Expedited shipping certainly isn’t new, but its scope has grown with the frequency of global supply chain disruptions in an “I want it now” era.
“Supply chain disruptions are any kind of event or issue that puts a wrench in the movement of your goods or services,” a Forbes article said. “They can be a disaster for the business that experiences them, but also for the customers, shareholders, suppliers, or any others who have a stake in the company.”
Whether it’s in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, or e-commerce, shippers must navigate significant challenges when the need for expedited freight moves arises.
The High Stakes of Expedited Freight
Expedited shipping references often include information on express mail and parcel delivery. But the process of overnighting a document is far different than arranging an emergency shipment of a piece of equipment to prevent a factory from shutting down. The stakes are high, and expedited freight shipments require careful planning and flawless execution.
The Balancing Act of Cost and Speed
Expedited freight can be significantly more expensive than standard dry van shipping, often requiring shippers to absorb high fees to meet tight deadlines. The pressure to justify these costs within industries that already have narrow profit margins can exacerbate the financial challenge. Shippers often must justify that the cost of expedited freight is worth the potential risk of lost sales or halted production.
In manufacturing, for example, the cost of expedited shipping can be fairly easily justified as the price of unplanned equipment downtime in a manufacturing or assembly plant has been pegged at a whopping $125,000 an hour.
Supply chain disruptions happen – and they will continue to happen. Shippers should have an expedited transportation provider at the ready.
“Supply chain risk management is more than simply protecting a company or its executives from unknown or unforeseen disruptions,” Supply Chain Management Review said. “It enables both the enhancement and improvement of the resiliency and efficiency of the supply chain. As global supply chains become more integrated and increasingly complex, robust, effective risk management is paramount.”
Shippers should have a provider of expedited services on speed dial – before they have an emergency need. When shippers team with a trusted and proven transportation provider, they find the benefit of expedited delivery far outweighs the cost. And the seamless execution of expedited freight moves can demonstrate a logistics provider can serve as a partner for all of a shipper’s needs, whether the freight needs to be delivered as soon as possible, next week, or next month.
“Customers are more likely to trust and recommend a business that values their time and provides efficient delivery options. A positive brand image can increase customer loyalty and attract new customers to the company,” an Inbound Logistics article said.
Managing Tight Budgets with Expensive Freight Options
Shippers are challenged by the need for fast deliveries with limited transportation budgets, especially during peak seasons or high-demand periods. Companies may have to prioritize only the most urgent shipments due to the high cost, often leaving noncritical goods stuck in a warehouse. Working with a logistics provider that handles all of a company’s transportation needs can assure shippers they are not being gouged on expedited moves.
Accuracy and Quality Under Pressure in Expedited Freight
The very nature of expedited shipping prioritizes speed, but the pressure to move quickly can lead to errors. Mishandled or misrouted cargo can be a common issue, especially when shipping high-value or sensitive goods like healthcare products, perishables, or electronics. These errors are costly and can cause major disruptions to the supply chain. Shippers should work with logistics providers that move fast – without costly missteps.
Special Handling for Temperature-Sensitive Freight
For reefer shipments and other temperature-sensitive cargo, maintaining strict environmental controls while ensuring rapid delivery is a major logistical hurdle. Precise temperature control is a challenge on its own but becomes even more difficult when speed is the priority. Shippers have enough to worry about. They should leave the temperature monitoring of freight to trusted logistics partners.
Visibility and Transparency Gaps
Many shippers struggle with real-time visibility of their freight. A lack of transparency can lead to delays and inefficiencies, as shippers and logistics providers are unable to track or respond to issues promptly. This is particularly problematic in expedited freight, with tight timelines leaving little room for error or delay. Logistics companies handling expedited freight must be able to provide real-time visibility as urgent shipments make their way to their destination.
Technological Limitations in Visibility
Not all companies have access to advanced tracking systems that allow for real-time monitoring, leaving critical gaps in the visibility of shipments. Many shipments are especially vulnerable to these challenges due to inconsistent technology integration across different regions. Shippers should make sure logistics providers have the advanced technology required for the efficient delivery of their expedited freight.
Capacity Constraints and Peak Season Challenges
Capacity shortages in expedited freight can leave shippers in a lurch. Finding capacity on short notice, particularly during peak seasons or in high-demand lanes, can be a significant challenge. The problem worsens during industry-specific surges, such as retail’s peak season or product launches. Shippers should make sure their logistics providers have a full, vetted roster of capable carriers ready to handle all their shipping needs.
