Temp-controlled LTL shipping is as specialized as it gets, primarily because of the nature of the products shipped and the regulatory requirements that must be met. If leveraged correctly, temperature-controlled LTL shipping can be a boon to companies. It allows them to ship their temperature-controlled goods cheaper and more flexibly, serving customers quicker and much more effectively, opening up a world of potential.
However, the unique nature of temp-controlled LTL shipping exposes the supply chain to much more risk, which is why a freight broker is critical to the operation’s success. The freight broker ensures the shipper is matched with the right carrier and follows up with the carrier at every step of the process to ensure it delivers accordingly.
What Makes Temperature-Controlled LTL Shipping Unique?
Temperature-controlled LTL shipping involves smaller shipments that must be maintained at specific temperatures throughout the transportation process. That means that rather than waiting to ship enough cargo as a full truckload, these shippers are willing to consolidate with other shippers with products that need to be transported at the same temperature.
Temp-controlled LTL shipping allows for flexible, seamless, and cheaper transportation of perishable products. Considering the shipment does not fill an entire container, shippers can leverage the LTL option to ship perishables or temperature-sensitive freight without expending too much capital.
7 Temperature-Controlled LTL Shipping Strategies That Make Brokers So Effective
Although LTL temperature-controlled transportation is revolutionary in terms of the flexibility it gives shippers, there are strategies these shippers must leverage if they intend to succeed. Some of these strategies include:
1. Advanced Route Optimization
Although the refrigerated – or reefer – trailer is set to the desired temperature before the journey begins, anything is possible during the trip. The temperature sensor might get damaged, the trailer may not be insulated as expected, or the vehicle might break down. Every shipping process is exposed to a number of risks. However, when the freight needs temperature control, those risks rise exponentially, mainly because the shipper has to fix problems in the least possible time.
That is why route planning and optimization are critical to temperature-controlled LTL transportation. They reduce transportation time by selecting the most optimized route to mitigate risks, ensuring the supply chain has the shortest and best path from origin to destination.
2. Real-Time Tracking and Monitoring
As a shipper, you want to know everything about your shipping process, from when it takes off to when it arrives at the destination. With real-time tracking, that is possible. Enhancing visibility and transparency across the entire supply chain operation is vital, with particular emphasis on the logistics process.
With real-time tracking and monitoring, including the application of the telematics solution, you have complete control of the entire process. You can leverage this to identify potential situations and take the necessary steps to mitigate them. It also allows other stakeholders across the supply chain to effectively plan their processes in relation to the LTL shipping process.
3. Automated Scheduling and Dispatch
Scheduling and dispatch can be a tedious process, especially when the supply chain is operating at a large scale and running multiple temp-controlled trucking operations concurrently. Managing them can be a hassle and riddled with mistakes. However, this can be improved with process automation.
Automating scheduling and dispatch allows for a more streamlined temperature-controlled shipping experience, eliminating mistakes and improving the entire transportation process.
4. Compliance and Regulatory Adherence
Temperature-controlled products are usually highly regulated, not because of their nature but because they are generally meant for human consumption – for instance, foods and beverages, pharmaceutical products, and chemicals. The purpose of regulating these products is to protect customers’ health from sabotaged operating procedures.
Then, there is the issue of sustainability. Adhering to these rules, first and foremost, allows the business to serve the customers best. It also prevents regulatory discipline and possible disruption to the entire LTL temp-controlled shipping operation.
5. Enhanced Communication and Coordination
Communication and seamless coordination with carriers and other stakeholders across the shipping process is essential. More importantly, the entire process can stagnate without these two. Communication implies sharing clear and concise information between the supply chain and stakeholders involved in the shipping process. Coordination allows for proper management of the processes, including streamlining cargo destinations and controlling the entire process for desired results.
6. Consolidate Temperature-Controlled Shipments
This is one of the critical roles of freight brokers in the entire temperature-controlled trucking experience. They invest a lot of resources to find suitable LTL shipments that can be consolidated together. Considering brokers are experts in consolidating, they can ensure the entire process is seamlessly coordinated and impeccably managed.
7. Strong Collaboration With Trusted Temp Controlled Carriers
Collaboration with carriers ensures you all are working toward the same objectives. When there is positive, long-term collaboration, it ceases to be merely transactional. Both teams can work toward the seamless delivery of temp-controlled LTL shipments. This means sharing ideas, collaboratively innovating, and continuously tweaking the entire process until it matches the desired outcome.
Partnering With a Broker Doesn’t Have to Be Challenging
When your goods have the added complexity of temperature requirements, you need an experienced partner. There is no better partner in the business than Continental Logistics. We bring years of cold chain specialization to the LTL and FTL shipping ecosystem, providing our shippers great service and peace of mind. Our experienced carrier network is committed to quality service; from the driver to our support team, we’re here to serve you and ensure the process goes smoothly. Connect with us today.
