Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow online LTL trucking publications

Read up on the latest LTL trucking news through online versions of LTL publications. Find out what the latest news and industry information is as well as up-to-date vendor information.

I recommend: Take a look at the LTL/motor freight industry news from World Trade Magazine. Check out additional trucking news daily at Transport Topics Online from the American Trucking Associations.

Use LTL freight news resource sites

Make the most of LTL freight sites that offer the latest in news and resources for those in the trucking industry as well as to those in the general public.

I recommend: Take a look at the news and resources at The Freighthauler. There you can find news, information and practice tests. Take advantage of the driver resources and business tools from Truckers News.

Look into the LTL transport experts

Check out LTL trucking news direct from the experts. See what is going on in the world of LTL shipping direct from those who follow and from those who are in the industry.

I recommend: Consider becoming part of an industry affiliation such as the Distribution & LTL Carriers Association. Attend industry events and take full advantage of their partnership and news information. Check out the expert opinion of those at the Gerson Lehrman Group.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  LTL freight industry events such as tradeshows, workshops and seminars are a great way to network and find out about the latest news and information on products, trends as well as safety and technology information.
• •  The cost of joining an industry affiliation can quickly pay for itself in the network contacts that it the investment brings about. Often times it's not just about what you know, but about who you know in the world of LTL trucking companies that can help you to improve your business.

Guide to Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipping

LTL companies offer cost and time advantages over traditional methods

By Jennifer Baljko

It may be time to look at a less-than-truckload model.

Less-than-truckload carriers allow you to:

1. Create a bulk shipment by shrink-wrapping lots of smaller boxes together or strapping them onto a palette
2. Arrange routes so the same driver will visit the same shipper about the same time every day
3. Have drivers who pick up goods from multiple shippers and consolidate freight into a single truckload
4. Track shipments through a centralized distribution network until products reach their final destination

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stick with

If your business already uses UPS for shipping, save yourself some time by checking out LTL services offered by UPS Freight.

I recommend: Consider UPS Freight your regional, inter-regional and long-haul LTL shipping needs, as well as service to Canada and Mexico and offshore capabilities to Alaska and Hawaii, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island.

Pick a shipping partner

While the big shippers offer these services, it may be worth shopping around and see how other vendors stack up.

I recommend: See the deals from UPS and FedEx and check Business.com for a comprehensive listing of LTL carriers and service vendors.

Bone up on LTL basics

Brush up on key differences between traditional shipping methods and less-than-truckload services.

I recommend: Wikipedia and Wisegeek have a good overview of the industry, useful phrases and packaging suggestions.

Leverage technology

As your shipping volume increases, you'll likely be juggling more contract documents, shipping notices, invoices, price quotes and a host of other related documents. Take a look at how software tools and Web sites can help you get a handle on these activities.

I recommend: Agistix, which has a tool that can be customized for startups, expanding business and larger-scale operations, provides dynamic bidding and invoice consolidation. Freightquote.com gives instant quote comparisons from various carriers.

Get schooled

Stay up to speed on the latest industry trends.

I recommend: In addition to providing data services and technology tools, SMC³ also has a number of educational programs and conferences to keep folks updated.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Per-pound shipping prices are often cheaper than parcel post rates, but the amount of time between pickup and delivery is usually longer because packages make several stops along the way.
• •  Be sure to factor in possible insurance costs, which will increase shipping expenses.
• •  Set up a flexible program that addresses seasonality issues, relies on various transportation modes and takes into account customer requests for delivery.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with simple LTL trucking information

Look at LTL transport basics such as term definitions, freight sizes and locations across the country. Find out what carriers are available near you and what services they offer.

I recommend: Discover LTL basics from Access America Transport. Look at definitions, rates, equipment and more. dnaFreight shares that LTL loads can vary from 100 lbs. to 20,000 lbs.

Find out how LTL trucking companies figure their rates

Examine how LTL freight rates are considered. Decide how those rates and how they are figured impact what you are trying to ship.

I recommend: Consider how pricing figures are equated through businesses such as SMC³. Think about auditing your current LTL transportation costs through companies such as Data Trak Technologies.

Check out LTL trucking equipment

For those tapping into the LTL freight industry, take a look at the vehicles available and what the purchasing and/or financing options are.

I recommend: See how Con-way Freight chooses it's equipment for its LTL freight carriers. Look at less than truckload vehicle leasing alternatives from companies such as LTL International.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask about volume pricing on select LTL lanes. Some areas of the country are more frequently traveled than others and offer more frequent and regular trips by carriers. Having your shipment on these truckloads helps saves costs because they are being carried with other shipments that are going in that direction anyway. This can help you save money by giving you part of a volume discount with all of the other people that your shipment is sharing space with on the vehicle.
• •  Don't forget that fuel surcharges are added on top of line haul costs. These are based on the national average of diesel fuel and are figured on a weekly basis.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bill of lading

The bill of lading is the document that the carrier issues to a shipper that says that the particular goods have been received as cargo for transit to the specified destination. Through bills of lading are used when there are at least two different modes of transportation; for example, rail, air, road or water.

I recommend: Check out the bill of lading from Dugan Truck Line.

Invoice, bill

The invoice is the commercial documentation from the seller to the buyer that notes the product and the quantity, as well as the agreed upon price for the products or services. The invoice also indicates the payment terms.

I recommend: Learn from Largo Software about invoicing LTL shipments to multiple customers.

Consignee

The consignee in an LTL relationship is the person that the shipment is being delivered to.

I recommend: AIC Millworks uses LTL as one of its many modes of shipment. Take a look at its consignee policy.

Hours of service regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed 'hours of service regulations,' which limit the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle. This is done to protect the drivers and passengers, as well as other motorists on the road.

I recommend: Find out more about the hours of service regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Linehaul

A linehaul is when you move cargo between two major cities or areas, usually more than 1,000 miles apart. LTL drivers collect freight from various shippers as they drive from city to city and consolidate that freight onto enclosed trailers for linehaul to the next delivering terminal or to a hub terminal where the cargo is sorted and usually passed along for the next leg of its journey.

I recommend: Find out more about linehaul fleets from Dynamic International.

Terminal

The terminal is the place where cargo is delivered and sorted out for the next leg of the linehaul.

I recommend: Find out where to find a specific LTL terminal from USF.