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TT Club’s Initiative Targets Workplace Safety in Transport and Logistics

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News

TT Club’s Initiative Targets Workplace Safety in Transport and Logistics

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TT Club, a renowned specialist in international freight transport and cargo handling insurance, is focusing on mitigating workplace injuries caused by falls from height, a leading cause of fatalities and injuries in various industries. Highlighting the inherent risks in transport, port, and logistics environments where elevated working locations are common, TT Club is emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety to prevent accidents and injuries.

In its latest initiative aimed at simplifying complex risk issues, TT Club has released a new installment of TT Briefs titled “Understanding and Mitigating Risks of Working at Height.” This concise advice sheet offers practical guidance on steps to reduce risks, ensure workforce safety, mitigate injury claims, and safeguard against reputational damage in environments where working at height is unavoidable.

Introduced three years ago, TT Briefs are infographic-style advice sheets designed to provide easily digestible information on specific risks while also serving as visual reminders in the workplace. Mike Yarwood, Managing Director of Loss Prevention at TT Club, emphasizes the relevance of this latest Brief, noting the lack of consistent global regulations regarding at what height a worker is considered at risk of serious injury from falls. Therefore, TT Club’s guidance offers essential minimum measures for employers across various sectors to implement.

Recognizing the diverse operational conditions in the transport and logistics industry, the advice covers aspects such as infrastructure design, improved working practices, safe stowage of cargo, technological solutions like drones for inspections, and the deployment of fall prevention platforms. Additionally, it underscores the importance of comprehensive training programs and fostering a strong safety culture throughout operations.

Yarwood underscores the importance of effective communication in promoting best practices globally and TT Club’s commitment to delivering relevant insights based on the experiences of its insured. “Understanding and Mitigating Risks of Working at Height” reflects TT Club’s core commitment to safety and its ongoing efforts to assist operators in minimizing risks in their operations.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

How Better Route Planning Reduces Risk When Transporting Perishable Goods

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Introduction

The logistics and transportation industry plays a crucial role in the global supply chain, especially when it comes to transporting perishable goods. Whether it’s fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, or dairy products, ensuring these items reach their destination in optimal condition is a top priority. One key element in achieving this goal is efficient route planning. This article will explore the significance of better route planning and how it can reduce the risks associated with transporting perishable goods. 

4 key Challenges to Perishable Goods Transportation 

Transporting perishable goods comes with many challenges. These products have a limited shelf life and may require specific temperature and humidity conditions to prevent spoilage. 

Temperature Control

Perishable goods like food and pharmaceuticals often require strict temperature control to maintain their quality. Deviations can lead to spoilage, compromising quality and safety and rendering the goods unsellable. Modern temperature-controlled trucks can help but even they can encounter challenges such as being stuck in prolonged traffic. 

Time Sensitivity

Many perishable products like fruits and vegetables have short expiration periods. They cannot be stored indefinitely. Delays during transportation can result in financial losses due to product deterioration. Goods with a shorter shelf life are even more vulnerable to the impacts of delays and therefore route planning becomes an absolute necessity. 

Regulatory Compliance

Various regulations govern the transportation of perishable goods, especially for food and pharmaceutical products. Non-compliance can lead to legal consequences. These standards can vary based on the country and effective route planning must incorporate these regulations to ensure legal compliance. 

Complex Supply Chain

Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and perishable goods are often passing through multiple handling points – from the producer to the product labeling manufacturer. This complex and lengthy process can increase the risk of damage or temperature deviations.

The Role of Route Planning

Effective route planning is a critical component in addressing these challenges. It goes beyond merely mapping the shortest distance between two points. Here’s how it can significantly reduce the risks associated with transporting perishable goods:

Optimized Temperature Control

Route planning software can factor in the need for temperature-controlled vehicles and recommend routes that minimize exposure to extreme temperatures. This ensures that the goods remain within the required temperature range throughout the journey.

Reduced Transit Time: 

Efficient route planning helps in selecting the quickest and most direct routes, reducing the time perishable goods spend in transit. This minimizes the risk of spoilage due to extended travel times.

Real-time Monitoring: 

Advanced route planning solutions can come with real-time monitoring capabilities. This allows logistics professionals to track the temperature and condition of goods during transportation, making it easier to address any deviations promptly.

