Four Things to Consider When Looking for a Supply Chain Solution Provider

From capacity constraints and driver shortages to supply chain disruptions and e-commerce delivery expectations, shippers are navigating a variety of challenges to keep their inventory flowing and customers happy. With an estimated 11.3 billion tons moved by trucks alone in 2023, there’s a lot of freight moving and no one-size-fits-all approach to delivering cargo.

Some brands might have a regional focus, while others might have broader, national or even cross-border needs. Others might require a temperature-controlled truck or even more complex solutions depending on the vertical, like pharmaceuticals, for example.

All shippers, regardless of freight type, benefit from one thing: a reliable, trusted carrier who can help create tailored solutions meeting your specific needs. It’s important to look for a carrier committed to tackling any transportation need with an extensive network and cutting-edge technology.

Key Questions to Ask When Vetting a Potential Carrier Partner

Finding the right transportation and logistics provider is important in ensuring you have the right supply chain solutions to tackle your business needs. There are a few key boxes you should check to make sure you’re getting the service and support you need.

We recommend asking the following four questions to ensure you are working with a company that can deliver beyond your expectations.

• What Type of Solutions & Capacity Can You Provide?

It’s important to select a carrier with the capacity and multimodal solutions to meet all your freight needs. A suitable carrier will offer an expansive portfolio of solutions, including dedicated, expedited, intermodal, cross-border, final mile and more. Even if you don’t need a specific type of freight transportation now, it’s good to know they can grow with you as you scale your business.

If you have freight requiring cold storage, make sure your carrier has temperature-controlled trailers in its fleet. Even a slight change in temperature can accelerate the deterioration of these items, potentially spoiling or ruining an item before it ever reaches the shelf. It’s these small yey essential details that can determine the success of a shipment.

• Have You Invested in Technology & Do You Provide Tracking Visibility?

Technology and innovation are essential to creating a successful supply chain. The industry is currently undergoing a significant digital transformation. Look for a carrier investing in new, state-of-the-art technology, prioritizing safety, communication and real-time tracking and analytics. This includes providing customers access to online portals for shipment tracking and management.

At Werner, we go one step further with our in-house transportation management system (TMS), tailored to each shipper’s requirements. Through 24/7 monitoring, we can model ideal delivery solutions and provide freight visibility while focusing on the lowest-cost solution.

• What Equipment Do You Have & How Well-Maintained Is It?

Find a carrier with the right equipment to handle your freight. If they do not have what you need, do they offer additional solutions within their network? What relationships do they have to keep freight moving cross-border? Also, check on the age and maintenance of their equipment. Well-maintained trailers are more reliable for both safety and on-time delivery.

With an average fleet age of two years, Werner has the newest trucks in the business, equipped with the latest safety technology like forward-facing cameras and ABS with 100% trailer t