Dependence on Carrier Availability
Shippers are often dependent on the availability of carriers, which can fluctuate and is particularly limited during high-demand periods. Securing capacity can require shippers to pay high premiums or compromise on service, jeopardizing the timely delivery of their shipments. Risks are minimized when shippers work with logistics companies that have secured reliable carriers.
Managing Unexpected Supply Chain Disruptions
Expedited shipping is often used to handle last-minute changes, such as unexpected supply chain breakdowns or urgent manufacturing needs. Those disruptions also can be caused by weather, infrastructure blockages, and work stoppages.
Chris Netram, the managing vice president of policy for the National Association of Manufacturers, told CNBC in the days leading up to the Sept. 30 expiration of the International Longshoremen’s Association’s contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance that a strike at ports on the East and Gulf coasts “would deal an immediate blow to the manufacturing supply chain.”
“A work stoppage at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports would upend logistics for U.S. businesses and hinder the movement of goods upon which millions of Americans depend. Costs will rise and manufacturing jobs will be lost if parts and supplies don’t arrive on time,” Netram said.
Contingency Planning for Expedited Shipments
Shippers should have contingency plans in place to react quickly to disruptions – or have a trusted logistics partner they can trust to efficiently handle expedited shipments.
“No matter how much work you put in, your business infrastructure is vulnerable somewhere, and a natural disaster, global pandemic, or political uprising can poke holes in your supply chain. That’s why strong relationships are so important; you can put your finger in the hole to stop the leak, but eventually, you’ll run out of metaphorical fingers,” the Forbes article said.
Cross-Border Challenges in Expedited Freight
Cross-border movements add another layer of complexity for expedited freight as shippers must navigate customs and documentation requirements – and do it fast. Delays at borders due to mismanaged paperwork or regulatory issues can significantly impact critical delivery timelines.
Managing Documentation and Compliance Across Borders
Ensuring that the proper customs documentation is prepared and verified for expedited shipments is a time-consuming task, and any error can lead to delays. Shippers must comply with both domestic and international regulations, making cross-border shipments particularly challenging. The list of documents needed to haul freight across the Mexican border into the United States, for example, is long and includes a bill of lading, commercial invoice, carrier information, certificate of origin, and U.S. customs declaration.
Border Crossing Delays and Unforeseen Holdups
Border crossings often face bottlenecks, especially in high-traffic areas or during peak periods. This creates additional uncertainty for expedited shipments when every minute counts. It is vital to carefully plan and monitor cross-border transits and work with experienced logistics providers that can streamline the process.
Expedited Freight Strategies for Shippers
RJ Logistics has a facility in Laredo, Texas, to provide expert customer support in both English and Spanish. Our team has extensive cross-border experience and comprehensive knowledge of customs processes and uses that expertise to get freight across the U.S.-Mexico border as quickly as possible.
Our expedited services ensure all shipments, foreign and domestic, are handled with speed, efficiency, and care. We work with our shipping partners to develop their supply chain strategies for handling expedited freight – and then we deliver. We utilize the tools and resources needed to get the job done perfectly, from pickup to delivery. In addition, a dedicated account manager keeps shippers updated throughout the entire shipping process.
At RJ Logistics, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, we’re available 24/7/365 to respond to urgent transportation needs and communicate effectively; utilize real-time tracking systems to provide visibility and assurance during transit; and demonstrate our expertise and quick decision-making skills in managing expedited shipments.
We are able to serve shippers so effectively for all their shipping needs because we carefully build carrier partnerships through a detailed vetting process focused on compliance, risk mitigation, safety, flawless execution, equipment, and technology standards.
Shippers Trust RJ Logistics With Their Expedited Freight
At RJ Logistics, we are experts at managing expedited freight services for urgent transportation needs. We use advanced technology and real-time data integration to enhance our rapid response capabilities.
Through strategic partnerships, our service options include flatbed, Conestoga, cargo van, and dry van. No matter whether your freight is expedited, truckload, or flatbed, RJ Logistics has you covered and delivers positive experiences for our customers, partners, and community through actions guided by our core values and principles.
Schedule a call with RJ Logistics today.
