Freight consolidation is a great way to optimize efficiency and lower transit costs. It involves pairing various smaller LTL shipments heading the same way into a partial or complete truckload shipment. Doing so results in a trailer full of multiple shipments from several shippers instead of multiple truckloads taking several trips.
Think of freight consolidation as carpooling to work. You have the opportunity to save money, plus it offers more convenience. For example, one company or several companies collaborating can use one truck or vessel to ship their goods.
As shipping volume increases, per unit shipping prices drop, so combining shipments and utilizing freight consolidation is beneficial.
Elder Logistics has got you covered; let’s talk about freight consolidation for furniture and why it’s a good choice.
Protect Your Cargo
Before we get into the benefits of freight consolidation, you’ll need to ensure all goods are taken care of before departure.
Without a solid protection plan for goods, you won’t be able to reap the rewards. Shipping heavy items with fragile goods isn’t an effective way to approach furniture consolidation and could cost you a lot more than you bargained for.
Here are a few essential tips for protecting furniture when it is being shipped:
- Furniture should be wrapped in protective film before loading. This reduces the risk of scratches, scuffs, stains, or other damage that could occur during transit.
- All boxes should be heavy-weight and extra durable, including additional safety measures concerning packing. I.e., styrofoam peanuts, paper, moving blankets, tarps, recycled cardboard to protect faces, cardboard guards for corners, etc.
- Ensure you have enough ratchet straps or bungees to prevent as much movement as possible.
Securing and protecting your cargo is the only way to ensure goods are delivered without damage. Now how can freight consolidation positively impact your operations? Let’s get right into it.
Benefits of Freight Consolidation
There are several reasons why freight consolidation is valuable for businesses.
Reducing Transportation Costs
Companies are always looking for ways to save—especially today, as inflation is causing skyrocketing gas prices. Transporting furniture can be costly, but fortunately, there are ways to save and cut costs in certain areas.
One of the significant advantages of freight consolidation is cutting gas costs. Combining shipments with other companies reduces the need for multiple trips and ultimately will positively impact how much you spend. Consolidated LTL or FTL shipments will reduce your end of the freight’s total payment.
Reduce Risk
Consolidating freight furniture gives you the advantage of reduced overall risk. Regardless of shipment form, you can minimize the risk by ensuring it won’t be damaged during shipment by following all cargo-protection precautions and suggestions.
Taking multiple shipments in one load also means less back-and-forth driving, which can ultimately reduce the risk of running into unforeseen road events like flat tires, accidents, etc.
When choosing a freight consolidation company, you’ll want to compare rates to ensure the company offers what you need at a price that suits your budget. Don’t hesitate to compare pricing and reviews for multiple companies. Being diligent and actively comparing prices will ultimately help your business save money.
Meet Customers Demands
Orders need to be delivered on time; that’s a no-brainer. Using LTL expedited or time-critical trucking services can help you address this need. As a result, furniture transportation can be more effective and more punctual when using freight consolidation, and your business has the opportunity to grow when the shipment is quick and efficient and customers are consistently happy with the quality and speed of shipping.
Look for a freight consolidation company that offers its clients a streamlined process and quality customer services.
Conclusion
Freight consolidation is an excellent option if you want to cut costs, reduce overall risk, optimize shipping operations, and improve speed and efficiency when planning to ship furniture.
References:
mwlogi. “7 Benefits of Freight Consolidation.” M & W Logistics Group, Inc, M & W Logistics Group, Inc., 26 Oct. 2020, https://www.mwlginc.com/transportation/7-benefits-of-freight-consolidation/.
Rheude, Jake. “How to Ship Furniture.” Red Stag Fulfillment, Red Stag Fulfillment, 26 Sept. 2020, https://redstagfulfillment.com/how-to-ship-furniture/.
“Shipping Furniture.” Ship Smart, Ship Smart Inc, https://www.shipsmart.com/shipping-furniture.