Compliance Management: 

Route planning software can incorporate regulatory requirements into the planning process, ensuring that the selected routes and transportation methods comply with relevant laws and standards.

Minimized Handling: 

By selecting routes with fewer handling points, route planning can help reduce the risk of damage or temperature fluctuations that can occur during loading and unloading processes.

Cost Efficiency: 

Efficient routes not only reduce the risk of spoilage but also lower fuel and transportation costs, contributing to the overall profitability of the operation.

Implementing Effective Route Planning 

Incorporating these considerations into your route planning isn’t an easy task. However, some strategies can significantly help this complex process.

Tools of the Trade

Investing in advanced GPS systems and route optimization software can pay significant dividends. These tools utilize complex algorithms to calculate the most efficient route, factoring in real-time data such as traffic conditions, road closures, and even weather forecasts.

Load and Unload Smarter, Not Harder

The time spent in loading and unloading is often underestimated when planning routes, which can be a costly oversight. Incorporating the loading and unloading times in the planning process improves the accuracy of your estimated time of arrival (ETA) at each stop, thereby increasing overall efficiency.

The Importance of Flexibility

Route planning is not a set-it-and-forget-it task. It requires constant monitoring and adaptability. Real-time tracking tools allow you to reroute your vehicles in case of unexpected delays, reducing idle time and the risk of spoilage. In a fast-paced environment, the ability to adapt is invaluable.

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape

Ignoring the regulatory aspects can cost you dearly, both in terms of fines and reputation.

In-Depth Analysis: Route planning software that incorporates regulatory constraints can ensure that you are always compliant, without having to manually check each time.

Leveraging Technology for Precision

From telematics to real-time temperature monitoring, technology can act as your co-pilot in route planning. Implementing these technologies means you’re not just reacting to issues, but pre-empting them. This proactive approach can be the difference between a successful delivery and a failed one.

Advanced Technologies Revolutionizing Perishable Goods Transport

In recent years, advanced technologies have emerged as game-changers in the transportation of perishable goods. These innovations are further enhancing the effectiveness of route planning and risk reduction. Let’s explore some of these cutting-edge technologies:

IoT (Internet of Things) Sensors: 

IoT sensors are now being integrated into transportation vehicles and containers to provide real-time data on temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions. These sensors transmit data to central monitoring systems, allowing logistics professionals to track and adjust conditions in real-time. If there’s a temperature deviation or any environmental anomaly, immediate corrective action can be taken to prevent spoilage.

Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics: 

Machine learning algorithms are being employed to analyse historical transportation data and weather patterns. By doing so, they can predict potential disruptions in advance. For example, if a storm is forecasted along a planned route, the system can suggest alternative routes to avoid delays and temperature fluctuations.

Blockchain Technology: 

Blockchain is revolutionizing the transparency and traceability of perishable goods throughout the supply chain. Each step of the transportation process, including temperature records and handling procedures, can be recorded on an immutable blockchain ledger. This not only ensures compliance but also allows all stakeholders to access a transparent record of the product’s journey, reducing the risk of disputes and fraud.

Route Optimization Algorithms: 

Route planning software is becoming increasingly sophisticated with the use of advanced optimization algorithms. These algorithms take into account not only the shortest distance but also factors like traffic conditions, road quality, and even the location of refrigerated storage facilities along the route. This results in more accurate and risk-reducing route recommendations.

Cold Chain Monitoring Platforms: 

Dedicated cold chain monitoring platforms provide a centralized hub for managing the transportation of perishable goods. These platforms integrate data from IoT sensors, route planning software, and other sources to offer a comprehensive view of the entire transportation process. Operators can set alerts and receive notifications if any conditions deviate from the prescribed parameters, allowing for immediate action.

The Human Element in Route Planning

In addition to advanced technologies, it is important to highlight the role of skilled professionals in route planning. Human expertise can complement the technology by making judgment calls in complex situations, such as unexpected road closures or extreme weather events. Effective communication and collaboration among logistics teams are crucial in adapting to dynamic challenges, ensuring that perishable goods reach their destinations safely.

Environmental Considerations

As sustainability becomes a top priority across industries, it is important to mention that route planning can also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of perishable goods transportation. 

