The Logistics Plus Saudi Arabia team recently arranged the transport of 80 tons of boiler tubes from Germany to Jeddah airport on a door-to-door basis. The client is one of the largest independent, family-owned group of companies in the Gulf region with business activities across the world. They are a renowned name in the Middle East for power and industrial projects. In this particular situation, the destination was a government-owned power plant.
This project proved to be urgent as the power plant couldn’t properly operate without the boiler tubes. The initial plan was to charter a flight, but due to Covid-19, it became difficult to secure the necessary landing permits. The Saudi Arabia team decided it was best to split the cargo between two lots in SV freighter planes. After carefully planning the freighters to Jeddah airport, the Saudi Arabia team also managed the trucking from the airport to the power plant. Much to the client’s satisfaction, the Logistics Plus team successfully delivered the boiler tubes without any additional delays.
Logistics Plus Dammam Managing Director Nizam Mohammad said, “A lot of hard work went into this project. Despite being limited to Covid-19 challenges, our team managed to find a solution for this urgent problem.” He went on to say, “For the LP Saudi Arabia team, this was a major achievement. Our client was extremely delighted.”
Logistics Plus Recognizes 2020 LTL Carriers of the Year
Ward Transport & Logistics, Dayton Freight, XPO Logistics, and Estes Express all receive honors.
ERIE, PA (March 2, 2021) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, recently recognized four of its less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier-partners for superior performance in 2020. The annual awards were presented to the following carriers in each of two categories:
Ward Transport & Logistics and Dayton Freight were named Regional LTL Carriers of the Year. It is the third time in the past four years that Ward has earned the honors and the fifth consecutive year for Dayton Freight. RIST Transport, AAA Cooper, and Pitt Ohio were all noted as runners-up for the category.
XPO Logistics and Estes Express were named the National LTL Carriers of the Year. It is the first year that XPO has been recognized, and the third consecutive year Estes has earned the honor. FedEx Freight and ABF were noted as runners-up for the category.
Logistics Plus manages hundreds of thousand LTL shipments annually as a top North American freight brokerage firm. It delivers LTL services through its proprietary eShipPlus™ transportation management system (TMS) – an online platform made available to all LTL customers and select freight agents (now with MyFreightTrends™ business intelligence dashboards). Logistics Plus also offers shippers truckload, expedited, international freight forwarding, claims management, freight audit & payment, business intelligence, and many other supply chain solutions.
Logistics Plus works with most of the top LTL carriers in the industry. Its annual LTL carrier awards are based on an assessment of the following performance criteria:
Share of Business & Growth
Service Performance & Billing Accuracy
Price Competitiveness
Customer Service & Support
Account Representation & Partnership
“2020 was a challenging year for shippers, 3PLs, and carriers,” said Scott Frederick, vice president of marketing and LTL carrier relations for Logistics Plus. “We value all of our carrier-partners and picking to best-of-the-best each year is always difficult. Despite operational and rate challenges brought on by the pandemic, Ward, Dayton, XPO, and Estes all provided the best overall performance across most aspects of our partnership ratings.”
Logistics Plus is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2021. LTL freight management was the very first service the company offered in 1996. Last year, the company surpassed over one million LTL freight shipments successfully delivered through its North American Division (NAD). Based in Erie, PA, NAD is staffed by a group of talented and caring professionals annually recognized by Transport Topics as a top freight brokerage firm.
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. is a 21st-century logistics company that provides freight transportation, Warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. The company was founded 25 years ago in Erie, PA, by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly regarded, fast-growing, and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices, warehouses, and agents located in Erie, PA; Akron, OH; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Chino, CA; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Des Moines, IA; Detroit, MI; Fort Worth, TX; Haslet TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Lexington, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Melbourne, FL; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Olean, NY; San Francisco, CA; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Ukraine; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
There’s an article we saw posted last week on the Global Trade magazine website entitled “What Makes a Good Logistics Provider?” written by Chris Hale, the Founder & CEO of Kountable, Inc. Mr. Hale’s company operates a platform that vets trade service providers, constructs deals and manages trade execution for a large volume of trades into challenging markets. As result, his firm has learned by necessity to identify the hallmarks of high-quality logistics providers and to note the red flags that signal ineffective ones. These are the qualities they look for in logistics partners they recommend to their clients, along with some comments about how Logistics Plus is an example of a logistics partner who has those same traits.
