Before your favorite products end up on store shelves, they have to be transported from where they are manufactured to their final destination. Many people may not think about what goes into the transportation of goods, but logistics is a large part of the world we live in. Here are some fun facts* to put into perspective just how important logistics is:
Logistics by the numbers
- 3.5 Million The approximate number of truck drivers moving freight in the U.S.
- 1.2 Million The number of trucking companies operating in the U.S.
- 149 The number of ports located in the U.S.
- 1.28 Trillion The total U.S. logistics spend in 2011
- 71% The percentage our nation’s freight movement that trucking accounts for
- 566 The number of railroads in the U.S.
Did you know?
- More than $1 out of every $10 produced in the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) is related to transportation activity.
- 1 in every 15 people working in the U.S is employed in the trucking industry.
- The highest-valued imported products in the U.S. include agricultural products, industrial supplies, capital goods, and consumer goods.
- Shippers who partner with third-party logistics providers report an average cost reduction of 13%.
If you need a shipping expert to help you navigate the complex world of logistics,
click here to contact one of our
dedicated team members or click the button below for a free shipping analysis.
A couple of us that are involved with marketing and sales at PartnerShip had the opportunity to participate in this week's Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) Annual Conference and Expo in Ponte Verda Beach, FL. The conference, which was themed Marketing and Sales: Tools, Techniques and Tactics for Revenue Generation, delivered some great insights into trends within the shipping industry, and some of the tools that shipping companies are using to market and grow their businesses.
The conference featured a great lineup of speakers and educational content. Here are a few quick highlights and themes from the conference:
- The Web is a living laboratory. People don't buy from websites, they buy from people. Companies must be prepared to answer the question "If I am your ideal prospect, why should I buy from you rather than your competitor." - Dr. Flint McGlaughlin from MECLABS
- Marketers need to focus more on buying behaviors to find the right customers and less on traditional "demographic" information. - Gary Brooks from Cortera
- Customers buy the person first, the company second, and the product third. Five secrets to building trust with customers are: 1) Do what you say you're going to do; 2) Show up on time; 3) Listen more than you talk; 4) Focus on what they're buying versus what you're selling; 5) Provide professional and timely follow-up and follow-through. - John Boyens from Boyens Group
- New government regulations could cumulatively affect the need to hire 1 million additional drivers into the U.S. trucking industry over the next three years. Trucking capacity will get tighter and shipping rates will increase due to moderate freight demand increases. - Larry Gross from FTR Associates
- Personalized website experiences are driven by this formula: Data (what you know about the customer) + Content (What you have to deliver/show the customer) = Response (Connect the two and figure out quickly what resonates and what doesn't). - Matthew Williams from Adobe
- You can't ignore the social media "revolution" (and if you're not convinced, watch the amazing video below). Make social content "snackable" - easily consumed in a short amount of time and easily shareable. - Brandon Balan from LinkedIn
If you want to learn more about the TMSA, you can visit their overview page (which also features a short promotional video that includes this very same PartnerShip marketing director at the beginning).
Since PartnerShip released its improved inbound management tools on PartnerShip.com, we've have hundreds of current and new customers create new or updated vendor lists through PartnerShip. As we have committed to our customers, each of these vendors receives personalized contact and updated routing instructions from a PartnerShip representative through email, mail and/or telephone.
If you're still "on the fence" as it relates to gaining control of your inbound shipping, you might want to check out our brand new electronic white paper (or ePaper as we call them) on 4 Steps to Gain Control of Your Inbound Shipping. You can also check out this abbreviated PowerPoint presentation that was recently posted to our SlideShare profile:
If you need help getting started, you can always request a free, no-obligation Inbound Shipping Analysis from PartnerShip by simply clicking the button below.
Has PartnerShip achieved extraordinary results for you and your business? Have we been a steadfast partner through good times and tough? Have we helped you cut costs, find efficiencies, boost productivity, and keep your business running?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, please join thousands of your business logistics peers and vote in the annual Inbound Logistics reader's choice "Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards." We know that PartnerShip -- with our intense focus on supporting small businesses -- is still a "small fish in a very big pond" of large 3PL companies; but we'd still be grateful for any votes we get as a foundation for future contests.
Last year, over 8,000 respondents — representing a diverse cross-section of office managers, executives, small business retailers, and global corporations — all cast their votes and shared their accolades. Now, here’s your chance to be heard.
Visit this link and rally behind your favorite 3PL provider (which we hope is PartnerShip): www.inboundlogistics.com/top10
Whether you vote or not, we sincerely thank our customers for the shipping business they trust us to help them manage each and every day.
Thank you!
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As Memorial Day approaches, businesses around the nation, including PartnerShip, will observe this holiday by closing their doors as a simple and unifying way to commemorate our history and our veterans. Below are the Memorial Day delivery schedules for each of our core carriers:
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May 27, 2013
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FedEx
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FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, and FedEx Freight branches will be closed. FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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UPS Freight
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Closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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YRC Freight
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Closed. If guaranteed delivery on this holiday is needed, consider the YRC Freight Time-Critical® service. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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Con-way Freight
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Closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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Reddaway
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Closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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Old Dominion
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Closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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New Penn
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Closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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PITT OHIO
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Closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 28, 2013.
