Chilly temperatures are the norm in much of North America when December rolls around, and for shippers, that change in weather means an added challenge for some goods: How to protect freight from freezing. Goods that can be affected include the obvious - beverages like soda, juice, beer and other liquids can expand, and cause packaging to burst. But also affected are the the not so obvious dry items like coffee, makeup, and batteries - all of which can suffer damage that makes them unusable. While that prospect sounds scary, proper planning can protect freight from freezing this winter whether you're shipping full truckload, LTL (less than truckload), or intermodal.    

Labor shortages can impact the economy in a variety of ways, including delivering a tangible effect to shipping times. Supply chain delays have been a big story throughout the pandemic. And in the midst of a generally recovering economy, a variety of industries are dealing with ongoing labor shortages which have also gained notice. Freight and logistics hasn't escaped this trend, making it a major culprit in shipping delays.

Black Friday has traditionally signaled the beginning of the holiday shopping season. In 2021 though, those who've been paying attention to the news have gotten a head start. Retail supply chain concerns have led to warnings that Sally's favorite toy or Papa's new tablet may not be available to those who wait. Companies looking to get their products on the shelves most certainly needed a head start this year due to several factors slowing down the supply chain. But is there still hope as December approaches?

There are no two ways about it, freight and shipping costs are on the rise. With added expenses getting goods from Point A to Point B, shippers are feeling price pressure. But beyond the impacts to shippers, how does this jump in the cost of moving freight affect consumers? It can come in the form of higher consumer prices as these companies look to maintain their bottom lines. You've seen the stories and likely noticed it yourself, many consumer goods cost a bit more than they used to (if you can find them at all).

Definition of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is essential to operating a warehouse and distribution center because of the efficiency and accuracy it brings to a shipper's supply chain.

Definition of Drop Shipping  Drop shipping is when a seller ships its customers' orders direct from its supplier's warehouse.

Just as logistics professionals use some industry terms interchangeably, the same misconception is found when using “warehouse” and “distribution center.” 

Definition of Omnichannel Distribution:  Omnichannel distribution is a multichannel approach taken by companies to give customers a way to purchase and receive orders from several sales channels with one-touch seamless integration.  

Definition of Third Party Logistics Company (3PL)  A third-party logistics company (3PL) offers outsourced logistics and supply chain service solutions for shippers.  A company can outsource all or just a portion of their logistics requirements.

Warehouse yard management is not given the attention and recognition it deserves within warehouse operations and is often thought of as a necessary evil fraught with liabilities, costs and maintenance.