by Scott Frederick | Nov 26, 2024 | News
As you look to 2025, now may be a good time for shippers to conduct an RFP (Request for Proposal) for their transportation needs, especially as the market has stabilized compared to the disruptions of the past few years. Here are a few reasons why it might be advantageous:
- Market Stability: The transportation market has become more stable, which can lead to more predictable freight rates and better carrier performance.
- Capacity Availability: January is traditionally a slow month for freight, making it a good time to send out bids as capacity tends to be more available.
- Strategic Planning: Conducting an RFP allows shippers to align their transportation strategies with their business goals for the upcoming year.
However, to find the best transportation and logistics solutions partner, preparing for the RFP process is important. You must understand your current challenges and cost structures, set clear goals, and ensure you have the necessary technology and resources.
Are you considering conducting an RFP soon? If so, what specific goals are you hoping to achieve?
Conducting a transportation and logistics RFP involves several steps to ensure you find the best partners and rates for your needs. Here’s a general guide to help you through the process:
- Define Your Objectives: Determine what you want to achieve with the RFP (e.g., cost reduction, improved service levels, increased capacity).
- Gather Data: Collect data on your current transportation needs, including commodity or product information, shipment volumes, lanes, service requirements, and historical costs. Additional data points like freight dimensions, freight classification, and accessorial service needs might also be helpful and will lead to greater rate accuracy.
- Develop the RFP Document: Include detailed information about your company, your transportation needs, and the criteria for selecting partners. Specify the format and deadline for responses.
- Identify Potential Partners: Research and list potential logistics partners that meet your requirements. Consider factors such as service capabilities, reputation, flexibility, technology, and financial stability.
- Distribute the RFP: Send the RFP to the selected companies and provide a clear timeline for responses.
- Evaluate Responses: Review the proposals based on your criteria, such as cost, service levels, and capabilities. Use a scoring system to compare the responses objectively. In many cases, it may make sense to interview finalists to ensure there is a good “culture fit” between your organization and the potential partner’s organization.
- Negotiate Terms: Engage in negotiations with your top candidates to refine terms and conditions. Focus on achieving a balance between cost and service quality.
- Select Your Partner(s): Choose the partners that best meet your needs based on the evaluation and negotiation process.
- Implement and Monitor: Finalize contracts and implement the new transportation or logistics arrangements. Continuously monitor performance and maintain open communication to ensure service levels are met.
- Review and Adjust: Periodically review the performance of your partner(s) and make adjustments as needed to optimize your transportation strategy.
Are you ready to conduct an RFP? Logistics Plus is a solutions-oriented transportation and logistics provider with a solid reputation for adding value and helping companies be successful.
Contact Logistics Plus if you’d like us to participate in any upcoming RFPs for transportation or logistics solutions.
by logisticsplus | Feb 1, 2024 | News
Logistics Plus Recognizes Six LTL Carriers for 2023 Awards
Dayton Freight, Pitt Ohio, Ward Transport, RIST Transport, Estes Express, and Lake Erie Trucking all receive honors.
ERIE, PA (February 1, 2024) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a global leader in transportation, logistics, and unique supply chain solutions, is recognizing six less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers for superior performance in 2023 as part of its annual scorecard review. The 2023 award receipts are as follows:
Dayton Freight: Diamond Award. It’s the eighth consecutive year Dayton has been honored.- Pitt Ohio: Titanium Award. It’s the first time that Pitt Ohio has received an award.
- Ward Transport & Logistics: Platinum Award. It’s the sixth time in seven years Ward has been honored.
- RIST Transport: Gold Award. It’s the third consecutive year RIST has been honored.
- Estes Express: Silver Award. It’s the sixth consecutive year Estes has been honored.
- Lake Erie Trucking: Bronze Award. It’s the first time that Lake Erie Trucking has received an award.
The Logistics Plus manages nearly a quarter million freight shipments annually as a recognized top freight brokerage firm. LP delivers services through Logistics Plus proprietary eShipPlus™ and MyLogisticsPlus™ transportation management systems – online TMS platforms with built-in MyFreightTrends™ business intelligence dashboards. LP offers shippers truckload, expedited, international freight forwarding, claims management, freight audit & payment, business intelligence, plus many other supply chain solutions.
Logistics Plus works with over 50 carriers to deliver LTL services in this concentrated transportation segment. Annual LTL carrier awards are based on an assessment of the following performance criteria:
- Share of business volume and freight spend
- Service, claims, and billing performance
- Price competitiveness
- Customer service
- Account representation and partnership
- Sustainability and other intangibles
“In this, the eighth year of our annual LTL awards program, we proudly recognize six of our top partners for being the best-of-the-best among our pool of reputable carriers,” said Scott Frederick, CMO and LTL Carrier Relations for Logistics Plus. “It was a difficult and competitive year, but Dayton, Pitt, Ward, RIST, Estes, and LET provided the best overall performance across most of our partnership ratings. I am especially proud of our two new, first-time award winners, Pitt Ohio and Lake Erie Trucking. Congratulations to all.”
About Logistics Plus, Inc.
Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP) is a 21st-century logistics company and a leading worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions. LP works in the background to help businesses manage their supply chains in an ever-changing world. Founded in 1996, today LP has annual global sales of over $500M with more than 1,000 employees located in 50+ countries worldwide. LP is recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, a top 3PL provider, a top 100 logistics company, a top freight brokerage and warehousing provider, and a great place to work. 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.
by logisticsplus | Nov 1, 2023 | News
U.S. Holiday schedules for Logistics Plus and ground carriers
As the year-end holidays approach, we want to help you avoid unnecessary shipping delays over the next several 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 transportation needs or expedited shipping requests, please get in touch with Logistics Plus before the office closings noted below. You can contact our North American Division (NAD) by calling 1.866.335.7623 or emailing nadops@logisticsplus.com.
***Click the image below to enlarge it.***
Do you have any last-minute questions or concerns? Let us know how we can help!
by logisticsplus | Jul 25, 2023 | News
The Freight Classification Development Council (FCDC) has discussed new amendments to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®). These new NMFC changes are effective 08/05/2023.
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 1 – Athletic Goods Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 2 – Games or Toys Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 3 – Paper
- Drugs or Medicines, NOI – Item 58770
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 5 – Railings, NOI – Item 35255
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 6 – Adhesives Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 7 – Office or Store Equipment Group and Stationery Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 8 – Roof Gutters, Eavestroughs or Downspouts, or Fittings therefor
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 9 – Blackboards, Chalkboards, Corkboards, Tackboards, Whiteboards, Dry Erase Boards or Markerboards
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 10 – Fruit Juice Powders or Crystals; Juice, fruit or vegetable, including Juice Concentrates, Juice Beverages or Juice Drinks; or Preparations, beverage, NOI
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 11 – Polish, Polishing Compounds or Polishing Wax
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 12 – Caps and Covers Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 13 – Devices or Converters, catalytic, internal combustion engine exhaust system – Item 57170
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 14 – Covers, automobile hood, radiator, spring, steering wheel, tire, top or seat – Items 18460 and 184625 – Pallets Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 16 – Fibers
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 17 – Tampons, Pads or Sanitary Napkins, feminine hygiene
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 18 – Grain Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 19 – Graphite Articles, NOI – Item 89935
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 20 – Cookware Group
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 21 – Sprinkler Heads
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 22 – Fuel Cans, Containers, Dispensers or Tanks – Items 40215 and 40217
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 23 – Charcoal, Charcoal Briquettes or Charcoal Pellets, including Carbon Briquettes – Items 40570, 42445 and 42450
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 24 – Gums, natural
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 25 – Pumice Stone Bricks or Blocks, or Pumice Stone, including Lava Rocks – Items 162910 and 162920
- Docket 2023-2, Subject 26 – Malt Flour, Gluten Meal or Wheat Germ Meal – Items 89610, 89670 and 89770
by logisticsplus | May 3, 2023 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Ranks Among Transport Topics 2023 Top 100 Logistics Companies
Logistics Plus is also named a Top Dry Storage Warehousing Firm and a Top Freight Brokerage Firm.
ERIE, PA (May 3, 2023) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce that it has been named to the annual Transport Topics Top 100 list of North America’s largest logistics companies based on gross revenue for the most recent 12-month period. With domestic sales approaching a half billion dollars, Logistics Plus made the final 100th spot among all third-party logistics providers competing in North America. Logistics Plus also ranked as the 44th largest dry storage warehousing firm and the 61st largest freight brokerage firm.
“With the historic supply chain disruptions of the last few years receding into the past, third-party logistics providers have been adjusting to normalizing freight market conditions while working to build more efficient and resilient supply chains for the future,” said Seth Clevenger, Transport Topics’ managing editor of features. “The Transport Topics Top 100 Logistics Companies list offers an updated look at how the industry’s largest 3PLs are adapting to this shifting business landscape.”
“I always say we punch above our weight class,” said Jim Berlin, Founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “Even though we have the global resources to be recognized among the largest 3PLs, we maintain a flat structure with lean operations that are responsive to our customers’ needs. No customer is too large or small for us. They are all equally important.”
To learn who made the list and read more about the issues facing logistics companies, visit Transport Topics at https://www.ttnews.com/articles/2023-top-logistics-highlights-growth.
Last month, Logistics Plus was named a Top 100 Logistics IT Provider for 2023 by Inbound Logistics magazine.
About Transport Topics
Since 1935, Transport Topics (TT) has been the news leader in trucking and freight transportation. When it comes to major issues, industry events, and new developments, TT journalists get the story first and get it right, keeping readers informed about all aspects of the trucking industry and helping them stay ready for what’s to come. Explore the latest at https://www.ttnews.com.
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. Jim Berlin founded the company nearly 26 years ago in Erie, PA. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly regarded, fast-growing, and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With its trademark Passion For Excellence™, Logistics Plus employees put the ‘plus’ in logistics by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things that ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices, warehouses, and agents located in Erie, PA; Aurora, CO; Buffalo, NY; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Chino, CA; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Colton, CA; Dallas, TX; Dayton, NJ; Des Moines, IA; Fontana, CA; Haslet TX; Honolulu, HI; Houston, TX; Jamestown, NY; Laredo, TX; Lexington, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Meadville, PA; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Norfolk, VA; Olean, NY; Phoenix, AZ; Riverside, CA; San Francisco, CA; Tulsa, OK; Vancouver, WA; Australia; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Malaysia; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; Taiwan; Thailand; Turkey; UAE; Uganda; Ukraine; and Vietnam; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
CMO & LTL Carrier Relations
Logistics Plus, Inc.
(814) 240-6881
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
Click the image below to download the Logistics Plus logo:
