When it comes to freight shipping, there are many options to choose from. Understanding the most common types of freight shipping methods can be helpful when deciding which one is best for your business. Explore the different types of freight shipping methods, their benefits, drawbacks, and when to use them.
Less-Than-Truckload Shipping
Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is one of the most popular freight shipping methods. It’s a cost-effective alternative for businesses that don’t need to ship a full truckload of goods. With LTL shipping, your freight shares space with other shipments in a truck. This sharing of resources makes it a more affordable option for small to medium-sized companies. It also allows you to reduce the number of trucks and the amount of fuel you use for shipping on a regular basis, making it an eco-friendly option. It can take longer to deliver your goods as the truck must make multiple stops to pick up and drop off shipments. However, the fact that you don’t have to wait for a full truckload to ship goods can help streamline delivery.
Truckload Shipping
Truckload shipping is another option for businesses that need to ship large quantities of products. As the name suggests, truckload shipping is the transportation of an entire truckload of goods.
Because you’ll have the full truck to yourself, this is an ideal option for shipping a large quantity of goods or shipping goods that require special care, like fragile or temperature-sensitive products.
Truckload shipping also eliminates the need for truck transfers that would require workers to unload and reload your products, which helps streamline shipping and minimize mistakes that come with product handling. However, it’s also more expensive than LTL shipping because you’re paying for the entire truck, regardless of how much freight you’re shipping. That said, truckload carriers might be willing to negotiate rates—an opportunity you don’t get with LTL shipping.
Air Freight Shipping
Air freight shipping is an excellent option for businesses that need to ship goods internationally or over long distances. Air freight is the fastest shipping option, which makes it a preferred choice for businesses that work with perishable items and need to get their goods to various destinations quickly. Air freight tends to be more expensive than other methods, but it can still be cost-effective if you’re shipping heavier or more tightly packed cargo.
Packaging Sets Your Freight Up for Success
No matter which of the most common types of freight shipping methods you use, it’s important to protect your products with the right packaging. When you purchase secondary packaging equipment from Robopac USA, you invest in cutting-edge innovation that keeps your product loads safe and stable all the way through the supply chain.
For example, our stretch wrap turntables use our patented Cube Technology to create precise control over each layer of film, allowing you to customize your wrapping process for each unique load. It also helps you save up to 55 percent on film, which you can then invest in other aspects of your supply chain. This means you can properly contain loads for shipment and reduce product damage by as much as 40 percent. Visit Robopac USA today and learn more about how our equipment can help you improve freight shipments for your business.
