The LTL is a ground shipping service that combines cargo from different clients in the same vehicle. It is a recommended option when the demand for products remains stable or the number of boxes or packages is not enough to occupy an entire truck.
LTL truck freight tracking is the ideal alternative for small companies since they share transportation costs with other companies; that is, it is cheaper since it pays based on the quantity of merchandise and the duration of the trip.
In the same way, for a medium or large-sized industry, it is the ideal option to consolidate into a single collection of merchandise whose destinations are in different parts of the republic. This helps to have efficiencies, therefore savings in finished product inventories and speeding up the time to market.
Main advantages:
Reduced costs Shippers only pay for the space their cargo takes on the vehicle when transporting LTL freight.
- Storage expenses are reduced
Because it is a general economic service, companies can constantly dispatch their products, saving on inventory costs, particularly storage-related.
- Minimize costs on smaller shipments
Traditionally, the lowest rates are reserved for companies that can fill a full truckload. Still, thanks to the fact that the LTL truck freight tracking allows sharing expenses between several companies, its costs are very affordable. With this modality, you only pay by weight and space in the truck.
- Increased security:LTL shipments must be palletized before being loaded on the truck. This ensures the journey is safer since palletized goods tend to be more compact and protected.
- Lower carbon footprint:LTL loads share the space of the same truck with other loads, reducing carbon emissions.
- Availability of tail lifts:tail lifts are platforms that are added to the truck’s rear to facilitate the loading and unloading goods. This equipment is often more available for LTL freight shipments than FTL shipments.
How to make an efficient LTL shipment?
To answer the question, we recommend taking into account some aspects, below the main ones:
- Find a qualified logistics operator. You will save on costs on shipping times, and you will gain efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Find the best rates. An operator with national coverage, hundreds of destinations, and international services, among others, will offer you the best rates. With this, you will avoid combining carriers and the discrepancy of rates.
- Follow up with technology. Logistics operators have platforms that allow 24/7 monitoring of their merchandise; with them, you will know in real-time where they are and when they are delivered.
- Plan ahead. Never leave all the processes in your supply chain to chance.
LTL is just one alternative among the many options freight forwarding companies offer, as they have a service for every need.
When to choose an LTL consolidated freight shipment
LTL freight shipments are typically the best choice when the following criteria are met:
- The weight is less than 6,800 kg (15,000 pounds)
- The shipment does not require more than ten pallets
- Products are not particularly sensitive to their immediate environment or the passing of time.
- If the shipment weighs less than 68 kg, you might want to think about sending it as a package.
LTL freight shipments are typically less expensive, making them an excellent option for shippers trying to cut expenses or simplify their logistics.
Conclusion
It should be noted that LTL shipments generally cover several destinations; however, most logistics operators have pre-established times, deliveries the next day, and permanently track their trucks.