The Shipping Puzzle…
By Bill Edwards, VP Sales & Marketing at Tyler Truss. Contact Bill at bedwards@tylertruss.com.
Moving Heavy Goods Across the U.S.
If you have ever been put into that seat…the seat at the desk of your shipping specialist, you know you don’t want to ever sit there again. However, you do, immediately, develop a newfound appreciation for the person in that position at your company.
If you have not sat in that seat and have a position where you work with the shipping department at your company, listen up!
Shipping can be like a 500-hundred-piece puzzle. Each piece the size of a dime and nearly the same color. And there’s no giving up and going back to the puzzle table tomorrow. Each shipment can be difficult, and each puzzle must be completed the day you start.
WHERE TO START – Flip the puzzle pieces face-up.
Specific Requirements – Weight, pallets, special handling, packaging.
Classification Rules – Determining freight class (e.g. Less than a truckload-LTL)
Measurements (H/W/L) and weight, document prep, booking, and packaging for pick up.
WHAT FREIGHT COMPANY DO YOU HIRE? – Sort the edge pieces of the puzzle.
One of the keys is to find - and hold on for life - reputable shippers. Third-party logistics companies can be a big help. They provide insight into the rate of on-time delivery, damage
history, and re-rate percentages per carrier, and more. BTW, re-rates are when a carrier changes its rate after quoted, when the actual load doesn’t match the shipper’s input. It pays to be accurate. Bottom line, not all carriers are the same.
TIMELINE! – Build the border of your puzzle.
Whew, how do you make sure the promised delivery date and time is accurate? Knowing that information is golden! For example, LTL does not move over a weekend vs dedicated trucks/FTL Partial TL which do. Then there’s weather, holidays, breakdowns. Lots of pieces to the puzzle.
WHEN DEADLINES & SHIP-TO ADDRESSES CHANGE AFTER SHIPPING – Stop trying to jam puzzle pieces in that don’t fit.
Then there is Load Rescue or re-consignment where you need to intercept a shipment after shipping. Say your client gave you the wrong arrival date for the product or your client’s client changed venues/cities. Could be several reasons. Simply put, you hire another freight company to rescue the shipment from the other freight company. Easy!
PACKAGING TO SHIP! – Work on ‘sections’ of the puzzle.
This might be the most important part of the shipping puzzle. If packaging doesn’t protect your cargo, a perfect carrier run means nothing. And there’s nothing worse than a delivery where the packaging has failed. And when you replace damaged products(s), you get hit with two costs. The cost of the replacement product(s) and another shipping charge. Plus, you may have to retrieve the damaged goods…more money!
SOME INSIGHTS & TIPS – The last 100 puzzle pieces!
Prepare a shipment knowing a fork truck operator may be a rookie or has simply never moved an overlength pallet. Never assume those in receiving have dealt with every type of delivery.
Accessorial charges will affect your rate either at time of shipping or after when the carrier
delivers to a street level site and charges you for a liftgate after the fact, whether an actual liftgate was used.
Other details that affect shipping costs – deliveries to schools, hotels, arenas, convention centers, gated access, etc.
If an appointment is required for delivery, add an extra day to transit time. Carriers won’t load for delivery until someone has been reached and a time scheduled. This is also an added charge.
Notification ahead of delivery is an option. It gives onsite personnel time to be ready. ‘Call ahead’ is the driver calling the receiving contact once the truck is out for delivery.
Check with your carrier /3pl (3rd party logistics) regarding the class for your shipment. There are classes determined by density and by type of item. For example: aluminum truss can be shipped under Trusses (NMFC 13792) which has preset classes depending on size and packing. Or Aluminum Articles (NMFC 13120) which is density based and the class is determined by dimension and weight.
Most shipper portals will have a way to check density or suggest class based on dimensions input. Always check if you don’t know. This will affect the rate. If the carrier does an assessment and finds it doesn’t fit the class, they will change the class. And they will always make sure to use the more expensive option.
There are plenty of online sites to help you. And if you decide to pursue a career in shipping, make sure you consider air traffic control first. ___________________________________________________
ABOUT TYLER TRUSS – Pendleton, IN - Since its launch in 2004, Tyler Truss® has established itself as a leader in the live event and entertainment production industry. Its dedication to safety, quality, consistency, innovation, and client service is well known. As the future of live events continues its dynamic growth, Tyler will continue its mission to provide world-class products that make a difference. And to provide on-time solutions that help its clients succeed. Tyler Truss® is a division of Tyler Companies and sister company to Tyler Marine Products. Tyler Company products are made in America, and the company is American owned.
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