3 LTL Freight Shipping Tips To Improve Your Efficiency

Like most business owners, you’re probably on the lookout for new ways to create shipping efficiencies for your business. But saving time isn’t the only benefit of improving your LTL freight shipping processes. A more efficient shipping process can boost your bottom line while improving the buying experience for your customers.

Streamline your LTL freight operations with these three freight shipping tips:

Tip #1: Automate your LTL freight prep processes

Investing in tools that help automate your routine freight prep processes can have long-term benefits for your business. Here’s an example. Stretch-wrapping your freight is an important step in lowering the risk of damage in transit, but the process is very labor intensive. Adding a semi- or fully-automatic stretch-wrapping system reduces the amount of time and labor required to prepare your shipments — resulting in savings that can be passed on to your customers.

Tip #2: Have your LTL freight ready to go on time

While it may seem like a no-brainer, making sure your LTL freight is at the door and ready to go when the carrier arrives at your loading dock can easily boost your bottom line. LTL carriers have to make a lot of stops in one day, so you need to be ready when they arrive. If your freight isn’t on time for pickup, the carrier may leave without your shipment. Aside from costing you a “dry run” fee, this may also result in delays to your final delivery schedule.

Tip #3: Consider delivery, not just pickup

Creating efficiencies in your shipment pickup processes is an important part of ensuring fast movement of your LTL freight. But are you remembering to be efficient in your LTL delivery processes as well? Make sure you understand any limitations of the delivery location — such as any liftgate requirements or limited-access concerns — and relay them to the carrier at the time you request a quote. Forgetting to include this information may also delay your delivery and result in re-delivery fees and other accessorial charges.

Ready to learn more ways you can save time and money on your LTL freight shipping? Unishippers helps business like yours optimize their shipping processes for success. Contact us today to learn how we can help you save.