by logisticsplus | Nov 10, 2016 | News
What’s your most pressing logistics challenge? How much time and money are you spending on logistics? Are you measuring the total cost of your freight management activities? Through a “prepaid-and-add” approach, are your vendors charging you more for shipping than you realize for your purchased (inbound) goods? In addition to outbound and inbound freight charges, are you considering order preparation time, time-to-quote, personnel costs, owned-assets versus outsourced assets, inventory carrying costs, loss and damage claims, and insurance costs?
While these questions are not always easily answered, asking them is fundamental to successful P&L management. Outsourcing some or all of your transportation to a logistics company – one like Logistics Plus, which provides the required expertise, people, capacity, warehousing and IT systems – may help convert some of those high fixed costs into reduced variable costs.
Logistics Plus Inc. is a leading worldwide provider of transportation and logistics solutions. We have 20 years of experience helping companies, both large and small, reduce transportation expenses and improve their supply chains. General Electric (GE), one of the largest and most successful companies in the world, was our very first customer. Today they top a list of diverse companies that span manufacturing, retail, solar, energy, aviation, food and beverage, and many other industries.
We’ve been named one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country by Inc. magazine; we’ve been recognized as a top employer based in northwestern Pennsylvania; Transport Topics magazine named us a top 50 freight brokerage firm; SupplyChainBrain magazine named us a 2015 Great Supply Chain Partner; and this year Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine recognized us on their SDCE 100 list for completing a top supply chain project.
If our services are good for companies like GE, we think there’s a good chance they’ll be good for your company too; which is why we we invite you to learn more about our solutions. But what really sets us apart is our people. We’ve developed a reputation as being the “can-do” company. Our people put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure your satisfaction and success.
As a possible first step, tell the experts here at Logistics Plus your most pressing logistics challenge, and we’ll use our passion for excellence to go to work and design a solution that’s customized for you and your business.
by logisticsplus | Jul 12, 2016 | News
According to the 2016 State of Third-Party Logistics Study by Capgemini, the chart shown here presents some of the top logistics challenges facing shippers today. Not surprisingly, a majority of the study’s respondents indicated “cutting transportation cost” as a top challenge. Beyond that, many respondents identified less obvious pain-points, but important considerations nonetheless. As the study indicates, shippers are demanding greater innovation and technology advances while simultaneously remaining cost-conscious.
Outsourcing all or a portion of your transportation to a third-party logistics (3PL) company – like Logistics Plus – is one way shippers are addressing many of these challenges. 3PLs can often provide the required expertise, people, capacity, warehousing and IT systems needed to help shippers reduce transportation expenses, improve supply chain visibility, manage inventory more effectively, and achieve regulatory compliance.
If your business is facing any of these challenges, Logistics Plus can help.
Cutting Transportation Cost
With 20 years of expertise, and a $135 million client-portfolio, Logistics Plus is able to leverage its size, strength and experience to secure highly discounted rates for ground, air, ocean, and rail transportation services. Since we are viewed as a reliable, large-sized shipper ourselves, the rates we secure are often better than what small or medium shippers would be able to secure on their own; and with a letter of authorization, we can even help large shippers negotiate the best rates on their behalf.
Business Process Improvement
With our 4PL or managed transportation solutions, we work as an extension of your team to identify the weakest links in your supply chain, and then we help you repair them. From planning and strategy to services and options – we’ll help you streamline your supply chain so that you can focus on what you do best – manufacture and sell great products.
Improved Customer Service and Supply Chain Visibility
Our technology solutions, like eShipPlus and eWorldPlus, provide visibility to your products both domestically and internationally. Greater visibility leads to a more predicable experience and improved customer service. Our caring professionals will also ‘go-to-bat’ for you when problems occur to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your customers.
Managing Inventory
We manage and operate dozens of warehousing facilities around the world. In the United States, we have West Coast, Southwest, Midwest and Northeast facilities with the capacity and expertise to manage both industrial and retail inventories (including Fulfillment By Amazon). Our WMS technology provides complete visibility throughout the entire process. You only source the space you need, the time you need it, and where you need it – nothing more.