Optimal route planning can: 

  • Minimize fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change
  • Incorporate eco-friendly route options, considering factors like lower traffic congestion and reduced idling time, which ultimately benefits both the environment and the bottom line.

Wrapping it Up

Transporting perishable goods involves inherent risks, but these risks can be mitigated through better route planning. By leveraging technology and data-driven decision-making, logistics professionals can optimise routes, ensure compliance with regulations, and minimise the time perishable goods spend in transit. The result is not only reduced risk but also improved product quality, customer satisfaction, and overall operational efficiency. In an industry where every moment counts, better route planning is the key to success when transporting perishable goods.

 

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

10 Ways Transportation Management Software Can Streamline Logistics Operations

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Have you ever wondered how crucial an efficient logistics operation plays to ensuring the success of the company across sectors? If not, then the answer is it plays the role of the backbone. As the demand for faster and on-time delivery rises, businesses are seeking transportation management software (TMS). It has offered the operations team game-changing and revolutionary ideas to handle logistics operations. In this blog, we will be offering you insights on how using transportation management software can streamline logistics operations.

Centralized Data Storage Platform: Transportation management software offers operations managers a single platform to manage all the logistics-related data. The software will gather details like driver information, vehicle information, order details, delivery details, and more. It’s been observed that companies that implement TMS offer a minimum reduction of transportation costs by 10-12%. The savings can be a great factor for businesses to switch to using a TMS platform for managing their operations efficiently and effectively.

Optimized Route Planning: Modern transportation management software solutions come with advanced algorithms to optimize route planning. The route planning solution will consider factors like travel distance, traffic conditions, weather conditions, delivery windows, etc., to get orders delivered. Using a TMS that comes with route planning will help with additional savings of 15-20% in fuel reduction. Businesses will reduce their fuel costs and improve fleet mileage which results in significant savings over some time.

Enhanced Visibility and Tracking: Companies today are fully focused on real-time visibility and tracking to ensure seamless logistics operations. By using an advanced transportation management software solution, businesses can now track and monitor shipments, keep track of carriers and obtain real-time delivery status for orders. A recent study showcases that companies that use TMS experience an average reduction in shipment delays by 20-30%. Happy customers eventually lead to better revenue growth and enhance brand loyalty.

Efficient Load Handling: What is the one thing that keeps bugging operations managers the most? Besides route planning, efficiently utilizing the space of each carrier to enhance delivery efficiency is the crucial aspect. The operations team, using a TMS can ensure maximum space utilization and cost efficiency for delivery operations. The warehouse team gets detailed information about the loading process, which helps reduce freight costs by 10-15%.

Driver Payouts and Fleet Audit: Managing driver payments and auditing invoices can be a challenging task and often time-consuming. To help automate this process, transportation management software has been widely used across the industry. Using a TMS solution has led to a reduction in administrative costs by 5-10% and offered operations managers 80% more time to handle other issues about logistics operations. 

Collaboration and Communication: Transportation management software helps with seamless collaboration and communication between all stakeholders involved in logistics operations, including shippers, carriers, and dispatchers. This improved collaboration leads to a 30-40% reduction in manual communication efforts. Since customers are constantly updated about their orders, this helps resolve issues promptly, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.

Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: As GDPR, PDP, and other compliance and regulatory requirements have become a focus, TMS can be relied upon to meet the requirements. The use of transportation management software solutions enables businesses to meet the industry standard and compliance set at the earliest. Companies can observe a reduction in the number of compliance-related penalties and fines by 25-30% using a TMS.

Analytics and Reporting: Digitization has led to a minefield of data that can be leveraged to take key decisions to enhance logistics performance. By using robust transportation management software, businesses can now make decisions based on analytics and reporting to gain valuable insights into their supply chain operations. This helps operations managers easily gather data to showcase operational performance to C-level executives. Using TMS solutions, companies can be assured of improving their operational efficiency by 15-20%.

