Transportation Services
The route your products take from the manufacturer to the warehouse is the start of their journey to your end consumer. Picking the best mode and route is key!
Freight Forwarding
Once your product is created and packaged, a freight forwarder may direct inventory from the factory to the warehouse
How We Can Help
- Select a forwarding company that specializes in your:
– Industry
– Product
– Geographic origin and/or destination
– Specific product requirements
Customs Brokers
If your inventory is created abroad, it may be subject to customs or tariffs, which will be passed onto you or the customer
How We Can Help
- Work with or recommend customs brokers, who may have creative solutions to save you money
- Determine correct international tariff codes, which can be very specific
- Analyze where and how your inventory is manufactured, as it may be driving customs charges
Insurance
When things go wrong, having the right amount of inventory insurance can be invaluable
How We Can Help
- Select insurance solutions to minimize the financial impact of catastrophes like:
– Theft
– Trans-oceanic loss/damages
– Trans-continental loss/damage
– Shared container contamination
– Delays on time-sensitive materials
Cross-Continent Implications
When inventory arrives in North America from overseas, it will come through one of a few coastal ports, from which it needs to be transferred
How We Can Help
- Advise on which central warehouse location to transfer to by taking into account:
– Final delivery points
– Corporate headquarters
– Increased risk
– Additional costs
Lead Times
It can be tricky to calculate the time it takes for inventory to be shipped to a customer from when your PO is placed
How We Can Help
- Build a schedule that considers the time it takes for applicable steps:
– Manufacturing
– Transit to port
– Freight forwarding
– Border clearance
– Transit to warehouse
– Receipt into warehouse
– Digital entry of inventory
- Recommend changes to reduce lead times
Container vs LTL vs Consolidated
The size of your batch will help drive the way it ships, whether you are considering international imports or domestic transport or shipping by plane, train, ship or truck
How We Can Help
- Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of various container strategies:
– A full, dedicated container
– FTL (Full truck load) – your cartons loaded onto 24 sturdy, warehouse-ready palettes
– LTL (Less than a Truckload) – your cartons, loaded onto < 24 sturdy, warehouse-ready palettes, occupying less than a full trailer
– Consolidated – the options above, but shared with other company’s inventory in transit.
– Air Freight – when days matter, the increased price may be justified
Explore Other Services
Packaging
Packaging
Plan your product packaging with warehousing and shipping in mind. We bring a big-picture perspective to the table.
Shipping & Handling
Shipping & Handling
How your item arrives to the consumer is an extension of your brand. We can help ensure shipping is congruent with your values and customer expectations.
Warehousing
Warehousing
Your inventory may be in a warehouse for 3 days, 3 months or 3 years. We can help you maximize your warehousing spend.
Retail / DC & Beyond
Retail / DC & Beyond
When shipping into a store or distribution centre (DC), details matter to avoid surprises.