Experienced – A wave of brand-new companies have sprung up looking to fill the demand created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Always work with logistics companies that have been in operation for a number of years. Not only does this show that the company has a history of success, but experienced logistics providers will have a better understanding of local regulations and possible sticking points.
Logistics Plus will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We were “born from the ribs” of GE Transportation as a lead logistics company. We have enjoyed growth every year, and today we have over 500 employees and over $300 million in global sales.
Good Customer Service Team – A professional, knowledgeable and robust customer service team will not only facilitate clear communication but is a sign of a quality company. Clear and effective communication from logistics providers also saves traders time and energy building and executing trades.
Logistics Plus humbly prides itself on providing award-winning customer service. In recent years, our services have been recognized as best-in-class by distinguished industry resources, such as Global Trade, SupplyChainBrain, Multichannel Merchant, Transport Topics, and others. Although we have transformed into a technology company as much as we are a logistics provider, it is still the quality of our people and the support they provide that sets us apart.
Responsive – It is important that logistics providers respond to messages quickly and are proactive in providing updates. When goods arrive at the right place on time, this should be communicated quickly. When communication is slow and sporadic, it is often the case that the company is unorganized, or goods are not where they are supposed to be.
Logistics Plus maintains a very flat, nimble, and responsive organizational structure. This allows us to be very responsive to our customers’ needs. Every employee is provided a company-issued mobile phone and we make it known that our customers expect 24/7/365 service to ensure their goods are delivered on-time. Our technology supports responsive communications by providing proactive tracking reports, weather impact dashboards, and other business intelligence that allow our employees and customers to more effectively manage their supply chains.
Diligent – The logistics of international trade are complicated. Attention to detail is necessary as goods change hands and pass-through ports. A diligent company will have the correct documentation for the goods and communicate effectively with the necessary parties, avoiding tax penalties, delays, and confusion that cut into revenue.
Logistics Plus is a global company with employees and offices in over 30 countries around the world. As a prominent international freight forwarder, we manage hundreds of thousands of import and export shipments around the world. We know diligence is important, which is why we also have a full-service customs brokerage and global trade compliance team to help keep us and our customers on pace with the changing rules of global trade.
Registered with Appropriate Government Agencies – Logistics providers must be registered with the necessary agencies to do business in the jurisdictions in which they operate, such as the local revenue authorities. It is important to confirm that the company is registered to conduct business in the countries where the goods are to be picked up and delivered, and anywhere they may land in between.
Logistics Plus maintains transparent certifications and compliance with all domestic and international agencies. Additionally, we are participating in many governmental programs focused on security and sustainability, such as CTPAT and SmartWay.
Global Presence – A global presence is both useful and a sign of a reputable logistics provider. However, many logistics providers do not operate globally. Minimally, the company you choose should operate in the countries relevant to the transaction. Established companies with a large presence are often more experienced, and may be able to offer additional services, or deal with complications more quickly and easily than smaller operations.
Logistics Plus has a network of people and resources that touch over 30 countries worldwide, and we have additional contacts and connections in many other countries. Whether it is standard freight forwarding cargo or big heavy-lift project cargo, we have engineers and logicians around the world making it happen.
In addition to the comments noted above, check out the “What it means to be A 21st Century Logistics Company” article we posted last week which includes additional traits shippers should expect from contemporary logistics providers.
Check out the Global Trade magazine website at www.globaltrademag.com for other good articles on global trade and logistics. Global Trade has named Logistics Plus a Top 50 3PL the past two years and there is an active Logistics Plus Profile in the Global Trade “Find a Partner” online directory.
The Commodity Classifications Standards Board (CCSB) has published a new supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). These changes became effective 04/10/2021. Some notable changes are listed below.
Subjects 2 and 3 – Foodstuffs Group – Bakery Goods, Coffee, Tea or Herbal Tea, Cookies or Crackers, Foodstuffs, NOI, Snack Foods, NOI: These items were canceled and replaced with Item 73260 which is an 11-tiered density item. Canceled Items 72040, 72042, 72043, 72270, 72271, 72560, 72561, 72680, 72681, 73270, 74800.
– “Breads, Rolls and Cake” were removed from 73227 and moved into the new Item 73260.
Subject 5 – Chemicals Group Item 42600: Numerous changes to this group that are too complex to re-state here. Basically, items were revised into three class Tiers based upon Packing Groups I, II or III. Statements also added identifying Items that are not required to bear a Hazard Class or Hazard Division label.
Subject 7 – Stairs or Stairways, Ramps – Item 178160: Revised from a two-tiered class/density item to two sub-groups based on the Greatest dimension exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches. Each sub-group has three class/density tiers.