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May 28, 2013
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FedEx
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FedEx Home Delivery will be closed. Will resume service at normal business hours on May 29, 2013.
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PartnerShip will also be closed May 27, 2013 and will reopen at our normal business hours on May 28, 2013. For questions about these closures and how they may affect shipments, please feel free to contact PartnerShip at 800-599-2902 or email sales@PartnerShip.com.
From everyone here at PartnerShip – have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!
Going global with your business is a great opportunity for growth. Whether you’ve already taken your business overseas or have just started to dip your toes in the international waters, simplifying your shipping is essential for keeping your business afloat. Here’s what you need to know about shipping internationally:
Find your markets
When you’re selecting your international markets, there are several factors to consider. You may start off by selecting markets where you have local distribution connections or markets that have signed free trade agreements with the U.S. You may also think about staying within markets with a common language to avoid any cultural or language barrier issues.
As you continue to expand it’s also important to be aware of the requirements and restrictions you will encounter. Each country has different restrictions or prohibitions that affect what commodities are allowed to be important and exported.
Some countries also have standards you must adhere to. For example, China uses the China Compulsory Certification Mark (CCC), whereas European countries conform to the Conformite Europeenne (CE). Products not meeting the particular standards in these markets may be held up by customs and will be subject to other penalties. Make sure you are aware of these restrictions and standards to avoid any unwanted hassles down the road.
As a helpful tool for researching your markets, FedEx provides Country Profiles that can give you detailed information on import and export restrictions, trade group information, prohibitions, standards, and more.
Prepare your documents
There is a great deal of documentation involved with shipping and selling a product internationally. The U.S. government requires export documentation and each importing country will have different requirements for import documentation.
What documentation you have to submit with your shipment depends mostly on where you are shipping to and what you are shipping. The primary shipping document for most international shipments is the International Air Waybill (IAWB). Other documents you may need will vary. Some other common documents include the Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin, and Electronic Export Information (EEI).
To help you determine what international documents you will need to complete, check out the FedEx International Document Assistance page.
Ship your products
When you have selected your markets, completed the necessary paperwork, and are finally ready to ship, it’s important to select the right service at a low cost. It's also important to remember that things like duties, taxes, port handling fees and other customs charges will affect your cost. Saving money on your international shipments with a reliable carrier can make a world of difference.
FedEx offers a number of services to fit all of your international shipping needs. Through an association shipping program, managed by PartnerShip, you can receive discounts on your international shipments with select FedEx services. PartnerShip works with over a hundred major trade associations, across many industries to provide their members with the money-saving tools to help them be successful. If you belong to an association we work with, take advantage of our free shipping benefits today - and save on your international shipping. If you’re not sure if you qualify for one of our shipping programs contact us and we’ll find the solution that’s right for you.
Here is another PartnerShip customer success story. In this recent case study, PartnerShip helps a small cooking appliance manufacturer with both their LTL freight and trade show shipping.
Business Overview
A small business that manufactures and markets a line of innovative commercial cooking appliances expands its product lineup and looks for additional growth in new domestic and international markets.
Business Challenge
The business is dealing with poor responsiveness and communication challenges with its current LTL carrier. On top of that, it has an urgent international freight shipment going to a new customer located in Canada and is unable to get the pickup scheduled.
The company also regularly attends food industry trade shows. These trade shows are critical to its business development efforts, so dependable exhibit transportation services to and from these trade shows are a must.
PartnerShip Solutions
PartnerShip is able to negotiate with its staple of core carriers and in order to offer customer an additional 33% in savings on their LTL freight shipping. Additionally, PartnerShip leverages its relationship with a reputable, national carrier to ensure the urgent international shipment is picked up and delivered according to customer expectations, and saves the customer over $130 off their previous rates. Based on the customer’s current shipping patterns, the customer could potential save over $10,000 annually on its LTL freight shipping.
In addition to LTL freight shipping, PartnerShip is able to work with the customer to provide trade show shipping services, saving them almost 25% off prevailing market rates. The customer also receives, for no additional cost, the exclusive PartnerShip Tradeshow Assurance Guarantee™ providing them with on-time delivery guarantees and additional assurances that they won’t ever be left standing in an empty booth space.
Click the left button below to download a PDF version of this case study, or click the right button below to request a free, no-obligation shipping analysis from PartnerShip.
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Is there anything better than watching robots battle it out for a chance to be named champion amongst all robots? I agree, the answer is no. That’s why PartnerShip, for the 2ndyear in a row, is sponsoring the National Robotics League (NRL) by taking care of the logistics for the competition.
NTMA created the NRL, a robot combat competition, to help introduce a new generation of Americans to the advanced skills and sophisticated technology that mark manufacturing today. Since PartnerShip provides shipping services to NTMA and its members, and shares in their love of twisted metal, this shipping sponsorship was a natural pairing.