Inventory and Warehouse Management:

Effective inventory and warehouse management is vital for efficient logistics operations. Modern TMS solutions easily integrate with inventory management systems and warehouse management systems. This allows businesses to optimize inventory levels, keep track of warehouse operations, reduce delivery costs, and improve order fulfillment rates. Companies utilizing a TMS experience an average 20-25% reduction in inventory holding costs. While warehouse operations showcase an improved efficiency by 15-20%

Scalability and Flexibility: As businesses grow and expand, so does the need for logistics software that can scale seamlessly. Transportation management software offers businesses the best scalability and flexibility, allowing them to adapt to changing market conditions and manage increased order volumes efficiently. The operations team no longer has to worry about order surges as the TMS would handle such spikes with ease. Modern trends showcase that companies using TMS solutions experience a 15-20% reduction in logistics-related operating costs during periods of growth.

Conclusion

Transportation management software has revolutionized logistics operations globally. By offering benefits like streamlining processes, reducing operational costs, and enhancing overall efficiency, TMS solutions have become a must-have in today’s business. By implementing a TMS, businesses can achieve centralized data management, optimize route planning, enhance visibility, automate tasks, improve collaboration, ensure compliance, utilize analytics, manage inventory, and scale operations effectively. Keeping the numerous advantages the transportation management software offers in mind, it is evident they have become an indispensable tool for modern logistics operations. This is enabling companies to stay competitive in today’s demanding business landscape and reach/ exceed their targets.

Summary: Discover how Transportation Management Software (TMS) helps streamline logistics operations. From optimized route planning to enhanced visibility, automate tasks and reduce costs. A game-changer for efficient and scalable logistics management globally.

Author Bio

Matt Murdock works for a leading SAAS-based platform called LogiNext Solutions. Where he helps businesses optimize their logistics operations and improve their delivery performance. With a passion for innovation and technology, Matt is always looking for new ways to streamline logistics processes and enhance customer experiences. In his free time, he enjoys writing blogs based on his experience in the logistics industry. Happy reading!

Matt Murdock is Technical Writer at LogiNext Solutions
LogiNext Solutions is a delivery automation company

 

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

2023 Transportation Outlook: 3 Trends to Prioritize for PERFORMANCE

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Still recovering from the disruptions of the past three years, transportation organizations are bracing for continuing logistics and supply chain challenges in 2023. On the one hand, logistics service providers (LSPs) are experiencing some signs of relief as U.S. container imports have fallen back in line with pre-pandemic 2019 levels. On the flip side, some of the lingering challenges of the pandemic period continue to cause headaches for LSPs and for their shipper customers. 

Escalating costs of raw materials and finished goods—compounded by inflationary pressure, geopolitical upheaval, and near record low unemployment rates—are forcing companies to focus on cost containment as they try to minimize transportation costs through rate shopping, increasing transportation diversity, and strategic sourcing. Driver shortages also continue to wreak havoc with performance and profitability for transportation organizations. According to the American Trucking Associations, the industry’s current shortage of over 80,000 truck drivers could grow to more than 160,000 by 2030. The ongoing shortage of warehouse laborers also threatens to put further pressure on supply chains.

As the new year unfolds, what new global supply chain surprises, economic uncertainty, or industry upheaval might transportation providers face? And what steps do companies take to survive and, ultimately, thrive? While the past few years have taught businesses to expect the unexpected, transportation organizations can capitalize on three key trends in 2023 to help contain costs and foster resilience in the midst of ongoing and future supply chain challenges.

  • Customer DEMAND for SERVICE

The past several years have taken a severe toll on transportation service levels, damaging shippers’ relations with their customers. Today’s customers demand a higher level of service than ever before and have become much less forgiving when it comes to mediocre service experiences. While shippers will ask carriers and LSPs to “sharpen their pencils” on costs, they will also focus heavily on transportation performance, measure it much more precisely and often and even pay a slight premium for it. 

Shippers will also focus on carrier and LSP digital service capabilities as customers demand greater shipment visibility and the ability to control shipments in transit. Both B2C and B2B customers expect a granular level of real-time data about their shipments, with the ability to track goods through every stage of the transportation journey. Shippers must find a way to shine a light into the supply chain from the time an order is picked and packed in the warehouse to the time it is loaded onto the truck and in transit. In fact, real-time shipment visibility, ETAs, and electronic proof of delivery (POD) will become a base expectation in 2023 across all modes of transportation. 