Subject 15 – Glass, flat, bent or not bent NOI – Item 86700 nad Glass , silvered for Mirrors – Item 86900: Revised from two subgroups, three-tiered class/density item based on Greatest Dimension exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches to two subgroups based on Greatest dimension exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches. Each sub-group has seven class/density tiers. Item 86900 is canceled and moved into Item 86700.
Subject 16 – Item 235 – Specifications for Bundles, Coils, Reels, or Rolls: Item amended to ensure that products or items so tendered will withstand the normal rigors of LTL transportation.
Subject 17 – Item 270 – Definition or Specifications for Skids, other than Lift Truck: Item amended to ensure that products or items so tendered will withstand the normal rigors of LTL transportation.
Subject 24 – Item 82285 Sneeze Guards or Food Shields: Revised from a two tiered Item based on Greatest Dimensions exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches to two subgroups based on Greatest Dimensions exceeding or not exceeding 96 inches with four class/ density tiers in each sub group.
Subject 25: References to open head and closed head drums or pails in the Items below are updated.
– Rules 257, 258, 260, 296
– Packages 600 and 2467
Subject 36: This subject cancels 55 obsolete Classification Items
Subject 37: This subject cancels four obsolete classification Items.
Subject 38: This subject cancels and removes references to 25 numbered packages.
Subject 39: This subject cancels and removes references to 16 numbered packages.
Subject 40 – Item 149942 Note on Nickel-Silver Wire Item 140940: This note 140942 applied to shipments of less than 30,000 lbs. It is canceled.
Last week we posted an article titled “What it means to be A 21st Century Logistics Company.” In that article, we included some example traits of what you can expect when you work with a 21st-century logistics provider like Logistics Plus. If you didn’t have a chance to read the article – no worries, here’s a short video that contains some of the highlighted items included in the article.
After years of negotiation and uncertainty, we are officially in the post-Brexit era. To preserve their mutually beneficial trading relationship, the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) reached a deal that went into place on January 1, 2021. While the agreement is beneficial for both parties, questions remain about its impact on the logistics and transportation industry. The new regulations at the border are already causing major blocks and delays.
Traders must consider the rules of origin. These complex rules apply to goods that qualify for preferential trade terms under the agreement.
All imports and exports are subject to customs formalities. Trading in both the UK and EU means complying with two different tax and legal systems.
Companies are facing higher logistics costs. Trucking companies are reluctant to cross the border resulting in less capacity and higher surcharges.
All imports into the EU must meet new standards and will be subject to regulatory checks and controls for safety, health, and other public policy purposes.
Traders are obliged to change their delivery terms with their suppliers and customers from DDP to DAP to avoid complex customs procedures.
Some traders face cash flow issues as import Value Added Tax (VAT) is payable when entering the European Union.
As a result of the new regulations, the Logistics Plus Europe team has noticed that many traders are not fully prepared for this transition. Increased potential for delays means that you need to have tight control over every aspect of your supply chain. Once you have full visibility of your supply chain, you can begin to plan and break down how the post-Brexit era changes things on an operational level.
At Logistics Plus, we understand the impact of these new regulations and how they affect customers and their transport flows. Our European team operates distribution centers in the UK and in the Netherlands that offer full customs brokerage services and regular trucking transfers between the two countries. We have a wide variety of services to help our customers optimize and facilitate European and UK VAT requirements. Additionally, Logistics Plus offers Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR) services that our customers can count on for a non-disrupted supply chain.
If you need assistance navigating the post-Brexit logistics era, please contact our team of logistics experts today.
The Logistics Plus Saudi Arabia team recently arranged the transport of 80 tons of boiler tubes from Germany to Jeddah airport on a door-to-door basis. The client is one of the largest independent, family-owned group of companies in the Gulf region with business activities across the world. They are a renowned name in the Middle East for power and industrial projects. In this particular situation, the destination was a government-owned power plant.
ERIE, PA (March 2, 2021) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, recently recognized four of its less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier-partners for superior performance in 2020. The annual awards were presented to the following carriers in each of two categories:
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After years of negotiation and uncertainty, we are officially in the post-Brexit era. To preserve their mutually beneficial trading relationship, the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) reached a deal that went into place on January 1, 2021. While the agreement is beneficial for both parties, questions remain about its impact on the logistics and transportation industry. The new regulations at the border are already causing major blocks and delays.