Expedite logistics services: What you should be thinking about
Whether you’re responsible for keeping an auto manufacturing plant running, delivering just-in-time inventory to retail customers, or safely moving temperature-sensitive perishables in extreme weather—every second counts.
That’s where expedite logistics services come in. Need to move time-sensitive loads? Here’s what you need to know.
Is expedited freight service worth it?
That depends on your cost-benefit analysis. Expedited shipping solutions will be more expensive, but the higher freight rates may be more than justified when considering the costs of plant downtime, frustrated customers, and product loss.
The benefits to your business may include:
- Faster delivery that helps you meet tight deadlines and boost supply chain efficiency
- Lower warehousing costs by accelerating just-in-time inventory
- Improved customer satisfaction by reliably delivering against on-demand expectations
- Efficient inventory management that protects sales opportunities from stockouts and boosts plant uptime
- Minimized product loss by reducing transit times for at-risk freight, like high-value loads and perishable goods
Common use cases requiring expedite logistics solutions
Trade show gear
Trade show materials, like large scale printed signs and product displays, demand no-fail service. A missed delivery deadline could not only mean unexpected material handling costs—but an empty space in the exhibitor’s hall.
Perishable products
Delicate shipments, like seedlings and fresh berries, require fast, temperature-controlled shipping—especially during extreme weather events. Real-time location and temperature monitoring also help prevent product loss.
Automotive parts
Plant downtime is costly. Lean manufacturers who’ve reduced inventory expenses and streamlined operations could see profitability disappear if they can’t keep cars and trucks rolling off the line. That’s where an 11 pm shipment of end-of-arm tooling pieces is so critical.How much more can shippers expect to pay for expedited loads?
The honest and totally unsatisfying answer is: It depends. The expedited freight market fluctuates wildly. Pickup and delivery location and required equipment are key factors in the freight rate calculus, of course. Other factors include:
- Severe weather events, which tighten capacity when drivers opt to stay off the road; those who are willing to take loads will demand higher rates
- Time of day, as fewer drivers are looking to secure late-night and early-morning loads; an 11 pm pickup will encounter this same supply and demand challenge
- Emergency responses to large-scale disasters quickly tie up local capacity and can draw additional capacity from across the country; meaning local markets can see rising freight rates even when the disaster impact is a thousand miles away
Assessing your expedited logistics partner options
A lot of new freight brokerages flooded the market during the pandemic and while we’re seeing market contraction, there’s still more broker capacity than freight volume. How can you determine which of the many potential partners beating down your door can deliver the service level you require? Be sure to assess each option for compatibility, availability, and visibility.
Compatibility
When you need a load picked up in 30 minutes, a broker that has first-hand experience with the particulars of your freight can move fastest. Ask:- What modes do you handle?
- What commodities do you work with?
- What's your on-time percentage?
Availability
A phone directory has no place in servicing expedited freight, and neither does the lack of dedicated staff. When time is of the essence, a personal relationship with a broker who can anticipate your needs pays big dividends. Ask:- Are you available 24/7/365?
- Will I have a single point of contact?
Visibility
Freight visibility is important when moving any type of freight but even more so when it comes to expedite loads. Make sure you have full transparency so you’re empowered to communicate with your customer and receivers. Ask:- Do you provide real-time freight tracking?
- Will I have access to a customer portal and, if so, what TMS system do you use?
A word of warning: Urgency introduces risk
The benefits of expedited logistics and freight services can help you boost your KPIs, but that added urgency can also make your freight vulnerable to cargo theft.
Today, the freight industry is awash in bad actors.
Tech-savvy crime syndicates are stealing broker and carrier identities, changing legitimate businesses’ USDOT records, and creating false identities to seize and liquidate freight…or hold it for ransom.
And the more quickly a broker needs to move a load, the more likely they are to miss a step that threatens your cargo security.
Mitigate your risk of double brokering
We can’t stress this enough: Working with freight brokers who take this threat seriously is critical. How can you tell? They’ll have invested in industry-leading carrier vetting tools, like Carrier Assure, and they’ll also have a robust SOP. Ask to see it. It should require that they:
- Only work with carriers who’ve been active for a year or more
- Only work with carriers who’ve been inspected by the FMCSA
- Confirm carrier phone numbers and email addresses are valid
- Confirm provided carrier contact information matches the information in their registered authority
- Confirm the MC number on the truck that arrives matches the number they were provided by the carrier
- Verify that the DOT number, MC number, driver’s license, and carrier liability coverage are current before the shipment is loaded
- Require driver contact information
- Require real-time freight tracking
We can help
How? We empower our people with the same leading technologies the big-name freight brokerages use. That means we can efficiently source and vet expedited carriers, negotiate competitive rates, and deliver exceptional transparency—but with a human touch. We call it the McClay’s difference.
Because every second counts—not just the ones you spend at work trying to make your customers happy, but the ones you get back when things are done right the first time. It’s not just about avoiding do-overs; it’s about freeing yourself from the worry that follows you home.
- Highest level of customer service with 24/7/365 availability
- Industry-leading TMS system for anytime access to live freight tracking, temperature monitoring, freight photo documentation, and proof of delivery
- Advanced freight scheduling software
- Robust data and information security technologies and protocols
- Rigorous carrier vetting process
- Deeply experienced team with first-hand product knowledge
- A collaborative approach that helps you boost your operational KPIs
- 97% on-time delivery for expedited freight
Expedited logistics services to handle any challenge
Freight consolidation
Cross-docking
Hot shot transportation
Hand carry
Cross-border moves
Airport pickups
The right equipment for your time-critical freight
Air freight charters
Cargo and sprinter vans
Straight trucks
Temperature-controlled trailers
How do we deliver success?
We’ve built robust systems and repeatable processes that empower us to successfully move expedite loads, no matter how complex.
Our approach:
- Confirm your freight dimensions to identify the right equipment needed to move your load—whether it’s two pallets of auto parts or a large-scale printed display
- Source local carriers through an expedited load board
- Thoroughly vet the closest available carriers against their MC numbers to source safe, reliable partners and avoid double brokering
- Require driver information for direct communication
- Require live freight tracking for full visibility
- Implement monitoring devices for temperature-sensitive freight
- Speak directly to the driver, ensuring they’re familiar with the load requirements and have clarity on the correct pickup and dropoff locations
- Share our user-friendly portal with customers for real-time freight location and trailer temperature
Ready for some peace of mind?
We make getting started easy. Onboard in just 5 minutes, and we’ll have you breathing easy in no time.
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