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Pictured: "Atomic Shock," Plum High School, Pittsburgh, PA
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The NRL partners middle school, high school, and post secondary school students with local companies that are members of NTMA. The students work with the businesses to design robots intended for one purpose - to destroy things. This partnership allows students to develop high-tech skills while generating interest in one day joining the manufacturing community.
As the “premiere organization for student robot combat” the NRL has had regional competitions all year in destinations such as Arizona, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania to name a few. It all comes to a head at the national competition which will be held on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus on May 17–19, 2013.
Still not ready to book your ticket to Indy and “make a date for carnage”? Then check out the NRL promotional video below for more information on the competition.
Major associations and trade groups continue to work with PartnerShip to create valuable shipping programs for their members or stakeholders. As more groups race for relevance, they realize that shipping services are a valuable benefit that most of their participating members, merchants, or businesses both want and need.
Already this year, PartnerShip has either launched - or is in the process of launching - new programs for members of the following diverse industry groups:
- 1,500 businesses that are a part of the recreation and leisure-time food and beverage industry;
- 10,000 business that support all facets of funeral services;
- 500 manufacturers located in the Northeast Ohio;
- 1,800 corporate and 7,000 branch locations that participate in the national furniture retailing industry;
- 2,500 participants in the oil and natural gas industry;
- 790 companies that support the retail facilities management industry; and
- 2,200 suppliers to the collegiate retail industry.
Over 110 associations and/or industry groups now have a shipping program through PartnerShip, with many more in the planning stages. The feedback we generally receive from the groups we work with is how impressed they are with the PartnerShip process for building, implementing, marketing and managing our shipping programs. Since we have nearly 25 years of experience of doing just that, it shouldn't be too surprising that we have really perfected the process. Generally, most of our programs including the following components:
Research and Development
We conduct a thorough survey and analysis of the shipping characteristics and requirements of the members or businesses participating in the association or industry group.
Customized Program Design
Based on our research and knowledge of the transportation industry, we create a program specifically designed for the intended users of the program. The shipping services will generally cover everything from small packages, to big LTL freight shipments, as well as exhibit shipments for trade shows. The discount structures vary based on shipping characteristics and potential, but the discounts will typically be greater than what the member businesses could negotiate on their own. PartnerShip also brings expertise to inbound shipping management, and we'll often build commonly used vendor lists as part of our program design.
Implementation
Once a program has been developed, we work with our association or industry group clients to introduce the service to their members, merchants or businesses. The timing, sequence of the roll-out, and communications channels used are all part of the collaborative process.
Marketing Support
PartnerShip provides a full range of marketing support to communicate the program’s benefits, including email promotions, customized websites, online and print advertising, and more.
Dedicated Program Manager
A dedicated Program Manager who will oversee each of our programs, work with our clients to develop a marketing plan, and will be there to assist with any program-related questions.
Dedicated Account Representatives
Beginning with the implementation phase and continuing throughout the life of the program, PartnerShip devotes dedicated Account Representative and sales professionals who provide timely and knowledgeable customer support.
Monitoring and Reporting
Clients can track participation in the program monthly using our full reports, allowing them to closely follow the success of the program.
Non-Dues Revenue
The more the program is used, the more non-dues revenue that will be generated for the association or trade group to invest in educational programs, member services, and special events.
Recruiting & Retention
Ultimately, a PartnerShip shipping program provides our clients with a valuable recruiting and retention tool, keeping their association or trade group relevant and important for the participating members or businesses.
If you want to learn more about how PartnerShip can help you build a program for your association, trade group or industry segment - click the icon shown to the right to get started.
PartnerShip is proud to provide WIRE-Net with our newest full-service shipping program - the WIRE-Net Shipping Program! This program will be managed by PartnerShip and will be available exclusively to WIRE-Net members.
WIRE-Net, based in Cleveland, Ohio, provides support for manufacturing improvement and human resource management, training and education. For the past 25 years, WIRE-Net has taken a leadership role by facilitating action on important topics, holding consensus-building forums, and encouraging debate around the priority issues identified by their members. WIRE-Net is committed to understanding the evolving needs, challenges and opportunities of area manufacturing firms.
PartnerShip and WIRE-Net share in the same goal of giving their members an advantage in an increasingly competitive industry. The WIRE-Net Shipping Program is highlighted by savings on small package, LTL freight, and tradeshow services. The program allows members to rest easy knowing that their valuable shipments are safe in the hands of the country’s most reliable carriers, including FedEx, Con-way Freight, UPS Freight, and YRC Freight to name a few.
We are excited about this new partnership and look forward to working with WIRE-Net to provide members with significant savings on shipping and positively impact members' bottom lines.
If you are a WIRE-Net member and are interested in learning more, feel free to contact PartnerShip directly at 800-599-2902 or sales@PartnerShip.com. Also, be sure to click the button below and subscribe to the PartnerShip Connection Blog to stay up-to-date on industry news, new product offerings, and promotional offers!