by vanessahuber | Jul 18, 2025 | News
Brian Russel, Project Manager & DELTA Team at Logistics Plus, was featured on the Business Spotlight program, produced in partnership with WPSE Money Radio. Business Spotlight is a monthly 30-minute program that airs regionally and streams globally.
In this month’s Logistics Plus segment, Brian highlights the unique origins, projects, and future of the DELTA team, sharing valuable insights on achieving success in the logistics industry.
You can listen to a replay of the interview on the Logistics Plus Podcasts page or by clicking below on our LP Radio channel on Spotify.
by vanessahuber | Jul 17, 2025 | News
The Logistics Plus (LP) China team recently completed a complex shipment involving a 7300CBM SANY’s Crawler Crane to Benghazi, Libya. This shipment was crucial for a port construction project that could not begin until the crane was received. This large-scale operation demanded planning, precision, and seamless execution.
- The entire port was cleared of all vessels to prioritize the shipment’s arrival
- The vessel was granted immediate berthing upon arrival
- Unloading operations began the same day as arrival, ensuring minimal delays
The project was handled with exceptional coordination and treated as a top priority, showcasing the team’s capability to manage high-stakes logistics with care and efficiency.
Photos of the project are available below.
by vanessahuber | Jul 15, 2025 | News
Logistics Plus was featured in a recent ‘Success Story’ by Zebra Technologies, a technology and intelligent hardware company with which Logistics Plus has been collaborating since 2011. The success story, titled “Logistics Plus Eliminate Mispicks, Speeds up Order Fulfillment and Empowers Teams”, highlights the integration of Zebra’s solutions into the modernization of the Logistics Plus warehousing and fulfillment processes, enabling it to keep pace with industry demands.
The integration of Zebra’s technology into the comprehensive warehousing solutions offered by Logistics Plus enables the streamlining of the order receiving process, resulting in smoother and more accurate shipments, transformed operations, and a reinforcement of the commitment to excellence in logistics.
This Success Story outlines:
- The Transportation and Logistics Challenge
- The Solution provided by Zebra’s technology in conjunction with Logistics Plus
- The Outcomes and Benefits from the Collaboration
The whole Success Story can be found at https://www.zebra.com/us/en/resource-library/success-stories/logistics-plus-eliminates-mispicks-speeds-up-order-fulfillment-and-empowers-teams-with-zebra.html or by clicking the image below.
About Zebra
Zebra is a global leader in enterprise asset intelligence, providing innovative solutions that offer organizations real-time visibility into their operations. With a portfolio that includes mobile computing, barcode scanning, RFID, and automation technologies, Zebra empowers businesses across industries to improve productivity, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
by vanessahuber | Jul 15, 2025 | News
Shippers, take note: major freight classification changes from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) go into effect this weekend, July 19–20, 2025. These updates to the National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC) system are designed to emphasize freight density further and will significantly impact how LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments are rated, quoted, and invoiced.
What’s Changing?
Historically, LTL freight classifications have been based on a combination of four factors: density, stowability, handling, and liability. But over the past few years, the NMFTA has been transitioning many product classes to a pure density-based structure. This latest round of changes is one of the largest yet.
- Nearly 2,000 NMFC items are being revised or consolidated
- Many classes are being reassigned based on actual freight density
- Items previously exempt from density-based classification may now require dimensional verification
Why Density Matters More Than Ever
Density—the weight of your shipment divided by its volume—is becoming the primary determinant of freight classification. It directly affects how efficiently freight can be loaded and transported in LTL carrier networks. Higher-density freight occupies less space and is easier to handle, resulting in lower class ratings and more favorable rates. On the other hand, low-density or bulky freight gets rated higher, resulting in increased shipping costs.
LTL carriers rely on accurate density data to:
- Maximize trailer utilization
- Provide fair and competitive pricing
- Minimize reclassification and dispute delays
How to Prepare
To avoid surprises or reclass charges, shippers should:
- Review updated NMFC listings from the NMFTA or through Logistics Plus.
- Recalculate freight density for all impacted SKUs or shipments.
- Train shipping teams on how to properly measure and document freight.
- Use dimensional scanners or freight measuring tools where available.
- Review and optimize packaging to remove as much “airspace” as possible so that shipments are dense and compact.
How to Calculate Freight Density
Here’s a quick guide to get your density right:
- Measure dimensions of your palletized freight in inches (Length × Width × Height).
