Explore Less than Truckload Shipping Options
Adapt your transportation strategies for the changing market
With the rise in ecommerce and evolving shopping experiences, less than truckload (LTL) shipping is becoming a more attractive option for companies looking to cut costs and gain efficiencies while still exceeding customer expectations. Use the following information to gain key insights on what you need to know about less than truckload transportation strategies.
What is less than truckload shipping
Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is used for the transportation of small freight or when freight doesn’t require the use of an entire trailer. The shipper pays for the portion of a standard truck trailer their freight occupies while other shippers and their shipments fill the unoccupied space.
What solutions are available for less than truckload freight?
As consumer expectations continue to evolve, shippers should consider customized, flexible transportation solutions that fit their unique business needs. Because of the growing importance in supply chains and need for LTL freight options, continually looking for ways to improve your transportation strategy, control costs, and increase end-to-end visibility is key.
Common carrier LTL
Consolidates and deconsolidates freight to help you manage spend without sacrificing speed.
Last mile
Flexible, large format, home delivery solutions with fewer touchpoints to minimize product damage and maximize consumer satisfaction.
Reverse logistics
Reverse logistics is complex, it includes managing returns; liquidations; and over, short, and damaged (OS&D) freight.
Consolidation
Individual LTL orders are combined from various shippers into one full truckload to provide shippers with reliable, on time in full nationwide delivery for their partial shipments.
Retail consolidation
Combining orders from multiple suppliers into a single shipment for retailers, solutions can include retail direct programs, pre-paid supplier programs, and warehouse solutions.
Temperature controlled LTL
Consolidates and deconsolidates temperature controlled freight to help ensure fast, reliable, and safe transportation of temperature sensitive shipments.
Store distribution
Project based, business interiors, and replenishment freight for direct store delivery.
Expedited
Time sensitive freight shipped on schedule through charter, commercial air, air cargo, EUV, and deferred air.
Supply chains continue to evolve due to heightened consumer expectations
Consumers Expect
- Convenient pickup and delivery options
- Accurate, real-time visibility to orders
- Easy to use, low cost purchasing options
These core expectations mean new challenges and potential opportunities for shippers, specifically to their supply chains.
Challenges include
- Increased frequency of shipments to meet demands
- Need for seamless, multimodal visibility
- Planned and unplanned shipments require flexible solutions
These challenges lead shippers to search for transportation options beyond what they currently use, including less than truckload solutions. Work with a provider that can build custom, flexible solutions to meet changing market demands.
Additional LTL insights
Why is LTL freight management so critically important to your supply chain?
As the market shifts, so must your approach to shipping smaller, more frequent orders.
Factors to help master your last mile deliveries and adapt to changing consumer expectations
Supply chain technology improves performance, especially for complex, LTL supply chains.
Retail consolidation program helps West Liberty Foods exceed on time in full delivery requirements
The company now stays on top of shifting retailer requirements across multiple retailers.
In today’s disrupted marketplace, our suite of less than truckload services can help you improve efficiency and increase velocity
Our experts provide customized, smarter solutions that fit your unique needs by leveraging our vast capacity network to bring you additional cost savings and efficiencies.
Put our LTL expertise to work
Freight or supply chain solutions
Connect with a supply chain expert to find solutions for your freight and logistics needs. Our services include truckload, LTL, consolidation, intermodal, ocean, air, customs brokerage, sourcing, and managed services. Send us a request and we will follow up with you.
Single shipment freight quote
Freightquote by C.H. Robinson is a self-serve freight tool designed for small and growing businesses to get your freight easily moved in the United States. Get a quote, select a carrier, schedule a pickup, and pay with a credit card within minutes.