At Palmer Marketing we do our utmost to keep current with design and marketing trends. We also attend various industry functions to further understand the challenges the transportation industry is facing. The take aways from a recent conference are as follows:

What are large shippers looking for when selecting carriers?

• Commitment to timing, now more than ever
• EDI interface
• Modern equipment and financial stability
• Proactive solutions to maximize consolidation opportunities and utilization
• Solutions away from LTL to Multi-Stop truckload
• Vendors shipping collect to big retailers
• Adopting flow model from UK with smaller more frequent deliveries
• Investigating more DC’s in Western Canada for better control through shorter distances

How carriers should approach rate increases

• In person, not by e-mail
• Open book approach-these are my costs
• Show what you have done to keep costs in line through fuel saving technology and better efficiencies
• Take a partnership approach and treat parties with respect
• Timing expectations-probably September of 1-3%

Want to hear a current financial and carrier’s perspective on the balance of 2010? Let us know and we’ll send it off…