by logisticsplus | Dec 1, 2016 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Acquires DoorLogistics™ Door-to-Door Intermodal Solution
New platform, developed by SynchroNet Intermodal Services, provides enhanced container visibility, pricing, and support capabilities.
ERIE, Pa. (December 1, 2016) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, announced today that it has acquired the DoorLogistics™ service of Virginia Beach, Virginia-based SynchroNet Intermodal Services, Inc. The purchase, which includes RateNow™ web-based optimization software, provides Logistics Plus and its customers with enhanced intermodal container visibility, more competitive pricing, and new operational support capabilities.
As a new addition to the Logistics Plus suite of technology-supported logistics solutions, DoorLogistics services will be offered primarily to third-party wholesale customers, such as brokers and freight forwarders. The bundled solution includes standard intermodal container (20’, 40’, and 45’) door-to-door pricing with operational and customer support services. This includes container tracking visibility, dedicated capacity, competitive pricing, and extensive power availability. DoorLogistics advanced automated systems manage all operational activities, including intermodal equipment reservations, document transmission, drayage, and rail line-haul. The embedded RateNow feature enables instant and optimized spot quotes for all single origin or destination door moves by checking more than 7 million tariff rates and 10 billion routing options to obtain the best rate possible.
“DoorLogistics provides Logistics Plus and our customers with a progressive technology that automates the quoting and scheduling of intermodal freight services,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “The technology, working in tandem with the experienced DoorLogistics operational staff, support the Logistics Plus approach of providing quick, responsive, and dedicated transportation services across all modes of shipping.”
The dedicated DoorLogistics Support Team located in Naperville, IL
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur, Jim Berlin, 20 years ago, Logistics Plus is a fast-growing and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a strong passion for excellence, its 400+ employees put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Alma, AR; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; San Francisco, CA; Visalia, CA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Charlotte, NC; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Madison, WI; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; South Sudan; Turkey; UAE; and Uganda; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
About SynchroNet Intermodal Services, Inc.
SynchroNet Intermodal Services, Inc. (SIS) offers a real-time container logistics network that automates the matching of container supply / demand via its Ramp-to-Ramp service. Additionally, SIS provides match-back capabilities through its North American Domestic Interchange Service™ (NADIS™) and international street-turn services.
Through a secure, scalable and reliable web portal, SIS transforms proprietary customer data into value information and services used to optimize maritime (ISO) container utilization nationally, regionally and locally. SIS services various segments of the container ISO community including shipping lines, shippers, leasing companies, 3PLs, NVOCCs and IMCs. SIS’ focuses on container cost-saving and revenue generating services.
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Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
Vice President, Marketing
Logistics Plus Inc.
(814) 240-6881
[email protected]
Click image below to download the Logistics Plus logo:
by logisticsplus | Nov 29, 2016 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Successfully Completes C-TPAT Membership Revalidation
Customs Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT) status confirmed for another three years
ERIE, Pa. (November 29, 2016) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce its C-TPAT status has been maintained by meeting all of the required revalidation criteria examined as part of a recent U.S. Customs Border and Protection (CBP) audit. C-TPAT is a program implemented by CBP to strengthen international supply chains and to improve the U.S. border protection and security.
To become a certified C-TPAT member, a security profile that summarizes the procedures of securing the supply chain must be submitted. The Logistic Plus security profile was originally submitted and approved by CBP in 2003, and the company has remained a certified member ever since. Members must undergo a revalidation process every three years, and Logistics Plus continues to meet all of the necessary criteria, including:
- Supply Chain Security Risk Assessment
- Business Partner Requirements
- Container / Conveyance / Transport Security
- Procedural Security
- Physical Security
- Physical Access Controls
- Security Training and Threat Awareness
- Personnel Security
- Information Technology Security
“We are very proud of our revalidation results and being a member of this important partnership,” said Adam Mook, compliance manager for Logistics Plus. “As a global operating company, we see it as our duty to comply with international security guidelines to protect our customers and their supply chains against risks and peril.”
For additional details, please visit www.logisticsplus.com/certifications.
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur, Jim Berlin, 20 years ago, Logistics Plus is a fast-growing and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a strong passion for excellence, its 400+ employees put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
Vice President, Marketing
Logistics Plus Inc.
(814) 240-6881
[email protected]
Click image below to download the Logistics Plus logo:
by logisticsplus | Nov 17, 2016 | News
Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus, recently had the pleasure of participating in the following “I Care” video produced by the Erie Downtown Partnership. Jim has been caring about Erie and the local community for many years. In 2015, the Erie Downtown Partnership began constructing the framework of a new Downtown Master Plan. This major initiative is now poised to bolster continued development throughout the Downtown district and help aid economic growth and revitalization endeavors well into the future. The future of Erie starts downtown. Visit www.icareforerie.com for plan details. You can watch the “I Care” video below.
I CARE. Care About Revitalizing Erie. from Erie Downtown Partnership on Vimeo.
by logisticsplus | Nov 17, 2016 | News
U.S. Holiday schedules for Logistics Plus and ground carriers
As the holidays approach, we want to help you avoid any unnecessary shipping delays over the next few weeks. Shown below is the holiday schedule for U.S.-based Logistics Plus offices and warehouse locations, as well as the top U.S. ground (parcel and LTL) carriers. If you have any special transportation needs, or expedited shipping requests, please contact Logistics Plus in advance of the office closings noted below. You can use the Logistics Plus online global directory to find any of our people or our locations. You can also reach our North American freight division by calling 1.866.335.7623 or emailing us at [email protected].
Click image to see a slightly larger version of table.
by logisticsplus | Nov 16, 2016 | News
Wondering whether your domestic freight shipment should move via parcel, less-than-truckload (LTL), or full-truckload (FTL) carrier? Here’s a quick cheat-sheet with some PROs and CONs to each of these ground transportation modes.
Parcel Shipping: Shipments under 150 pounds and shipped in cartons (less than 108 inches long and 67 inches wide), rather than on a pallet, are often moved via Parcel shipping with carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx or regional courier services.
- PROS: Fast service, many delivery options, readily available, lower shipping costs on smaller shipments.
- CONS: More chance of being lost or damaged, lower carrier liability limits per pound, few carrier options.
- Standard Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipping: Shipments between 150 and 5,000 pounds are generally better moved using standard LTL carrier pricing with LTL carriers such as FedEx Freight, UPS Freight, YRC Freight, or regional freight carriers.
- PROS: Relatively fast service, good availability, fewer damages, good with B2B deliveries, higher carrier liability limits pound.
- CONS: Complex pricing structure, higher shipping costs, not always suitable for non-palletized freight, not always great with B2C deliveries, minimal carrier options.
Volume Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipping: Shipments between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds, or taking up more than 6 pallet spaces, are often moved more cost-effectively with a “volume” or “spot” quote. In these situations, the carrier will analyze the weight and dimensions of the shipment and provide a competitive “all-in” rate quote.
- PROS: All of the above, plus this approach will generally produce a lower price than standard LTL shipping rates.
- CONS: Often predicated on when or where LTL carrier has equipment available and need for more freight volume, getting quotes takes more time.
Partial Truckload Shipping: Shipments between 10,000 and 20,000 pounds, or taking up more than 10 pallet spaces, are often moved more cost-effectively as a partial truckload. In these situations, the truckload carrier will analyze the weight and dimensions of the shipment and provide a competitive “all-in” rate quote.
- PROS: Generally produces a lower pricing than standard or volume LTL shipping rates, since shipment only takes up part of the trailer, carrier can sell remaining capacity to another customer to share the costs, many more carrier options.
- CONS: Finding right carrier with capacity is often difficult, predicated on when or where carrier has equipment available, getting quotes takes more time, must vet carrier to ensure safe and reliable.
Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping: Shipments over 20,000 pounds are often moved more cost-effectively as a full truckload. In these situations, the carrier will analyze the weight and dimensions of the shipment and provide a competitive “all-in” rate quote.
- PROS: Generally the most cost-effective way to ship per pound, less susceptible to damages because freight is normally moved door-to-door on one trailer (no re-handlings), many more carrier options.
- CONS: Finding right carrier with capacity is often difficult, predicated on when or where carrier has equipment available, getting quotes take more time, must vet carrier to ensure safe and reliable.
Need help deciding how best to ship your freight the most using the most cost-effective ground transportation mode? Let Logistics Plus help you with a risk-free freight analysis or freight quote.
by logisticsplus | Nov 15, 2016 | News
Here are a few quick, cost-saving tips for importing and exporting from the international air, international ocean, and project cargo freight forwarding experts at Logistics Plus:
Importing Tips:
- Take the time to confirm your HTS codes before importing. U.S. Customs’ system of classification can be very complicated, and the HTS codes advised by suppliers are not always accurate or match the U.S. classification system 100%. A full cost for imported goods can only be known with the correct HTS codes.
- Keep potential exams in mind when thinking about the transit time, for ocean shipments particularly. An exam can take a week or more, and could be caused by any importer on an LCL consolidation, or a container could be simply selected at random. If goods are time-sensitive, air shipping part or all of the order could save money in the long run.
- Be sure your broker or import forwarder is made aware of all ocean imports well in advance of departure from overseas. An Importer Security Filing (ISF) must be filed timely! Liquidated damages for ISF start at $5,000 for failure to file an ISF, $5,000 for late ISF, $5,000 for inaccurate ISF, $5,000 for an incomplete ISF, and $5,000 for failure to withdraw an ISF. The maximum liquidated damages per ISF filing is $10,000.
Exporting Tips:
- Know your Incoterms®. Incoterms can be a frustrating and confusing to understand; however many exporters do not fully understand the terms to which they are agreeing and, therefore, end up paying more or running into unexpected fees. As an exporter, you need to understand the costs, responsibilities, rights, and obligations that accompany the use of a specific Incoterm. Every quotation or sales order must include a term of sale. If you fail to clearly identify the specific Incoterm to your customer, it can lead to an overestimation or underestimation of the costs associated with the goods you are selling (and a lost sale).
- Research the area to which you are selling. Selling to a new area requires you to keep an open mind. Knowing the market you will be putting your product into can alleviate a lot of the stress with exporting. What currency do they use? What is the local tax or VAT (value-added tax) system? What is the business culture, and/or local culture? When are their holidays or weekends observed?
- Do your paperwork. Know that each country has its own set of importing regulations that require different licenses and customs paperwork. Some countries will require certain stamping, legalizations, or original documents, while others simply accept copies. These vary from country to country, region to region, and with specific commodities.
Most Important Tip:
- Work with an experienced and reputable freight forwarder. An international freight forwarder acts as an agent on your behalf and assists in moving your shipment from its U.S. origin to its foreign destination. Capable freight forwarders are familiar with the import rules and regulations of foreign countries, U.S. import and export regulations, methods of shipping, and required documentation. They can assist you in preparing pricing quotations by providing freight costs, port charges, documentation fees, insurance costs, and handling fees. They can also recommend packaging methods and transportation modes that will best protect your products during transport and ensure they arrive when and where you need them.
Ready to take us up on tip #7? If yes, then click the button below to get started.
