For HVAC manufacturers and distributors, delays can be costly. It’s not enough to simply deliver a product—it’s imperative that shipments show up on time and in perfect condition.
With the right tools in your belt, you can add efficiency to your processes and ensure customers stay happy. Read on for three ways to optimize your shipping operations.
Tip #1: Use the Right Mode of Transportation
When it comes to shipping HVAC systems, selecting the right mode of transportation can have a big impact on both your ability to meet project deadlines and bottom line. The two primary modes used by HVAC organizations are Less-than-Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL).
Use LTL for:
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Smaller Shipments: LTL can be a cost-effective option for shipments that take up less than half of a truck’s capacity.
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Frequent Deliveries: LTL is an ideal choice for shippers who are shipping frequently as this mode can handle smaller shipments more efficiently.
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Reduced Shipping Costs: LTL is a good fit for businesses looking to optimize their shipping budget and save costs by sharing truck space with other shippers.
Use FTL for:
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Larger Shipments: FTL is an economical choice for heavy or high-volume shipments that need a full truck capacity.
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Time-Sensitive Deliveries: FTL can offer faster transit times as the truck goes directly to the destination without multiple stops (unless scheduled in advance).
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High Value or Fragile Goods: FTL reduces the risk of cargo damage since goods are loaded and unloaded only once.
Achieving efficiency is a team effort! Coordinate with your sales and production teams to ensure orders are bundled together based on geographic location or delivery deadlines. This maximizes your shipments and minimizes costs.
Tip #2: Use Your Data to Uncover Opportunities to Save Time and Money
With every shipment you dispatch, you gain valuable data that can be used to optimize your efficiency and cost-savings. Having a tool that helps you derive insights from your shipping, carrier, and lane data can give you a clearer picture of your logistics operations.
MyCarrier’s Advanced Analytics feature is your single source of truth for understanding shipping trends. You can use the pre-built dashboards to get a birds-eye view of shipping activity across all your lanes and carriers to spot trends over time. With these insights you can make data-driven decisions like:
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Identify and reduce areas of excessive spending
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Optimize staffing during peak times
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Consolidate outgoing shipments to avoid minimum charges
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Understand optimal pick-up times for your carriers
By taking the steps to increase your efficiency, you can reduce costs, adjust your margins, and pass those savings along to your customers and partners.
Tip #3: Protect Your Freight With Cargo Insurance
Staying competitive in today’s market is a necessity, as is making a positive impact on your customers and network. Every damaged shipment results in sunk costs for you and the recipient. Freight insurance protects your investments from the unexpected, reducing risks like loss of freight or damage.
Full-value coverage gives shippers peace of mind in a world full of unforseen issues, and keeps projects moving quickly and smoothly. Insurance can be purchased from third-party services and MyCarrier customers gain the ability to attach insurance to each quote, via our partnership with Loadsure.
In the event that something does happen to your freight, MyCarrier’s Claims Portal makes it easy to file, manage, and track claims—all in one place.
The MyCarrier Solution: Packaging It All Together
In the HVAC industry, delivering freight safely and on time can make a big impact on customer satisfaction. HVAC distributors and manufacturers can stain competitive by understanding shipping modes, optimizing shipping processes using data, and securing shipments with cargo insurance. Using these strategies can create a solid foundation for growth and resilience in an ever-changing market.
