Discover how All South Flooring leverages Averitt's comprehensive transportation and logistics services for greater supply chain efficiency. In this customer testimonial, Greg Capell, VP of Operations and Finance at All South Flooring, shares their journey of growth and the pivotal role Averitt's solutions play in their success.

Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping presents several unique challenges in the world of freight and logistics. Chief among these is LTL rate management – due largely to the sheer number of factors that influence LTL shipping rates.

The e-commerce landscape has witnessed a significant transformation over the past few years. In 2022 alone, e-commerce sales in the U.S. exceeded a staggering $1 trillion. This shift has prompted businesses of all types to reevaluate their distribution strategies to meet the ever-growing consumer demand for faster deliveries.

While the Greek philosopher Heraclitus might not have had digital technology in mind when he wrote that “change is the only constant in life,” his words certainly ring true in the context of the rapidly evolving technology we see every day.

“Just load the truck.” 

For anyone not versed in the finer aspects of logistics and transportation management, those four words may appear to represent one of the easier links in the supply chain. However, far more goes into safe and efficient load planning than simply firing up the forklift and moving a few pallets.

On October 24th, the Digital LTL Council of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) announced that it had established a new application programming interface (API) standard for electronic bills of lading (eBOL). This marks the first time in the industry’s history that less-than-truckload has had a standard format for electronically sharing these vital and ubiquitous documents.

Trucking is an indispensable part of the US economy, accounting for roughly 70% of all goods transported nationwide. Truck driving is also the most common job in roughly 28 of the country’s 50 states. 

Yet every time a truck driver gets behind the wheel, they face risks. The occupation ranks among the most dangerous in America, with upwards of 766 fatal injuries annually. Although 80% of these accidents are caused by cars and other passenger vehicles, accidents can also be caused by any number of factors – such as careless handling of the truck, driver fatigue, and equipment failure.

Along with the cost of staffing and materials, shipping and transportation management consistently ranks as one of the most expensive items in a company’s budget.

It’s no secret that the last decade has seen a dramatic rise in e-commerce. While as recently as 2011, the segment accounted for barely 5% of retail sales, that percentage has grown steadily – reaching nearly 20% in 2021. And forecasts indicate that by 2025, e-commerce will make up roughly a quarter of all global retail sales.