David Maloney has been a journalist for more than 35 years and is currently the group editorial director for DC Velocity and Supply Chain Quarterly magazines. In this role, he is responsible for the editorial content of both brands of Agile Business Media. Dave joined DC Velocity in April of 2004. Prior to that, he was a senior editor for Modern Materials Handling magazine. Dave also has extensive experience as a broadcast journalist. Before writing for supply chain publications, he was a journalist, television producer and director in Pittsburgh. Dave combines a background of reporting on logistics with his video production experience to bring new opportunities to DC Velocity readers, including web videos highlighting top distribution and logistics facilities, webcasts and other cross-media projects. He continues to live and work in the Pittsburgh area.
Parcel shippers may be in for a shock when they open their first parcel shipping bills of 2015. By that time, FedEx Corp. and UPS Inc. will have implemented what is known as "dimensional weight pricing" for all of their ground packages, including those measuring less than three cubic feet that were previously exempt from dimensional weight, or dim weight, pricing.
For the first time, parcels falling under the three-cubic-foot dimensional threshold will be priced based on a combination of weight and carton dimensions, not their weight alone. For shippers of lightweight items with packaging heft to them, this could spell double-digit price increases because the parcels will be rated based on the amount of space they occupy in a van. No longer will the carriers haul Styrofoam popcorn and other cushioning materials that amount to little more than air for free.
The companies say the pricing changes will foster greater packaging efficiency for shippers, reduce fuel consumption through better truck utilization, and result in a smaller carbon footprint. They are also likely to generate for the carriers hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues without significant fleet investments. "The simple reason for the new pricing structure is it is much cheaper for [FedEx and UPS] than buying more trucks and airplanes. They want to get more product into the trucks and airplanes they already have," says Jack Walsh, director of sales and marketing for CASI, a company that provides dimensioning and weighing systems.
Before the Internet changed shopping (and shipping) habits, a large portion of parcel loads involved business-to-business shipments that were optimally packed by the manufacturer. Things are different in the age of e-commerce. Speed has now taken precedence, and for most DCs doing e-commerce fulfillment, it is faster for workers to grab a larger carton than necessary than risk having to repack an order because the carton originally selected was too small.
Jack Ampuja, president of the packaging and supply chain consulting firm Supply Chain Optimizers, says an order picker chooses the wrong sized carton about a quarter of the time. "We have all gotten that small item, such as a flash drive, packed in a breadbox-sized carton," he says.
Such packaging habits result in wasted space. "Forty percent of total shipping volume is unnecessary air," says Hanko Kiessner, CEO of Packsize, a company that provides on-demand packaging systems that enable users to build custom cartons. "If we can reduce shipping volume by 40 percent, we can actually increase fleet efficiency by 66 percent."
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
So how can companies avoid high parcel shipping charges? The first step is to talk to the carriers. Many companies have negotiated rates, so it remains to be seen if, or by how much, the pricing changes will immediately affect them. Experts emphasize that the time for shippers to act is well before their contracts are up for renewal. "If your water bill goes up, you turn off the sprinklers," quips CASI's Walsh.
The second step is to know what is actually being shipped. "You can't make intelligent packaging decisions if you don't know the [dimensional] volume of your products," says Walsh. Few companies know their product characteristics, especially those companies that have a constant churn of stock-keeping units (SKUs). But knowing the actual weight and size of products can pay big dividends. It can make handling easier, optimize storage space, and save on shipping costs. If you know the size and weight of each item shipped, you can then optimize how the items are packed so you're not paying to transport air.
As for how you can get those dimensions, there are a number of ways. Sometimes, suppliers will provide you with that data. But more often than not, shippers have to gather the data themselves. They can measure and weigh products manually using a tape measure and a scale, but this can be very time consuming. Another option is to use automatic dimensioning and weighing systems. Not only are these systems much faster and more accurate, but they can help take the guesswork out of the carton selection process. The systems can transmit the weight and dimensional data they capture to a warehouse management system and shipping software. The software then guides packers in choosing the best packaging for the product, including the correct size carton and the amount of dunnage needed to protect its contents. Some systems will also tie into a computer screen to display the optimal way to arrange products within the carton—for instance, with heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top.
In addition to being used to collect data on individual SKUs handled at the facility, automated dimensioning systems can be installed at the end of the line to capture information about each package in a shipment. This information is then passed along to the carrier and can also be used for customer billing. "It is important for shippers to include the dimensions of the parcel when processing their ground shipments. If they don't, they are likely to receive significant 'back-charges' from their carrier, which cannot be passed back to the shipper's customer," notes Randy Neilson, director of sales and marketing for Quantronix, the manufacturer of CubiScan dimensioning systems. "The system will collect the parcel's ID/order license plate number as well as its length, width, height, and weight," he says. "All of this information is then electronically transferred and integrated with the user's shipping software system."
Such systems are certified as legal-for-trade dimensioning and weighing systems. Therefore, the information they gather may also be useful in settling any billing disputes that might arise with the carrier or customer.
