry’s replacement demands. However, the current backlog of semi-truck orders is the largest ever. Carriers typically expand their fleet sizes when spot rates are high. They couldn’t do that this year.

Consumer Spending- The way people spend their money drives the transportation world. Consumer spending patterns are starting to shift. When the pandemic hit, consumer purchases of durable goods spiked. E-Commerce transactions set all-time highs. This shift required a massive response from trucking companies and their drivers. Recently, with rising inflation and no pandemic restrictions, consumer buying habits have shifted again. Now consumers are spending less money on durable products which require trucking and more on services/experiences which don’t.

Spot rates– Freight demand has outpaced the supply of trucks. This trend will probably continue into 2023 as consumers paying with credit at an accelerated rate feel the effects of inflation. It’s likely that consumer spending will slow across the board in 2023, decreasing the transportation industry’s workload and keeping spot prices low.

Managing Logistics in 2023

Based on the above topics there will be plenty of challenges to overcome in 2023. It won’t be easy, but it might present a good opportunity to make improvements and calibrate your supply chain for the future. To navigate 2023 successfully try to keep the following in mind:

  1. Keep your transportation providers fully informed
  2. Prioritize flexibility when planning your shipments
  3. Work with a diverse group of freight carriers and 3PL’s

A good supply chain partner like Riverside Logistics can really help you meet the challenges in 2023. Pleased call us at 804-474-7700 Option #4 and ask for Jim Durfee, VP Business Transformation. We’re happy to look into your network and guide you through the potential 2023 logistics turmoil.

Filed Under: Supply Chain, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Tagged With: 3pl, Dedicated Lanes for Shipping, East Coast Third Party Logistics Companies, Less than Truckload LTL, Logistics Company's near Virginia Ports, Logistics Company's with multiple warehouse Options, Richmond, Riverside Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation -Truck Load, Truck Brokerage, VA, Virginia

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.

————–

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

January 31, 2020 by Logistics

TRENDS IN TRANSPORTATION-Growing use of DENSITY-BASED PRICING by LTL CARRIERS

by James Durfee

Within the last 3 years, less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers have shifted away from the traditional National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) rate-setting formula.  In the past carriers assigned a distinct class rating to each different commodity.  Because of new scanning technology that allows carriers to weigh and inspect each shipment it has become easier to utilize more density-based pricing. Density-based pricing prices freight according to the weight per cubic foot of space (cubic feet) the shipment uses in the truck. This model has had a significant impact on shippers’ freight costs.  Due to this change, it’s important to understand the new pricing methods for LTL shipments, how it impacts rates and how to negotiate rate structures.

TRADITIONAL NMFC CLASS RATING

As background, the “class rating” assigned to LTL products, runs from a low of class 50 to a high of class 500. The higher the class the higher the cost. A rough rule-of-thumb is that using class 100 as the baseline, class 50 would essentially be 50% of the baseline cost and class 200 would approximate 200% of the baseline cost. This is a very rough approximation, but it illustrates how significantly costs can vary based on the CLASS RATING of a shipment. Class ratings are normally assigned using the following 4 characteristics:

  • Density – pounds per cubic foot
  • Handling – ease or difficulty handling product
  • Stow Ability – ability to effectively load product in the trailer
  • Liability – cost in dollars per pound to compensate pay for lost/damaged product.

PURE DENSITY BASED PRICING

Pure Density-Based pricing assigns a class to product just using the following formula:

  • Length x Wide x Height in inches= cubic inches / 1728 = cubic feet.
  • Divide weight of product (including pallet weight) by cubic feet = DENSITY

If the density = 6, the product would be classed at class 125

If the density < 4, the product would be classed at class 250

In this case the cost of the shipment could almost double if the density drops by 2 lbs./cubic ft. That’s a substantial difference and points out how important it is to understand the density of your product and how it is classified.  Remember, density-based pricing limits carrier liability.  The reduced insurance risk then falls back on the shipper to have additional insurance for high value items.

If you would like to discuss this topic further, contact one of our sales representatives at 804-729-8189.