Retaining and Training Labor and Reducing Labor Costs
As an extension to your team, we provide the skilled and trained logistics specialists you need – and we scale them according to your demand. That keeps your labor costs low and your headcount variable for when you need it most.
Expanding/Selling to New Markets and Expanding/Sourcing from New Markets
With 400+ employees working in 20 different countries around the world (and additional agents in virtually every country), we have the local knowledge and expertise you need to import, export, and transact globally. On the sourcing side, we can help you with services such as purchasing, expediting and inventory management. We can identify the product, negotiate the price, purchase it, ship it and deliver it to your door: truly one-stop shopping!
Regulations, Security, Other Compliance
Our full-service compliance department can quickly identify your needs, contain costs, and minimize your risk. Our customs specialists help you comply with existing government regulations and stay ahead of changing customs compliance laws to reduce your risk, eliminate errors, and lower your costs.
Vendor Management
Reducing inbound shipping costs is one of the easiest, yet most overlooked ways to reduce your overall transportation spend. Vendors applying a “prepaid-and-add” approach to your purchase orders may be costing you more money than you realize for inbound transportation. Logistics Plus can help you take control of your inbound orders by creating updated routing requests and shipping instructions, monitoring carrier compliance, and then consolidating and auditing all of your freight invoices.
Technology Strategy and Implementation
Our transportation and cargo management platforms are easy-to-use and can be fully integrated with your back office systems. EDI, API, or web services – our technology professionals will be able to recommend the right strategy and implementation plan for your situation.
So what’s YOUR logistics challenge? We want to know. Just click the button below and tell us your most pressing transportation or logistics challenge. Our talented and caring professionals will work with you to provide a customized solution that addresses the logistics challenges that YOU are facing today.
by logisticsplus | Mar 15, 2016 | News
As depicted in the circle image of the Logistics Plus (LP) logo, we have the experience and expertise to help shippers move their goods by any transportation mode, including GROUND, AIR, OCEAN, or RAIL. How did we acquire these capabilities? It all started twenty years ago with our first customer, GE Transportation (GET), a division of General Electric – one of the largest companies in the world. Back then, LP was GET’s lead logistics provider helping them move their products and parts across the country and around the world. Twenty years later, we’re still managing shipments across all transportation modes, but today we’re doing it for more than 2,000 customers and in dozens of countries around the world!
Ground Freight Transportation
Our domestic ground freight transportation capabilities have enabled us to be recognized by Transport Topics magazine as a 2015 Top 50 freight brokerage firm in North America. Our non-asset ground services include complete less-than-truckload (LTL) capabilities with all of the top carriers in the country, and a full-range of truckload solutions using our network of thousands of national, regional and specialized freight carriers. Additionally, with our National Truckload (NTL) division, we offer select clients the option for a dedicated fleet of trucks and equipment. When it comes to North American ground transportation, our carriers, services and rates are among the best in the industry.
Air Freight Transportation
For air freight transportation, we can handle both domestic and import/export shipment types. We have developed relationships with all of the major air freight carriers allowing us to negotiate the best combination of service, price, and speed on behalf of our customers. Our services include airport-to-airport, door-to-door, and even air charters. We are also a certified IATA cargo agent in both the U.S. and Mexico, meaning we get exclusive access to the top air freight and cargo carriers in the industry. When customers ship internationally with Logistics Plus, they can also tap our full-service Customs Broker Solutions division to help them with all aspects of global trade compliance.
Ocean Freight Transportation
Similar to air freight, our ocean freight transportation services are available for both domestic (i.e., AK, HI, PR, USVI, and Guam) and import/export shipments. As a Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), we have long-standing relationships with ocean carriers which allow us to obtain competitive rates for our customers and frequent sailings to and from all major ports of call. We can handle both full-container-load (FCL) and less-than-container-load (LCL) ocean shipments. For international shipments, our customs broker solutions staff is there to help with duties, tariffs, and all other clearance details. For imports, our remote location filing (RLF) status with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows us to clear shipments at any and all U.S. ports of entry.