CARTON CORRECTION
Another way to address shipping costs is to evaluate the packaging you're using to see if the cartons you employ are the best ones for your needs. Consultants like Ampuja can help shippers determine carton characteristics, the number of cartons that are ideal for their products, and the sizes those cartons should be. "Six box sizes are about optimum for manual operations," Ampuja says. Companies that use computers to select the proper box size really have no limit on the number of boxes they employ but typically use about 15 to 18 boxes, which will provide more freight savings, he says.
Ampuja notes that shippers are sometimes reluctant to increase the number of boxes they use because they feel it will complicate their operations. However, expanding their carton lineup can save money if the cartons are a better fit for their products, he says, especially if computers handle the carton selection. "The money is in the freight, not in the box," Ampuja says.
Making even minor changes in the boxes' dimensions can also greatly affect the dim weight. For example, simply trimming a half-inch off the length, a quarter-inch off the height, and so on can save significant money when multiplied by thousands of boxes.
Obviously, consideration should be made for the types of products shipped—how heavy and fragile are they? What is the ideal corrugated thickness and design to assure the products are protected? The cartons should not be too weak or too strong, but as Goldilocks would say, "Just right." Another matter to consider is the optimal amount of dunnage to use to ensure the product will survive the journey while at the same time making the most efficient use of space.
"ON-DEMAND" PACKAGING
Another option for companies looking to eliminate wasted space is to go the custom carton route. They can do this by installing an on-demand packaging system that allows them to make custom cartons on the spot. Using measurements obtained from dimensioning systems, an on-demand packaging system forms the correctly sized box for the product being shipped. In short, these systems can neutralize the effects of the new dim weight charges, as the package is already as compact as it can get. "Our solution can actually help customers see a reduction in their shipping charges even with dim weight pricing," says Packsize's Kiessner. He says customers using his company's on-demand packaging solution currently obtain at least a 20-percent overall savings even before dim weight pricing kicks in. The savings come from lower shipping charges as well as a reduction in the amount of corrugate and dunnage needed.
Using a carton of the correct size also reduces the potential for product damage. "There is no better protection for any product than the best fit, so that there is no shifting inside the box," explains Kiessner.
On-demand packaging can be especially useful for companies shipping irregularly shaped items. One such shipper is CarPartsDepot Inc., an online store that sells automotive body parts, such as bumpers, fenders, grills, radiators, hoods, and headlights. Not too many of these parts fit neatly into a standard box. For that reason, CarPartsDepot relies on a Packsize system to create the oddly shaped boxes it needs.
"We have around 6,000 SKUs. Every one has a different shape, so we need a perfectly shaped box for each item," says Tony Chiu, CarPartsDepot's general sales manager. He says the retailer captures each part's dimensions, which are then stored in a computer until it's time to create the box for the shipment. About 1,200 to 1,500 parcels ship daily from his facility. He adds that he is not worried about dim weight pricing as he is already optimized for parcel shipping. "We are saving 15 percent now and will save even more comparatively when the dimensional weight [pricing] starts."
Economic activity in the logistics industry continued its expansion streak in October, growing for the 11th straight month and reaching its highest level in two years, according to the most recent Logistics Managers’ Index report (LMI), released this week.
The LMI registered 58.9, up from 58.6 in September, and continued a run of moderate growth that began late in 2023. The LMI is a monthly measure of business activity across warehousing and transportation markets. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
October’s reading showed the fastest rate of expansion in the overall index since September of 2022, when the index hit 61.4. The results show that the industry is continuing its steady recovery from the volatility and sluggish freight market conditions that plagued the sector just after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the LMI researchers.
“The big takeaway is that we’re continuing the slow, steady recovery,” said LMI researcher Zac Rogers, associate professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University. “I think, ultimately, it’s better to have the slow and steady recovery because it is more sustainable.”
All eight of the LMI’s indices grew during the month, with the Transportation Prices index showing the most growth, at nearly 6 points higher than September, reflecting increased activity across transportation markets. Transportation capacity expanded slightly during the month, remaining just above the 50-point threshold. Rogers said more capacity will enter the market if prices continue to rise, citing idle capacity across the market due to overbuilding during the pandemic years.
“Normally we don’t have this much slack in the market,” he said. “We overbuilt in 2021, so there’s more slack available to soak up this additional demand.”
The LMI is a monthly survey of logistics managers from across the country. It tracks industry growth overall and across eight areas: inventory levels and costs; warehousing capacity, utilization, and prices; and transportation capacity, utilization, and prices. The report is released monthly by researchers from Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, and the University of Nevada, Reno, in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).
The port worker strike that began yesterday on Canada’s west coast could cost that country $765 million a day in lost trade, according to the ALPS Marine analysis by Russell Group, a British data and analytics company.
Specifically, the labor strike at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Fraser-Surrey will hurt the commodities of furniture, metal products, meat products, aluminum, and clothing. But since the strike action is focused on stopping containers and general cargo, it will not slow operations in grain vessels or cruise ships, the firm said.
