The April 2019 round of NMFC changes shook up LTL shipping practices for nutritional beverage manufacturers around the country. Nutritional supplement drinks and whey protein were targeted for reclassification in the update. These items previously shipped at class 60 but the update created a secondary qualification for less dense products to ship at class 70. […]
Read MoreTopic: Industry Trends
LTL vs Parcel: When Is It Time to Graduate?
For any CPG business, growth is good. But when expanding, brands can quickly find themselves in uncharted territory, deciphering LTL vs parcel shipping, trying to determine when it’s best to leverage each. A high watermark of an organization is moving beyond solely relying on parcel shipping to fulfill orders and moving onto less-than-truckload (LTL) freight […]
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Looming Tariffs Pose Threat of Capacity Disruption for National Retail Transportation
Editorial Note: Since publication, the Trump Administration reached a trade deal with the Mexican government, which suspended the steep percent tariff rate scheduled to be applied on June 10. Although the tariff will not be instituted as proposed, the threat of the duty temporarily strained capacity along the US-Mexico border, which does affect freight pricing. […]
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Leveraging Trucking Data to Make Key Carrier Decisions for Shippers
As technology advances and continues its march into every facet of our professional and personal lives, we see more and more opportunities to collect “big data” and harness the power behind the numbers. To expand on how trucking data is integral in shaping and driving decisions at Zipline Logistics, our Director of Business Innovation, Dustin […]
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Establishing Minimum Order Quantities Adds Up to Big Supply Chain Savings
There is plenty to consider when analyzing a transportation operation. Among the seemingly endless details that go into making a logistics decision, there is an important and often under-analyzed detail — how a carrier’s minimum charge can work in concert with retail minimum orders to maximize supply chain savings. Though minimum order quantity and minimum […]
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Research: Retail Buyers Spotlight Practical Ways Brands Can Stand Out
Methodology: Zipline Logistics included 300+ retail buyers in our research efforts, with only a handful willing to be directly tied to the findings. We plan to continue this research throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information. Competition for grocery and retail shelf space is at an all-time high as new consumer products hit the […]
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NMFC Undergoes Initial 2019 Update – Food Supplements and Whey Protein
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA) released their latest supplement to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code list last month, set to take effect on April 27, 2019. The modifications will affect a few different industries as products have been reclassified to meet the new NMFC compliance standards. But before we dive […]
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Leveraging Logistics to Unlock Profit – Specialty Food Association
Logistics is a rapidly changing and complex industry. This is particularly true for grocery and retail transportation. Retailers are tightening demands on vendors so they can have well-stocked shelves and retain customers, keeping them from turning to online alternatives. While e-commerce is booming, only 3% of grocery shopping is currently done online. There is still […]
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LTL Industry Poised for Growth, Digital Integration
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, once a staid segment of transportation, has blossomed in recent years. Factors that parallel what’s happening in the trucking industry—particularly a healthy domestic economy and robust e-commerce sales—have given the LTL industry a boost. Becoming a frequently used mode of transport in the age of digital logistics is certainly within the grasp […]
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The Truth About Collect Shipping and Retail Compliance
Retail compliance is a topic of national interest and debate. What is the best way to manage tight supplier shipping requirements? A common misconception in the CPG industry is that it’s always a better choice to let a retailer handle pickup and delivery of product. The misconception is based on the idea that when big […]
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Walmart OTIF Requirements; May 2019 Vendor Compliance Updates
Retailers are continuously changing their vendor guidelines in order to remain competitive and adjust to both consumer and supplier demands. Walmart OTIF (On Time In Full) is the latest retail vendor compliance program to see a round of updates. Wall Street Journal reported on the update earlier this month, but here’s a break down of […]
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Fixing the Major Issue of Detention Time for Truckers
First off, what is truck detention and what is detention pay for truckers? When shipments aren’t ready to be loaded, even if a truck driver arrives on time, the trucker is “detained” and must wait for freight (and its paperwork) to be prepped. The industry standard is to have trucks loaded in two hours. After […]
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