If you’re running an e-commerce business where shipping is small and regular, LTL is the ideal transportation for your goods. At Radius Warehouse and Logistics Services, we are experts in all things freight forwarding, including road freight, and here is your comprehensive guide to the benefits of LTL shipping for your business.
What is LTL shipping?
LTL stands for “Less Than Truckload,” and LTL shipping is a method of transporting relatively small freight shipments that do not require an entire truck or trailer. It is a cost-effective and efficient way to move smaller quantities of goods without paying for unused space in a full truckload shipment. LTL shipping involves U.K. haulage as well as international freight.
Often, shipments from other businesses will be combined in one load, therefore sharing the costs and the space. LTL is a cost-effective way of shipping small loads. LTL shipping is a specific subset of road freight, ideal for smaller shipments.
Why choose LTL shipping?
There are many reasons a business may choose LTL shipping, from saving money and getting a reliable service to national covering. Here are some reasons why LTL shipping could be suitable for your business.
Cost-effective
Every business considers costs when looking for a shipment solution, and LTL allows you to move goods at a reasonable price, which is one of the top benefits. Businesses split the cost of shipping with other shippers rather than forking out the cost for a whole lorry load.
Since you only pay for the space your cargo occupies, you can effectively make more shipments at an affordable price. To summarise, this cost-sharing model is cost-effective for businesses with smaller or irregularly sized shipments that don’t justify the expense of a full truckload.
Reliability and shipment safety
LTL carriers typically have set schedules and routes, making it easier for businesses to plan and predict delivery times, which also helps with reliable and regular shipping schedules. This reliability is essential for supply chain management.
LTL shipments are typically packed and put onto pallets or otherwise packaged for secure transport, reducing the risk of damage. This is important for businesses that transport fragile or sensitive goods. We recommend packing your goods properly and securely for additional safety and damage protection.
Tracking and visibility
LTL carriers often offer tracking and tracing services, providing businesses with real-time visibility into the status and location of their shipments, meaning you know exactly when your shipment is due to arrive at its destination. This also helps you to keep your customers updated, too.
Regional and national coverage
LTL carriers often have extensive networks and provide regional and national coverage, offering businesses a chance to branch out further. This can be particularly advantageous for businesses with diverse shipping needs and obtaining a wider customer base.
Radius Warehouse & Logistics Services: road freight
Our extensive network of partners allows us to provide fast, reliable, and competitive road trailer services across Scandinavia and mainland Europe.
At Radius Warehouse & Logistics Services, we tailor our services to your specific needs, whether it’s full loads, part loads, groupage, or dedicated vehicles. We meticulously monitor consignments from collection to delivery.
Benefits for our Road Freight customers:
- Reliable and efficient service
- Daily departures to Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, and Spain
- Comprehensive coverage in Europe, Scandinavia, and Ireland
- Express and Next Day services available
- Various van and truck sizes for flexibility
- Road courier service for smaller, lighter items
Additional Services:
- Documentation Services (Certificates of Origin, Letters of Credit, etc.)
- Collection and delivery services across the U.K.
- Express deliveries within the U.K. and worldwide.
See our website for a full range of our services and how we can help your business with your warehousing and logistics, including other forms of freight forwarding.
Effective LTL and road freight practices
At Radius Warehouse & Logistics Services, we are always looking for ways that we and our partners can implement to make our freight forwarding services more effective. The road freight industry is a vital cog in the wheel of global commerce, connecting manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. With escalating challenges such as rising fuel costs, driver shortages, and growing customer demands, there is an urgent need to enhance efficiency and service quality.
Here is some help and advice on road freight efficiency for road freight companies, our partners and businesses looking into how effective LTL services run.
Better planning
We believe in better planning for road freight, and here are a few ways we do this:
- With technology, such as GPS tracking and fleet management software
- Quality control of loads (checking the safety and integrity of goods is paramount)
- Load balances and even distribution of weight
- We set targets and analyse our progress as a road freight service.
Optimise efficiency
Road freight efficiency differentiates between slow, unprofessional and unreliable service to a service that shippers and businesses can rely on. One of the ways we optimise efficiency is through route planning, and we meticulously chart out the best routes for efficient deliveries, there are several benefits to doing this, including:
- Reduced fuel costs
- Minimised delivery times
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Reduced wear and tear on vehicles.
Expert strategies
Here are some of our expert strategies for optimising road freight.
- Ensure regular maintenance on vehicles is carried out, as well as efficient upgrades
- Install/choose fuel-efficient engines
- Driver training and performance monitoring
- Implement digital tools and technologies
- Collaboration with other partners and logistics providers
- Prioritise sustainability.
For more helpful guides, see road haulage permits, as well as road freight regulations or contact us.
Other types of freight forwarding
If you’re eyeing international expansion and contemplating overseas goods transport, there are alternative freight choices. These can complement or replace road freight. There are advantages to all types of freight forwarding, but it depends on the type of shipment you are sending, how much of it, where to and your budget.
Air freight
Air freight, also known as “air cargo,” is a method of transporting goods and cargo by air using aircraft. It is a fast and efficient mode of transportation that is particularly well-suited for high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable goods. Air freight plays a crucial role in global supply chains and logistics.
This shipping mode is an effective means of sending goods internationally quickly, but this comes with a cost.
Sea freight
Sea freight, also known as ocean freight, is the transportation of goods and cargo by sea using ships or vessels. It is one of the oldest and most widely used shipping methods internationally and domestically. Sea freight is typically employed for transporting large quantities of goods over long distances, making it a cost-effective option for many types of cargo.
This mode of shipping takes longer than air freight but is more cost-effective.
Radius Warehouse & Logistics Services
Get a faster and more efficient road freight service with Radius Warehouse & Logistics Services. For more information about what we can do for your business or to request a quote, then make sure you contact us, and we will be happy to assist you. Learn more about us and what we do, and keep updated with current news and events.
The benefits of LTL shipping for your business
To summarise, LTL is a method of transporting relatively small freight shipments that do not require an entire truck or trailer. This is a great way to deliver goods efficiently with reduced costs as different shippers split the cost of one vehicle, and you only pay for the space your shipment takes up. This is far more efficient than paying for a whole vehicle and only taking up some of the space.
For more information about what LTL shipping can do for your business or other forms of freight forwarding, contact us.