“The Canadian port strike is a microcosm of many of the issues that are impacting Western economies today; protection against automation, better work-life balance, and a cost-of-living crisis,” Russell Group Managing Director Suki Basi said in a release. “Taken together, these pressures are creating a cocktail of connected risk for countries, business, individuals and entire sectors such as marine insurance, which help to mitigate cargo exposures.”
The strike is also sending ripples through neighboring U.S. ports, which are hustling to absorb the diverted cargo, according to David Kamran, assistant vice president for Moody’s Ratings.
“The recurrence of strikes at Canadian seaports is positive for U.S. ports that may gain cargo throughput, depending on the strike duration,” Kamran said in a statement. “The current dispute at Vancouver is another example of the resistance of port unions to automation and the social risk involved with implementing these technologies. Persistent disruption in Canadian port access would strengthen the competitive position of US West Coast ports over the medium-term, as shippers seek to diversify cargo away from unreliable gateways.”
The strike is also affected rail movements, according to ocean cargo carrier Maersk. CN has stopped all international intermodal shipments bound for the west coast ports of Prince Rupert, Robbank, Centerm, Vanterm, and Fraser Surrey Docks. And CPKC has stopped acceptance of all export loads and pre-billed empties destined for Vancouver ports.
Connected with the turmoil, Maersk has suspended its import and export carrier demurrage and detention clock for most affected operations. The ultimate duration of the strike is unknown, but the situation is “rapidly evolving” as talks continue between the Longshore Workers Union (ILWU 514) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), Maersk said.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Mode Global said it will now assume Jillamy's comprehensive logistics and freight management solutions, while Jillamy's warehousing, packaging and fulfillment services remain unchanged. Under the agreement, Mode Global will gain more than 200 employees and add facilities in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, Maryland, and Ontario to its existing national footprint.
Chalfont, Pennsylvania-based Jillamy calls itself a 3PL provider with expertise in international freight, intermodal, less than truckload (LTL), consolidation, over the road truckload, partials, expedited, and air freight.
"We are excited to welcome the Jillamy freight team into the Mode Global family," Lance Malesh, Mode’s president and CEO, said in a release. "This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our growth strategy and aligns perfectly with Mode's strategic vision to expand our footprint, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the logistics industry. Joining forces with Jillamy enhances our service portfolio and provides our clients with more comprehensive and efficient logistics solutions."
In addition to its flagship Clorox bleach product, Oakland, California-based Clorox manages a diverse catalog of brands including Hidden Valley Ranch, Glad, Pine-Sol, Burt’s Bees, Kingsford, Scoop Away, Fresh Step, 409, Brita, Liquid Plumr, and Tilex.
British carbon emissions reduction platform provider M2030 is designed to help suppliers measure, manage and reduce carbon emissions. The new partnership aims to advance decarbonization throughout Clorox's value chain through the collection of emissions data, jointly identified and defined actions for reduction and continuous upskilling.
The program, which will record key figures on energy, will be gradually rolled out to several suppliers of the company's strategic raw materials and packaging, which collectively represents more than half of Clorox's scope 3 emissions.
M2030 enables suppliers to regularly track and share their progress with other customers using the M2030 platform. Suppliers will also be able to export relevant compatible data for submission to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a global disclosure system to manage environmental data.
"As part of Clorox's efforts to foster a cleaner world, we have a responsibility to ensure our suppliers are equipped with the capabilities necessary for forging their own sustainability journeys," said Niki King, Chief Sustainability Officer at The Clorox Company. "Climate action is a complex endeavor that requires companies to engage all parts of their supply chain in order to meaningfully reduce their environmental impact."
Supply chain risk analytics company Everstream Analytics has launched a product that can quantify the impact of leading climate indicators and project how identified risk will impact customer supply chains.
Expanding upon the weather and climate intelligence Everstream already provides, the new “Climate Risk Scores” tool enables clients to apply eight climate indicator risk projection scores to their facilities and supplier locations to forecast future climate risk and support business continuity.
The tool leverages data from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to project scores to varying locations using those eight category indicators: tropical cyclone, river flood, sea level rise, heat, fire weather, cold, drought and precipitation.
The Climate Risk Scores capability provides indicator risk projections for key natural disaster and weather risks into 2040, 2050 and 2100, offering several forecast scenarios at each juncture. The proactive planning tool can apply these insights to an organization’s systems via APIs, to directly incorporate climate projections and risk severity levels into your action systems for smarter decisions. Climate Risk scores offer insights into how these new operations may be affected, allowing organizations to make informed decisions and mitigate risks proactively.
“As temperatures and extreme weather events around the world continue to rise, businesses can no longer ignore the impact of climate change on their operations and suppliers,” Jon Davis, Chief Meteorologist at Everstream Analytics, said in a release. “We’ve consulted with the world’s largest brands on the top risk indicators impacting their operations, and we’re thrilled to bring this industry-first capability into Explore to automate access for all our clients. With pathways ranging from low to high impact, this capability further enables organizations to grasp the full spectrum of potential outcomes in real-time, make informed decisions and proactively mitigate risks.”