110 million packages a day. That’s FedEx’s prediction for the domestic package market in 2022. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the company didn’t believe volume would rise to that level until 2026. The major contributor to that growth? eCommerce, to the tune of 86%. Of course, all this demand means more logistics, including freight for inventory and supplies. To handle these moving parts—and optimize operations—companies are looking to managed transportation services. Under that umbrella, Logistics as a Service (LaaS) has emerged as a newer solution on the market. eCommerce companies may primarily leverage LaaS solutions around delivery and return flow for finished goods. However, some companies...

In a competitive environment, many businesses search in earnest for anything that can offer them a strategic edge. In these situations, their eyes often turn to their supply chains. Some organizations consider optimizing what they already have. Others, look further afield to ask how supply chain integration strategies can help them gain a stronger foothold in their niche. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the concept of supply chain integration. What is it? And how can your business leverage supply chain integration to get an edge in your marketplace? We’ll start by setting the groundwork with a few definitions. What Is Supply...

A little while ago, we tackled the question, “Why is the supply chain so messed up?” Despite efforts from local officials, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and even President Joe Biden’s administration, there’s still significant congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For our part, we’ve been hearing from a number of shippers looking for drayage solutions to get their containers out of the ports. A few key statistics lay out the current state of affairs: 82% increase in average end-to-end transit time from China to the U.S. Due in large part to port congestion, U.S.–China ocean freight transit time has increased considerably,...

As a business grows, its supply chain operations can get geometrically more complex. If you're only shipping a few loads a week, though, you might not need a transportation management system (TMS). However, if you move a significant number of loads via several different modes from several different origin points, a TMS could be a vital tool to help you plan, execute, and analyze all of your supply chain activities.  Transportation Management System (TMS): A software platform that helps businesses optimize their supply chain activities, specifically around the movement of goods. Both shippers as well as 3PLs may leverage these systems to streamline operations.  If you're considering a transportation management system for your business, we'll walk you through the major benefits. You'll see how other operations leverage...

Considering shipping freight to Puerto Rico? Maybe you’re an entrepreneur or a company entertaining the idea of starting a new business located in Puerto Rico. Or perhaps you’re a freight forwarder looking at entering the Puerto Rico market to attract new customers.  Because of its status as a U.S. territory and, therefore, a Jones Act location, shipping freight to Puerto Rico can generate a number of questions—and misconceptions. Some people think it must be a complicated process. Others believe the transit times are too long. And still others imagine it must be expensive. Still others worry that dealing with the government of Puerto Rico will be a hassle. However, the truth is that shipping to Puerto Rico doesn’t have to be any of these things.  In this...

Created by the International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms are a series of three-letter designations that define responsibilities between buyers and sellers around the sale of goods, specifically related to transportation costs and liability. If you’re looking for more information on Incoterms, check out our other articles on this topic: The Complete Guide to All 11 of the 2010 Incoterms Rules Incoterms 2020 Rules: Everything You Need to Know Protect Your Bottom Line by Understanding These 5 Common Incoterms Negotiating terms in a contract to buy or sell goods can be tricky. However, knowing your Incoterms® can make the process much more straightforward.  By understanding these common, three-letter...