Rail Freight Transportation
If you’re looking to reduce your transportation costs, rail and intermodal freight transportation are often good options. Not only can we help you manage your rail logistics, we can also help you arrange the necessary drayage services to get your shipments to and from the rail yards. Because of our skills in this area, some of our customers have even asked us to provide dedicated, rail freight logistics management solutions for them (see our Hero BX case study for a great example).
Project Freight Solutions
Sometimes our customers have very unique or complex logistics projects that require a “multi-mode” approach to transportation. In these cases, the Logistics Plus Project Cargo division is ready to assist. Your logistics project will be customized for your situation—from a comprehensive, pre-shipment evaluation of potential risks, costs and delivery schedules, to route and port surveys, coordination of proper packaging of components, required documentation handling, and transportation mode analysis. Even if your cargo is oversized or heavy lift, our project cargo specialists can manage it all. Over the years, we’ve transported locomotives to Indonesia; imported solar modules into the U.S.; shipped wind turbines to Finland; hauled tugboats to Kuwait; and much more! In many cases, these shipments all required use of ground, air, ocean, and rail freight transportation – all modes we know how to manage.
If you’d like to request a free quote on your next ROAD, AIR, OCEAN, RAIL, or PROJECT FREIGHT shipment, simply click the button below to get started. We’re ready to help you with your single-mode or multi-mode transportation needs.
by logisticsplus | Mar 10, 2016 | News
Import and export financing is much different, for example, than commercial lending, mortgage lending or insurance. There is a longer order-to-delivery cycle on products that are sold and shipped overseas, therefore, it takes longer to get paid. Extra time and energy are required to make sure that buyers are reliable and creditworthy. Careful financial management can mean the difference between profit and loss on each transaction.
All sellers want to get paid as quickly as possible, while buyers usually prefer to delay payment, at least until they have received and resold the goods. This is true in domestic as well as international markets. Increasing globalization has created intense competition for imports and exports. Importers and exporters are looking for any competitive advantage that would help them to increase their sales. Flexible payment terms has become a fundamental part of any sales package.
- Selling on open account, which may be best from a sales standpoint, places all of the risk with the seller. The seller ships and turns over title of the product on a promise to pay from the buyer.
- Cash-in-advance terms place all of the risk with the buyer as they send payment on a commitment that the product will be shipped on time and it will work as promised.
To address these trade financing risks, there are two broad categories of trade finance:
- Pre-shipment financing to produce or purchase the material and labor necessary to fulfill the sales order.
- Post-shipment financing to generate immediate cash while offering payment terms to buyers.
Here are some additional thoughts to consider:
Financing can make the sale. Favorable payment terms make a product more competitive. If the competition offers better terms and has a similar product, a sale can be lost. In other cases, the exporter may need financing to produce the goods or to finance other aspects of a sale, such as promotion and selling costs, engineering modifications and shipping costs. Various financing sources are available to exporters, depending on the specifics of the transaction and the exporter’s overall financing needs.
Financing costs will vary. The costs of borrowing, including interest rates, insurance and fees will vary. The total cost and its effect on the price of the product and profit from the transaction should be well understood before a pro forma invoice is submitted to the buyer.
Financing costs increase with the length of terms. Different methods of financing are available for short, medium, and long terms. Exporters need to be fully aware of financing limitations so that they secure the right solution with the most favorable terms for seller and buyer.
The greater the risks, the greater the cost. The creditworthiness of the buyer directly affects the probability of payment to an exporter, but it is not the only factor of concern to a potential lender. The political and economic stability of the buyer’s country are taken into consideration.
So where can you turn for import and export financing solutions that help address these concerns?
Logistics Plus (LP), in strategic partnership with WorldBusiness Capital Inc. (WBC), provides a complete, logistics and financing solution for both U.S. and foreign companies. WBC is a commercial finance company that offers flexible term loans helping small and midsize businesses compete in the global marketplace. Our motto is “financing business across borders,” and the programs available include all of the following:
- Emerging Market Projects. Term loans for businesses and projects throughout Latin America, Asia, E. Europe, and Africa.
