Every shipper knows the stomach-dropping feeling of getting a client request titled: “Emergency – Urgent!” A downed production line or unforeseen inventory shortage can cause millions of dollars in losses, and pressure is on the shipper to save the day as soon as possible.
The right logistics partner can take the pressure off when it comes to expedited shipping, leveraging their expertise and network to deliver the freight by any means necessary. Joe Ferraro, Business Development Manager and expedited specialist, shares decades of insight into time-sensitive logistics and why expedited shipments are not the place to pinch pennies.
Bespoke Expedited Logistics
Expedited shipments, or “hot shots,” are an ideal solution for shippers who need to make time-definite shipments on tight deadlines. These deadlines could be ASAP delivery dates dictated by emergencies, like broken manufacturing equipment or faulty medical machines in need of immediate repair. Planned moves on a rigid schedule also often must be expedited, like moving art and show booths between back-to-back events across the country. Some shippers with fragile or valuable equipment choose to expedite their freight even if the shipment isn’t time-definite, just because there’s less handling during shipping and fewer opportunities for damage.
Depending on the nature of the shipper’s needs, expedited shipments can be sent via ground or air transportation. Ground expedited shipments are handled on sprinter vans, box trucks, or straight trucks, while air expedited shipments are – you guessed it – done with air cargo or charter planes.
Regardless of the mode, all expedited shipments require fast action, high visibility, and expert handling.
“I always tell customers that using a common carrier (like UPS or FedEx) for expedited moves is like buying a suit off the rack instead of getting something bespoke; it costs less, but the fit will never be perfect,” Joe said. “Shaker’s services are bespoke. We customize everything to meet customer needs and make sure their delivery arrives on time.”
Investing in Quality Expedited Services
When it comes to expedited logistics, the stakes are higher than any regular truckload or small parcel delivery because of the urgent nature of each shipment. For example, construction job site deliveries are often expedited to have materials arrive on the day that crews are contracted to work. If materials arrive damaged or late, it slows down the entire construction process and puts the project at risk. For factories and power plants, a missed delivery deadline can cost thousands of dollars in lost production time.
Losing a client or project because of a service failure is far more costly than opting for a high-value shipping partner over a common carrier. The trade-off in paying lower rates is a degraded service quality and a lack of special attention.
With expedited logistics, you get what you pay for. But what exactly are you paying for? Successful expedited shipments require a detail-oriented team that knows how to hustle. Shippers can expect a reliable logistics partner to offer the following during expedited service:
- High visibility & security. Shaker closely tracks expedited shipments from pickup to delivery, even if that delivery time is past midnight. Logistics specialists provide shippers with real-time track and trace updates throughout the lifecycle of the shipment. Shaker also ensures the safety of your freight by using reliable carriers, agents, and partners that are vetted and proven to handle complex shipping needs.
- VIP treatment. Your freight should never be “just a number.” To get a shipment to its destination on time and in top condition, Shaker prioritizes handling expedited requests as soon as they come in, with close attention to detail.
- Protective equipment. Expedited freight that is fragile, valuable, or specialized requires extra padding and dunnage to avoid damage in transit. We ensure that all the necessary equipment is available ahead of time to avoid delays.
- Specialized services. When every minute counts, Shaker will arrange for specialized services like team drivers or relays to keep freight continuously moving to its destination, and coordinate important aspects of the delivery like permitting, unloading, or last-mile support.
- Project management. Some expedited shipments take more than just a van or a plane. Depending on distance, commodity, and delivery deadlines, one expedited shipment might pass through several hands to make it on time. Shaker’s team oversees all agents and carriers involved in each shipment and manages these relationships for shippers to streamline the process.
Expedited Logistics That Go the Extra Mile
Expedited logistics don’t just solve problems quickly, but they can also help strengthen relationships between shippers and their clients. Don’t leave your relationships up to chance. Reach out to Shaker today for fast, expedited logistics solutions.