by logisticsplus | Mar 9, 2018 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Recognizes 2017 LTL Carriers of the Year
Ward Transport & Logistics and Dayton Freight Jointly Awarded for Superior Performance in 2017
ERIE, PA (March 9, 2018) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, recently recognized two of its less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers – Ward Transport & Logistics and Dayton Freight – for superior results and performance in 2017.
Logistics Plus, a top North American freight brokerage firm, delivers LTL services through its proprietary eShipPlus™ transportation management system (TMS) – an online platform made available to all of its LTL customers and select freight agents. Its annual LTL carrier awards are based on an internal and external assessment of the following performance criteria:
- Annual Share of Business and Growth
- Price Competitiveness
- Service Performance
- Billing Accuracy
- Customer Service
- Account Representation
For 2017, both Ward Transport & Logistics and Dayton Freight had equal overall scores across all performance criteria. As a result, both companies were recently honored as LTL Carriers of the Year by Logistics Plus. This marks the second consecutive year Dayton Freight has received LTL carrier of the year honors from the Logistics Plus staff and its customers, and the first for Ward Transport & Logistics.
“As a global 3PL, Logistics Plus provides a wide variety of diversified solutions; however, LTL freight management was one the company’s first services, and it remains a core offering for us today,” said Scott Frederick, vice president of marketing and LTL carrier relations for Logistics Plus. “Having high-performing LTL carrier partners is critical to our LTL services program. Based on our assessment of 2017 performance, Ward and Dayton both came out on top. I am grateful for the support we receive from all of our LTL carrier partners, but I would especially like to thank and congratulate Ward and Dayton for their excellent service in 2017.”
About Ward Transport & Logistics
In 1931, William W. Ward started the company with 1 truck and 2 employees. Headquartered in Altoona, PA, today Ward Transport & Logistics is four generations deep and has grown to a fleet of 600 trucks handling over 5,000 shipments a day to over 10,000 customers. Ward has grown into the most responsive, reliable transportation network in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic regions, with additional coverage through the Ward Extended Network.
The Logistics Plus LTL operations team presents Steve Clagg, corporate account executive for Ward Transport & Logistics, with a 2017 LTL Carrier of the Year Award.
About Dayton Freight Lines
Founded in 1981, Dayton Freight is a private LTL freight carrier headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. With 54 Service Centers in the Midwest region, Dayton Freight offers shippers 1 or 2 day service to thousands of points throughout a 13 state area. With its Strategic Alliance Network, it can also serve all of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guam.
The Logistics Plus LTL operations team presents Patty Ash, corporate account manager for Dayton Freight, with a 2017 LTL Carrier of the Year Award.
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, 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, 21 years ago, Logistics Plus is a fast-growing and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a strong passion for excellence, its 450+ 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; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Visalia, CA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; Olean, NY; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Winchester, VA; Madison, WI; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Sudan; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
Vice President, Marketing
Logistics Plus Inc.
(814) 240-6881
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
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by Marketing | Jan 24, 2018 | News
What are ELD’s?
For anyone not familiar with the term, ELD is short for electronic logging device. This tool is used to document a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS). Before ELD’s came about, drivers had to manually enter their hours of service into a paper logbook. Although some individuals still utilize this method, ELD’s were created with the intent to be easily accessible, organized and a fast way to track, manage, and share RODS information. The device is able to connect with a truck’s engine, which transfers driving time directly to the ELD, making it easier and accurate for drivers when having to log their hours of service requirements.
The ELD Mandate
About six years ago, in 2012, the U.S. Congress passed the MAP-21 bill, otherwise known as “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century.” This law requires drivers to have an ELD installed in their vehicle, replacing the previous manual logging method. The mandate was put into action in December of 2017, but drivers have until April of 2018 before the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires them (inspectors will issue citations before April 1; after that date, out-of-service orders will be given to truckers that are non-compliant).
Impact on Truck Capacity
The new ELD Mandate has raised issues concerning trucking capacity and much more. Although truck operators have known about this for a while, many have yet to install the electronic tracking device or find an authorized vendor, not to mention it is a lengthy process.
Based on FMCSA guidelines, the HOS rules are as follows:
- Truckers have an 11-hour driving limit (only holds true if the driver has 10 consecutive hours off duty)
- Drivers have a 14-hour absolute driving limit for driving after coming on duty (following 10 consecutive hours of off-duty)
- Drivers must take breaks (may only drive if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of the drivers last off-duty)
- Specification of how many hours a driver may work within an 8-day period
- No more than 60 hours when driving 7 consecutive days in the same period
- No more than 70 hours when driving 8 consecutive days in the same period
- Restarts when the driver takes 34 + hours off duty
These new regulations hold strict limitations on the number of trips and hours drivers can complete in a given time frame. They also have drivers questioning what this means in terms of trucking capacity. Will truck drivers be able to fulfill their daily driving schedule? Will this decrease a carrier’s or operator’s profitability? As truckers are faced with increased costs and limited driving time, how much of these increased costs will be passed on to shippers?
Many media outlets are already reporting significant capacity constraints and rate increases across both the truckload and LTL segments. In fact, some truckload freight may be shifting to LTL in certain lanes as capacity has tightened and as truckload spot-market rates have increased. The TIA’s (Transportation Intermediary Association) data is also showing the impact of rising spot market truckload rates, which grew by double-digits year over year in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Although 3PLs are not immune to rate increases and capacity crunches, they are often in a better position to help customers find affordable solutions through their effective use of technology and their expansive carrier relationships.