- U.S. Equipment Exports. Term loans for overseas buyers of new U.S.-made equipment, technology, and services.
- U.S. Trade Capacity Expansion. Term loans for U.S.-based commercial and industrial projects boosting trade competitiveness.
- Foreign Investment in U.S. Term loans for acquisitions, operations, joint ventures, and distribution in the U.S.
- Foreign Sales to U.S. Term loans for U.S. purchases of new foreign-made equipment, technology, and services – with specialized solutions for India-U.S., Mexico-U.S., and Turkey-U.S. transactions.
by Scott Frederick | Feb 25, 2016 | News
Companies of all sizes are increasing their use of outsourced logistics services as they seek greater efficiency in their supply chains. Here is a 3PL checklist to help you find the best third party logistics partner for your situation. 3PLs bring valuable benefits to companies in a number of ways:
- Reducing transportation costs. 3PLs often have scale and leverage advantages that allow them to negotiate and access better rates than shippers can do on their own. They can also eliminate unwanted administrative costs by efficiently finding and securing capacity, monitoring and auditing carrier and rate compliance, and executing optimal mode selection (all of this often with the aid of specialized technology).
- Improving customer satisfaction. 3PLs can support customer satisfaction improvement goals by helping with accurate order fulfillment, improving on-time pickups and deliveries, providing greater shipment visibility, and reducing losses and damages.
- Providing global expertise. 3PLs can help businesses navigate the more complex aspects of importing and exporting by providing documentation, customs brokerage, duty optimization, and freight forwarding solutions. This can help companies introduce their products to new markets or source lower-cost materials for production.
- Reducing supply chain risk. 3PLs can help mitigate risks by ensuring companies are using licensed and safe transportation carriers, providing logistics talent acquisition expertise, and staying abreast of special governmental and environmental rules and regulations.
With the above benefits in mind, here is a very simple 3PL checklist you may want to consider when evaluating your partner options:
Credibility?
- Is your potential partner financially stable with a long history of successful operations? Do they have reputable customers from whom they have received testimonials? Have they won any significant awards or recognition?
Assets or Non-Asset?
- Do they manage their own truck fleet or assets? Do they provide non-asset brokerage solutions? Do they have dedicated warehousing and do they manage warehousing using any of their own staff?
Domestic Operations?
- Are they able to manage all transportation modes, including LTL, truckload, expedited, rail, air, and ocean services? Do they have adequate staff with sufficient expertise to manage all aspects of domestic transportation? Can they provide dedicated staff and resources for a complete managed transportation solution?
Global Capabilities?
- Do they have global staff located around the world? Are they able to manage all aspects of imports and exports? Can they manage all international transportation modes, including ocean, air, ground, and rail? Can they manage complex project cargo from start until finish? Do they provide customs broker solutions and can they assist with global trade compliance?
Leading Technology?
- Do they have a capable transportation management system (TMS)? Do they have international freight forwarding track and trace capabilities? Do they have a warehouse management system (WMS)? Can their technology solutions be integrated into your back-office systems?
Ancillary Services?
- What additional services can they bring to your company? Can they help with things like global sourcing, specialized warehousing, linguistic solutions, cargo insurance, and financing options?
Cultural Fit?
- Do they have a customer service-oriented culture? Do they have a mission statement or mantra that resonates with you? Are they proud of, and do they showcase, their people? Do they have a history of successes and “going to bat” for their customers?
Hopefully this gives you a good starting checklist if you are, or will soon be, evaluating 3PL partners. Obviously, we feel very confident that Logistics Plus has the credibility, capabilities, and cultural fit that works well for most companies and industries. If you’d like to engage us in your evaluation process, request for quote (RFQ), or request for proposal (RFP) – or if you simply want to talk – just let us know. We’re here to help and we’re ready to do so.
Looking for more outside reading on this subject? Check out his article from SuppyChain247.com
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