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Echo Celebrates Truck Drivers During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week takes place September 8-14 this year, and all of us here at Echo extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 3.5 million professional men and women who help keep our economy running by delivering everyday goods across the country.
American Trucking Associations (ATA), the largest national trade association for the… Read more
What’s the Timeline for Processing a Cargo Claim?
In transportation and logistics, going through the claims process is sometimes unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to be painful. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) established a general timeline to make processing a claim easier for all parties. You can also work with Echo as your third-party logistics (3PL) partner to ensure you’re adhering to the right process. The… Read more
How to Report Concealed Damage to Your Shipments
Not every shipment arrives at its destination in perfect condition. Most of the time the damage is due to inadequate packaging or improper handling. Either way, damage does happen, and knowing how to report it through the notification process is essential. This article will define what concealed damage is, explain how to work with Echo to notify the carrier of concealed… Read more
How to Notate Damages and Shortages on the Bill of Lading and Proof of Delivery
It’s much easier to win a cargo damage or shortage claim when the proper process is followed. Correctly notating damages to the bill of lading (BOL) and proof of delivery (POD) is a good start, but there’s more you can and should do to prevent further complications.
So what’s the protocol when your shipment arrives with visible damage, concealed damage, or a… Read more
Terms of the Trade: A History Course in Trucking Terminology
Like any industry, transportation and logistics have their own terminology and acronyms. A few you’ve probably heard include drayage, bill of lading, deadhead, reefer, and assessorial. In order to keep up, newcomers must quickly learn the practical meaning of these terms, but few people stop to consider their origin and relevance. As a nod to the long and noble history… Read more
4 Ways Shippers Can Benefit from a Drop Trailer Program
Recently the term “Shipper of Choice” has been used more frequently within the transportation community. While there are multiple strategies a shipper can deploy to attract carrier partners, one of the most impactful is having an efficient loading and unloading operation.
Drop trailer programs are an effective way to achieve… Read more
5 Reasons Outsourcing Transportation Management Will Improve Your Logistics Operation
Is your logistics department ready for growth? Optimizing your transportation operation involves much more than moving freight at the lowest price. To drive real innovation and long-term value for customers, many shippers have turned to Managed Transportation services and are seeing great success.
So how can outsourcing to a qualified third-party logistics provider (3PL) help keep you… Read more
How to Protect from Freeze: What You Need to Know
In the face of cold winter weather, shippers must begin to take steps to prevent their cargo from freezing. It’s not just liquids you need to worry about. Even something as hardy as oatmeal is vulnerable in cold temperatures.
While the start of the cold season varies across the country, it typically runs from October to March. Historically, some of the coldest temperatures have… Read more
What Is Partial Truckload and Why Should You Be Shipping It?
If you’re not currently using partial truckload, you may not even know it exists. The mode is vastly underutilized by shippers, but it offers many benefits.
First off, what is it? Partial truckload is that sweet spot between less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload. (It is also called “volume LTL” by some carriers who offer it.) When your shipment is too big for LTL but too small… Read more
Factors That Affect Truckload Shipping Rates
Predicting truckload shipping rates is a tricky business. Over the past several years, rates have fluctuated by over 50%! Factors that drive such wild swings are numerous, but they can be nailed down to a couple fundamental issues: changes in supply and demand and fuel prices.
Let’s start with the obvious. Fuel prices impact truckload rates. As an example, diesel prices that are $3.30… Read more
5 Things Your 3PL Rep Should Be Doing for You
You should expect exceptional service from your third-party logistics (3PL) provider, but how do you know you’re getting it? Your 3PL representative’s main job is to help ensure your supply chain runs efficiently. However, without the right communication and technological tools, he or she might not be able to help you avoid costly or otherwise preventable disruptions.
How Severe Weather Disrupts the Transportation Industry
Of all the disruptions carriers face on the road, weather poses the greatest threat. As an example, Hurricane Florence impacted much of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast with intense flooding and power outages, causing road and terminal closures as well as dangerous, if not impossible, driving conditions in some areas.
When it comes to freight transportation, we’re reminded just how… Read more