- Multiply to get cubic inches, then divide by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet.
- Divide the total weight (in pounds) by the cubic feet result.
- Result = Freight Density (lbs/ft³)
Example:
- Pallet size = 48”L × 40”W × 50”H = 96,000 cubic inches
- 96,000 ÷ 1,728 = 55.56 cubic feet
- 600 ÷ 55.56 = 10.8 lbs/ft³
Tip 1: If you are shipping a commodity with a freight classification based on its density, refer to the NMFC density tables to find the correct class for your calculated density, or ask your Logistics Plus logistics specialist to assist.
Tip 2: If you quote and ship using Logistics Plus eShipPlus™ TMS or MyLogisticsPlus™ portal, your shipment density will automatically be displayed once you enter your pieces, weight, and dimensions.
Logistics Plus is here to help!
If you’re unsure how these changes affect you or if you want help reclassifying your freight, request a risk-free NMFC freight class impact analysis or a general freight savings analysis from our LTL experts. We’ll review your shipments, provide accurate class guidance, and ensure you’re prepared for the NMFTA updates.
Contact us today with any questions or to learn more about our services.
by vanessahuber | Jul 11, 2025 | News
In the world of logistics, Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping plays a crucial role for businesses that need to move smaller freight without the expense of booking an entire truck. However, when choosing LTL shipping services, companies often face a decision: should they opt for standard or guaranteed LTL shipping? Let’s explore the differences in cost, speed, and reliability between these two options.
What is LTL Shipping?
LTL shipping is a method where multiple shipments, typically ranging from one to six pallets, are consolidated into a single truck. This approach is cost-effective for businesses that do not need a full truckload, as they only pay for the space their shipment occupies.
Standard LTL vs. Guaranteed LTL
Standard LTL shipping typically offers lower rates, making it a cost-effective option for businesses seeking to minimize shipping expenses. Since standard LTL shipments are consolidated with those of others, the cost is distributed among multiple shippers, thereby reducing the overall expense. However, the downside is that delivery schedules can be less predictable, as shipments depend on the consolidation process. On the other hand, guaranteed LTL shipping comes with a premium price. The higher LTL shipping rates are due to the promise of on-time delivery, often within a specific time frame. This option is ideal for businesses with time-sensitive shipments where the cost of delay outweighs the higher shipping rate.
Delivery Time Sensitivity and Reliability
While standard LTL delivery times can vary depending on factors such as the consolidation process, route planning, and unforeseen delays, including those caused by weather or traffic, guaranteed LTL shipments receive heightened attention and priority. Carriers prioritize these shipments and often take proactive steps, such as rerouting or expediting, to ensure on-time delivery. Although even guaranteed shipments can be affected by unforeseen events, the extra effort carriers invest often makes the upgrade worthwhile for critical deliveries. For businesses with flexible timelines, this variability may not pose a significant issue and can be accommodated with standard shipping.
Types of Guaranteed Options
Carriers offer a range of guaranteed delivery options. Most provide end-of-business-day guarantees, while many also offer delivery by noon or early morning. Some even provide guaranteed delivery windows, which are especially useful for shippers delivering to big-box retail distribution centers with strict “must arrive by” dates. Missing these deadlines can result in steep penalties, making the small upcharge for guaranteed LTL a wise investment.
It’s also important to understand what the guarantee actually covers. This varies by carrier: some offer a full refund of the freight bill if the delivery is late, while others only refund the cost of the guarantee itself. Knowing these terms can help businesses assess the true value of the service and avoid surprises if a shipment doesn’t arrive as promised.
Which is the Right Choice for You?
Choosing between standard and guaranteed LTL shipping depends on your specific business needs. If cost is your primary concern and your shipments are not time-sensitive, standard LTL shipping is a practical option. However, if you require a dependable delivery schedule and are willing to pay more, guaranteed LTL shipping may be the way to go. Ultimately, understanding your logistics needs and weighing the cost against speed and reliability will help you make an informed decision.
Logistics Plus LTL Solutions
Seeking a dependable LTL carrier for your upcoming shipment? Logistics Plus has an experienced North American Division (NAD) team that is ready to help. Rate negotiations, pricing agreements, claims management, freight bill auditing – we arrange for it all.
Contact us today for a non-obligation quote or more information.