There is no doubt that the ELD mandate will cause less trucking capacity, but in the long term, it will increase efficiency and productivity for users who implement it. Since the large fleet operators have implemented ELD’s years ago, they have an advantage over the smaller fleet and independent operators who have delayed ELD implementation. However, Logistics Plus is accomplished in finding the best logistic solutions to a shipper’s needs.
ELDs, new visibility tools, and automated enhancements will continue to change the transportation and logistics industry on every front. As costs are permanently reduced and efficiencies realized, the trucking industry may eventually see a prolonged period of price declines. However, that time horizon is at least a few years away. In the meantime, if you need a trusted logistics partner to help you find affordable truck capacity, Logistics Plus is ready to help.
by logisticsplus | Nov 17, 2017 | 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 nadops@logisticsplus.com.
Need help with any last-minute expedited shipping needs? Let us know!
by logisticsplus | Aug 7, 2017 | News
As a reminder, the recently approved National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) freight classification changes went into effect this weekend (August 5th, 2017). These changes will have far-reaching effects on LTL shipments of certain commodities in the NMFC that are based on density ratings, such as Plastic or Rubber Articles, Expanded, NOI (157320), and others. Previously, most items assigned a class based on density were subject to one of two tables. The so-called 9-tier classification broke down density into 9 sub ratings as follows:
| Sub 1 |
Less than 1 |
400 |
| Sub 2 |
1 but less than 2 |
300 |
| Sub 3 |
2 but less than 4 |
250 |
| Sub 4 |
4 but less than 6 |
150 |
| Sub 5 |
6 but less than 8 |
125 |
| Sub 6 |
8 but less than 10 |
100 |
| Sub 7 |
10 but less than 12 |
92.5 |
| Sub 8 |
12 but less than 15 |
85 |
| Sub 9 |
15 or greater |
70 |
The 11-tier classification contained 11 density breakdowns:
| Sub 1 |
Less than 1 |
400 |
| Sub 2 |
1 but less than 2 |
300 |
| Sub 3 |
2 but less than 4 |
250 |
| Sub 4 |
4 but less than 6 |
150 |
| Sub 5 |
6 but less than 8 |
125 |
| Sub 6 |
8 but less than 10 |
100 |
| Sub 7 |
10 but less than 12 |
92.5 |
| Sub 8 |
12 but less than 15 |
85 |
| Sub 9 |
15 but less than 22.5 |
70 |
| Sub 10 |
22.5 but less than 30 |
65 |
| Sub 11 |
30 or greater |
60 |
Effective August 5th, the 9-tier breakdown will go away and NMFC items subject to it will be replaced by the 11 tier breakdown. This change is actually good news for shippers, as it provides for a lower class for shipments that are very dense, specifically over 22.5 lbs per cubic foot. The other change however is not so favorable. The 11-tier breakdown will change the sub 4 rating for articles that have a density of 4 but less than 6 pounds per cubic foot. Previously this was rated as a class 150, but will now be rated at a class 175:
For shippers whose LTL shipments were previously rated at class 150 based on density and will now be rated at class 175, this represents about a 15% increase in freight rates. For shippers with an FAK rating of 150, this should not change that rating, but items that were previously in the actual class range may now change. For example, if a shipper has a FAK class 100 rating on items with an actual class of 100-150, and they ship Plastic Articles with a density of 4-6 pcf, this shipment will no longer be subject to the FAK class 100 and will instead move at the actual class of 175.
Please contact your Logistics Plus North American Division (NAD) freight representative if you have any questions regarding the new rules.
by Marketing | Jul 19, 2017 | News
Shipping freight may seem like a very complex process due to the number of options available. It’s important to understand the differences between Full Truckload (FTL) shipping and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping because they are two of the most commonly used transportation options within North America. Shippers must consider size, speed, and price when deciding between a FTL versus LTL. Here are the main differences between FTL and LTL shipments to help you decide which shipping method works best for you.
The main differences between FTL and LTL shipments can be broken down into four categories:
Size
The first thing you must take into consideration when shipping freight is the size. The names Full Truckload and Less Than Truckload are self-explanatory and mean exactly what they say. LTL shipments are smaller shipments typically ranging from 100 to 5,000 pounds. These smaller shipments will not fill an entire truck, leaving space for other small shipments. On the other hand, FTL shipments fill most to all of an entire truck and tend to be much larger, often weighing 20,000 pounds or more. Shipments that weigh between approximately 5,000 and 10,000 pounds can sometimes move either LTL or FTL. When such shipments move LTL, they are often referred to as “volume LTL” shipments; and when they move FTL, they are often referred as “partial TL” shipments (read more about Volume LTL and Partial TL here).
Price
Since LTL shipments are smaller and leave room for other shipments, they are cheaper because you will only pay for the space that you use. FTL shipments use most of the entire truck and cost more because you are paying for more space in the truck. The decision between choosing a FTL or LTL is crucial because if you choose the wrong option, you may end up paying for space that you aren’t even using.
Time
If you are pressed on time and need to have something shipped quickly, FTL may be the way to go. Since LTL shipments involve more than just your shipment, they often require multiple stops and transfers before they reach the final destination. Typically, FTL shipments pick up and deliver on the same truck leading to a quicker delivery time.
Handling
Along with how quickly you need a shipment to go out, you must also consider how delicate or high-risk the shipment is. With FTL shipping, your shipment will stay on the same truck and will not be transferred anywhere else. This creates less risk of damaged or missing items when shipping FTL. On the other hand, LTL shipments may switch trucks or be transferred multiple times before delivery, increasing the risk of damaged or missing items.
Choosing the correct shipping method is crucial for saving time and money for your company. If you have LTL or FTL shipping needs, then look no further than Logistics Plus! Contact us today.
