Unishippers Offers Shipping Advice for Small Businesses

July 24, 2012 - PRLog -- Third Party Logistics Providers Level the Playing Field

[SALT LAKE CITY, UT] – Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC, the nation’s first and one of the largest small package and freight shipping resellers, specializes in helping small businesses get the lowest price on their shipping. Unishippers recognizes that small businesses are sometimes spread thin with concerns outside of their shipping needs. However, failing to address inefficient shipping can result in poor customer service, wasted time and lost revenue.

Small businesses may be tempted to use a single carrier for the majority of their shipping needs because of the ease of doing business with one company.  However, shippers who use just one or two carriers are limited to the service options that are available from those carriers. The carrier’s model may or may not fit the small business’ budget, service or transit requirements. If a small business chooses to remain with one or two carriers, it is essential to retain a positive relationship with that carrier, particularly when overall volumes increase and freight trucks are full.

•     Small businesses using just one or two carriers should be certain that they are using the carrier/s in ways that best suit their core competencies. (For example, some carriers might do most of their routes in western states, but a business wants them to move some freight from Utah to New York. The carrier might grudgingly oblige, but this is less profitable for them.)
•    Additionally, small businesses using just one or two carriers should be certain they are packaging their freight optimally. Freight needs to be easy for the carrier to move and not prone to damage.
•    They should also be careful to always pay their carrier’s bills promptly. When freight volumes increase nationwide and trailers are consistently full, carriers can be more selective about which customers they provide with the best rates and payment history can be a factor.

“A full service 3PL can offer several benefits small businesses may not be aware of. These include a variety of choices, a single invoice to streamline the shipping process, great service and time saving transportation management systems,” said Kevin Lathrop, president of Unishippers.

A third party logistics provider (3 PL) provides several advantages for small-to-midsize businesses.
•     A 3 PL works with multiple carriers, thereby offering a selection of options (such as routes and speed choices), eliminating the need for shippers to contact several carriers to identify the best service and price match for their needs
•    Because of a large customer base, 3 PLs are able to negotiate with carriers for lower shipping rates.
•    Also, 3PLs consolidate all of a small business’ shipping into one, itemized invoice.
•    3 PLs can also help resolve claims, delays and other issues that small business staffers don’t have the time to adequately address.
•    Many 3PLs offer software programs (transportation management systems) that allow shippers to view cost and transit time comparisons for multiple carriers, manage an address book and catalog frequently shipped items, use tracking tools for  shipment status updates, and take advantage of online bill payment options.

Using a 3 PL allows small businesses to benefit from their carrier relationships, their expertise and their industry technology to level the playing field with bigger companies that are able to ship in bulk.

Partnering with more than 30 regional and national shipping carriers, including UPS®, YRC Freight™, Estes, and Saia, Unishippers can offer small and mid-sized business owners complete shipping options, attractive pricing, and local customer service that its customers can’t receive anywhere else. As one of only two companies authorized by UPS to be their official shipping reseller, Unishippers has found success with this partnership because each company complements the other.

About Unishippers
Founded in 1987, Unishippers has grown to the largest reseller of shipping services in the nation with more than 290 franchise locations. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, the Unishippers concept is simple – work with major carriers including UPS®, Saia, Estes and YRC Freight™ to handle the pickup, transport and delivery of customers’ shipments. All the while, local franchisees work to provide customers with service and support. By leveraging the combined shipping volume of all its customers, Unishippers gets deeply discounted rates from its carriers, resulting in lower shipping costs. Unishippers serves more than 50,000 small to mid-sized businesses annually, and has been recognized as a top franchise by Entrepreneur, Franchise Times and Franchise Business Review. For information on Unishippers, including information on franchising opportunities and price quotes, visit www.unishippers.com.