State of Logistics: June 1, 2020

Coronavirus by the Numbers Total Cases United States - 1.83 Million+Worldwide - 6.2 Million+ Deaths United States - 106,000+Worldwide - 372,000+ Financial Trouble with the Shipping Lines Some of the largest shipping lines in the world have struggled greatly since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis. The shipping and logistics industry has taken a hit during this time, as have many industries, due to reduced shipping activity and less shipping demand. Many shipping operators

Patrick O'Loughlin Jun 1

State of Logistics: May 15, 2020

Coronavirus by the Numbers United States 1.47 Million confirmed casesOver 87,000 deathsOver 256,000 recovered Worldwide 4.48 Million confirmed casesOver 304,000 deathsOver 1.61 Million recovered Economic Effects According to the Commerce Department, retail sales (includes purchases at stores, restaurants, and online) are down 16.4% in April from the previous month. It is the steepest month to month drop since 1992.The Federal Reserve said industrial production dropped 11.2%

Patrick O'Loughlin May 15

How to be a Shipper of Choice on a Budget

I am sure the most important question that any business that ships products asks is how can I make the job of the people picking up at my warehouse easier? Said no shipper ever…. However the companies that are actually “answering” this question are not only saving money in shipping products, they are also making their shipping procedures a competitive advantage over their competitors. Being attractive to carriers makes you a Shipper of Choice. The phrase “Shipper of Choice” is

Andrew Faith May 12

State of Logistics: May 1,2020

Coronavirus Numbers Worldwide cases reach 3.25 million peopleWorldwide death toll at 233,000 peopleUnited States cases over 1 million people United States death toll over 63,000 people Italy and Spain combined death toll is over 52,000 people Over the last two weeks, the amount of global cases has increased from 2.1 million to a total of 3.25 million. About 1 million of those cases are in the United States, up from 670,000 two weeks ago. The feeling in the United States seems to be

Patrick O'Loughlin May 1

State of Logistics: April 17, 2020

The Coronavirus has had a massive impact on the World. It has affected people, families, economies, and the movement and availability of goods. Sporting events have also been cancelled in droves, which has been a big hit for people in the United States and around the world, including myself. Companies such as Amazon have seen their operations changed around the world while other companies find a way to help those in need. The Important Stuff Over 670,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus

Patrick O'Loughlin Apr 17

State of Logistics: March 27, 2020

We are in some extraordinary times. The Coronavirus will be what is remembered about 2020 when this year is talked about in the future. Not just the Coronavirus itself, but also the effects of the Coronavirus will have on business, politics, and the day to day lives of the world’s population.  Takeaways  China is getting closer to normal but may still not be able to get back to normal due to worldwide standstill to lock downCases in the United States, Italy, and Spain

Patrick O'Loughlin Mar 27

5 Mistakes You Are Making on LTL Shipping

You are not providing the correct shipping informationYou are not quoting with multiple LTL CarriersYou are not considering accessorialsYou are not securing your freight properlyYou are not using a TMS If you ship palletized freight, you are probably making some simple mistakes which affect the effectiveness of your supply chain. Utilizing Less than Truckload Shipping, known as LTL, is a industry worth tens of billions of dollars in the United States. While it is only a small fraction of

Patrick O'Loughlin Mar 11

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and How it Affects Global Supply Chains

The Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has begun to infiltrate different parts of the world far from the origin in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Instead of trying to explain its chemical composition and other scientific aspects, here I will explain some of its impact on the world of global shipping and supply chains. I will do this by discussing the interruption of manufacturing, the effect on shipping operators, and a potential inventory crisis.  Coronavirus has Affected

Patrick O'Loughlin Mar 4

What is a Transportation Management System (TMS) and Why Should You Use One?

Whether you ship as part of a large company with a vast network, a medium sized company that ships to different parts of the country, or a small business that ships moderately, a TMS can help you stay organized while helping you make better shipping decisions so your dollar can go further.   In this post, we will define what a TMS is, we will give you a few reasons why you should use one, and how to get started with a TMS today. What is a TMS? A TMS is a specialized

Patrick O'Loughlin Feb 18

3 Simple Ways to Maximize your LTL Freight Shipping

What is LTL? First, let’s define what LTL is. LTL stands for Less than Truckload shipments that typically weigh between 150 and 15,000 pounds. Typically, an LTL shipment will be palletized and will contain anywhere from 1-7 pallets. If your company is involved in e-commerce, wholesale, or manufacturing, chances are your products are shipped via LTL or a mix of LTL, FTL (Full Truckload), or Parcel. Depending on the quantity of each shipment, LTL can be the best way for your goods to be

Andrew Faith Feb 14