Inbound Logistics | January 2023

FACING CHANGE & CHALLENGES WITH SMART TRANSPORT STRATEGIES

The only constant in life and business is change. Today’s shippers know that all too well. Facing a barrage of staggering challenges, the entire transportation industry is on edge. Shippers are closely examining their transportation plans and embracing new ways to meet demands for timely, efficient, and cost-effective delivery. Shippers, manufacturers, and carriers are all dealing with a perfect storm of issues, including: • Supply chain shortages and delays • Driver and labor shortages • High fuel costs and Inflation • Manufacturing delays due to COVID-related shutdowns in China • Constraints in key raw materials and resources as a result of the war in Ukraine • Explosive demand from a booming e-commerce environment And all this comes on the heels of a pandemic that turned the entire world upside down.

KEY TAKEAWAYS • Expedited delivery should not be considered a “dirty little secret.” Instead, your expedited provider can become an essential partner in your transportation network. • Expedited isn’t just for emergencies! It should be an important part of a well-crafted transportation strategy. • While “expedited” is often equated with “expensive,” that basic connection misses the bigger picture. When treated as a strategic part of your transport plan, expedited can save time and money and boost your end customers’ satisfaction. integrate expedited services into your existing transportation strategy. • When picking an expedited provider, • It’s not as hard as you think to make sure you go with an experienced specialist who knows exactly how to deliver based on your needs. While expedited has always been considered a “dirty little secret” in the transport world, a smarter strategy is to treat expedited as the “hidden gem” that it truly can be, and to think of expedited carriers as essential partners in your transportation network.

$484.38 Billion

2030

These factors, and others, have created an expanded need for urgent, time-sensitive shipping options. As a result, the expedited industry has seen a boom over the past few years. But expedited shipping shouldn’t be reserved just for times like these. It isn’t only for solving urgent problems. It isn’t — or at least, shouldn’t be — a one-off. VALUE OF THE GLOBAL EXPRESS DELIVERY MARKET 2020 $263 Billion

January 2023 • Inbound Logistics 89

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