  • The Opportunity of Sustainability 

A recent survey of more than 8,000 consumers across Europe, the U.S. and Canada, which examined consumer sentiment of sustainability practices around delivery operations, found many consumers prefer to buy from retailers with eco-friendly delivery options that simultaneously reduce environmental impact and transportation costs. In fact, more than 50% of those surveyed indicated they were “quite/very interested” in environmentally friendly delivery methods. 

Similarly, 54% of consumers indicated they would be willing to accept longer lead times for an eco-friendly delivery. Longer lead times provide more transportation options for companies to improve the efficiency of the delivery, typically resulting in a lower carbon footprint. In addition, 20% of respondents indicated they would pay more for a delivery from an environmentally-friendly company—a premium that can translate to millions in incremental revenue.

Providing sustainable delivery options is not only an important strategy for improving the customer experience and capturing a bigger share of the market, but also presents a financial opportunity to reduce transportation costs: eco-friendly deliveries are more efficient and cost-effective than traditional deliveries, in part because they drive delivery density. 

Plus, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements will see companies look to measure CO2 footprint across the supply chain and all modes of transportation. In the U.S., companies can leverage this information to take advantage of eco-based tax incentives, such as the plug-in vehicle credit, alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit, and energy conservation subsidies. 

  • Building resilience through innovation

The fallout of the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of transportation organizations and the need for innovation to promote agility, responsiveness, and resilience across the supply chain. A recent study examining how technology innovation is changing supply chain and logistics operations and executives’ plans for continued investment found that 59% of companies accelerated the pace of their innovation initiatives over the past two years; an even greater number (65%) plan to invest more heavily in technology for logistics innovation in the next two years.

Not surprisingly, a higher level of senior management importance placed on supply chain and logistics technology innovation goes hand-in-hand with better financial performance and lower employee turnover. Respondents who said that innovation was important to senior management were 20% more likely to be better financial performers and 13% more likely to experience lower employee turnover. 

In light of the value of supply chain innovation, embracing logistics digitization is a vital pathway forward for LSPs, carriers and shippers alike to enhance performance and profitability. When looking at the top digitization programs where companies were focusing their efforts, the study identified transportation processes (44%) as a key initiative. With the pressure of declining demand and excess capacity, the digital transformation of transportation processes will not only be critical to help contain costs, but also to enhance customer service and competitive differentiation. 

For example, digitization optimizes the customer experience by giving customers the ability to rate, quote, and book ocean shipments in seconds as opposed to waiting days. Digitization also provides shippers and carriers with the ability to determine, on demand, the status, location, and ETA of their freight, instead of having to pick up the phone or access a static view.

While efforts in innovation are accelerating, many companies are relatively early in their journey. Given that standing still is not a viable option, forward-thinking transportation organizations will leverage supply chain and logistics technology innovations to embed flexibility and agility into their transportation processes to better manage challenges.

The pressure on transportation providers to deliver high levels of performance at lower costs is real. Although advancing technology-enabled capabilities to be more agile and cost-effective while simultaneously optimizing the customer experience and reducing environmental impact is a big ask, companies that prioritize customer expectations, sustainability, and technologies for logistics innovation can drive greater resilience and adaptability into their transportation operations.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Walmart Supply Chain Reveals E-Commerce Provider of the Year

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Pilot Freight Services was officially announced as Walmart Supply Chain’s selection for “E-Commerce Provider of the Year,” taking the spot for one of the six annual award categories for transportation providers.

 “2018 was a year of unprecedented change in the transportation industry. As our supply chain network has evolved with greater efficiency and new ways of working, so have many of our carrier partners’,” said Ken Braunbach, vice president of Inbound Transportation for Walmart. “The companies recognized have provided Walmart with innovative and improved service offerings that ultimately help us lower our cost to our customers and stay in stock, both on the shelf in our stores or online.”

The global transportation and logistics services provider achieved this status as a result of the company’s operational excellence across its extended network which includes Walmart e-commerce deliveries for all stations. Additionally, the company provided services that ultimately supported Walmart Supply Chain’s customer-focused service requirements.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Walmart as a provider that innovates, improves services and lowers costs to customers,” said Gordon Branov, chief executive officer of Pilot Freight Services. “Our dedicated employees continue to go above and beyond for our clients to create customized solutions and provide an outstanding customer experience while impacting the bottom line. That is exactly what Pilot strives for every day.”