By James Durfee

Filed Under: News & Events, Transportation News Tagged With: Freight Rates, James Durfee, Less than Truckload LTL, LTL Carriers, National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), Pure Density Based Pricing, Richmond, Shipping, Trends in Transportation, VA, Virginia

August 20, 2019 by Logistics

What Transportation Services Does Riverside Logistics Offer?

Riverside-Logistics-New-Trailers
Third Party Freight Management
 – It can take hours of valuable time to search for the best combination of mode, equipment, schedule, price and availability. Even then, you may not be sure that you’ve selected the right carrier for the job. When you have Riverside Logistics manage your shipments, whether for a project or your entire supply chain, we tap into our vast contracted and insured network of quality, reputable carriers to find the best solution. We have access to all modes of transportation, including small package, LTL, full load /consolidations, refrigerated, dry, and flat bed.

Riverside offers dedicated trucking resources to serve the Middle Atlantic and Southeastern states along the I-95 corridor. Our experience is both broad and deep, including work in a variety of industries such as medical products (including sterile surgical products), food and beverages, building materials, retail and industrial packaging, metals, chemicals, fertilizer and minerals, automotive supply, timber and paper products and a wide variety of consumer products including, non-durables and durables. We are a proud member of The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) as well as the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, leading trade associations of third party logistics companies.

Services

  • Truck Brokerage
  • Core Carrier Program
  • Carrier Quoting – RFP, RFQ, Analysis, Negotiation, and Contracting
  • Shipment Consolidation and Mode Selection
  • Carrier Optimization and Selection
  • Freight Bill Audit and Payment
  • Freight Claims & Prevention Strategies
  • Yard Management
  • Trailer Pools

Transportation Modes

  • Air freight (small package and heavyweight)
  • Small parcel
  • LTL (Standard and Volume Quote)
  • Drayage
  • Truckload (Dry Van, Flatbed, Refrigerated)
  • Intermodal
  • Dedicated
  • Ocean Freight (Container or Roll On Roll Off)
  • Hot Shot, Time Definite, Guaranteed Delivery

Filed Under: News & Events, Transportation News Tagged With: Core Carrier Programs, Dedicated Lanes for Shipping, Drayage, Freight Services near the Virginia Ports, Healthcare Freight, Henrico County, Hot Shot, Intermodal, Less than Truckload LTL, Medical Device Sterilization, Medical Distribution, Near the Richmond Marine Terminal, Near the Virginia Ports, Ocean Freight, Richmond, Shippers with Assets, Small Package, Third Party Freight Management, Transportation Services, Truck Brokerage, Virginia, Virginia Ports

April 2, 2019 by Logistics

Riverside Logistics TMS system provides insight to shippers for the best LTL carrier choices.

LTL Metrics

Introducing Logistically TMS:

Logistically TMS (LyTMS) was designed with simplicity in mind.  The system provides shippers with insight into the best carrier choices for their customer by listing cost and transit information across a wide variety of carrier choices. This allows the user to make an up-to-date informed decision consistent with their immediate requirements for cost and service. Once carrier selection is decided based on your customer requirements, the bill of lading and tendering functions can be generated right from the quote screen, making the transaction very efficient.  The Dashboards will allow you to view your shipping patterns and track your costs and shipments in real time. The Logistically TMS offers additional benefits to help manage your freight accurately.

  • Automated shipment tracking and event notification.
  • Pre-loaded customer database addresses and information.
  • Changes to the bill of lading can be done and updated while in the system.
  • Total cost metrics are available on demand per customer or carrier
  • Multiple users with varying levels of access can be setup as needed
  • Quotes can be saved and retrieved at any time to tender to the carrier

Filed Under: News & Events Tagged With: Freight Cost Metrics, How to ship LTL, Less than Truckload LTL, LTL Shippers in RIchmond, LTL Shippers near the Port of Richmond, Near the Norfolk International Terminals, Port of Richmond, Richmond Marine Terminal, Riverside Logistics, Tracking LTL shipments, Transportation Cost Metrics, Virginia

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