Increase in brokerage surety bond requirements 

The discussion regarding fraudulent truck brokers has once again been opened by Representative Frank Guinta of New Hampshire through his sponsorship of the Fighting Fraud in Transportation Act of 2011 (H.R. 2357) which proposes to raise the surety bond amount for property brokers from $10,000 to $100,000. The bill has come into existence in order to reduce the amount of fraud committed by devious brokers and online load board scammers. While no one argues that the bill would in fact combat scam artists posing as truck brokers, the concern among the industry is that it would affect smaller brokers who are honest and legitimate businesses as well as create an unfair economic advantage for the larger brokerage firms. With banks tightening their policies regarding letters of credit it would become much more difficult for “mom-and-pop” size brokers, existing within, or attempting to enter the market, to collateralize the $100,000 property broker bond.

While we, at PEI, are concerned about the potential effects on the industry we are committed to continuing our efforts to recruit new truck brokerage and air freight agency offices nationwide. Whether or not the bill is passed; PEI will continue to offer potential sales agents a solid business foundation including a vast carrier network, innovative technology, and an excellent reputation. If the bill is passed however, PEI has the infrastructure and the capacity to those smaller brokerage firms continue to serve their customers. If you are interested in opening a truck brokerage or freight forwarding agency office please e-mail jpatterson@shippei.com or visit http://www.shippei.com/about-pei/sales-agency-opportunities/ for more information.

Medical Shipping: Meeting Cargo Temperature Requirements

Temperature regulation is one of the largest concerns and is accomplished by using specific cooling equipment. Medical shipping experts can accommodate varying cooling needs based on the materials being transported. Refrigeration, also called ambient cooling, may be used for cargo such as medicines or computerized equipment. Your products could require direct cooling by means of a gel pack or other method. It is best to know the type of cooling required before choosing a carrier. If you are working with a professional shipping service, be certain to convey this information upfront so they can rule out any carrier with insufficient cooling methods. Summer heat will increase the need for dependable cooling during transport.

It is best to choose a provider who has access to every method of temperature regulation. This reduces the chances of your cargo being jeopardized under the most extreme heat conditions. Transfers are another concern during excessive heat and common transport conditions. The longer your product is in transition, the higher the risk is for temperature damage. Use a medical shipping provider who understands this aspect of your cargo and can offer the shortest time spans between transfers.

Packaging contributes to the quality of transported medical cargo and should be a concern as your business is preparing each shipment for carrier pickup. Containers, applied fillers, and additional packaging will determine the overall safety of each item. If your product has moisture sensitivities, you might want to consider using resistant packing to prevent wetness from occurring. An insulated container increases temperature retention throughout shipping. The container should be capable of withstanding vibration and bumping often experienced during transport. Containers that do not easily open or break increase the overall safety of your goods. You can assist carriers in accommodating for these conditions by providing sufficient packaging and reliable transport condition requirements.

Upfront precautions, along with a quality shipment provider, increase the chances of a successful medical freight arrival. Damage is not an option when shipping critical medical materials. One delay can increase the severity of a medical condition, or worse, cost the life of an individual. PEI offers numerous services to ensure you get the best shipment care and timeliness with these types of products. Our professionals work with quality carriers to make certain all necessary precautions are taken for each product you ship out.

Expedited ground or freight forwarding can often ease the delivery process of time sensitive items with unique demands. It is worthwhile to spend time evaluating the services offered and their associated quality prior to selecting this type of provider. Companies with years of experience can provide dependable carriers, the most efficient route, proper care, and cost efficiency beyond typical shipment channels. They ensure critical medical items arrive in perfect condition within the desired timeframe.

Medical Shipping: A Full Service Transport Company Provides Increased Reliability

Medical shipping is different from most other forms of freight handling because each product has special requirements. For example, medicines often require temperature regulation and have strict transport times. A slight fluctuation in temperature or a delayed delivery can directly affect overall product quality. Special packaging, unique international concerns, and various other factors will come into play for a medical shipment. Bulky or fragile equipment makes individual requirements such as the mode of transportation even more demanding. Moisture resistance packaging, fillers, and correct labeling precautions are also necessary to protect product quality.

How do you evaluate the quality of a medical shipping company bidding on your critical cargo? It comes down to what you need and the type of professional provider being considered. You have numerous options, including individual freight brokers, full service critical shipment companies, or the carriers consistently used for your business. Common carriers do not always have the room or type of transport necessary to meet the high sensitivity transport demands of medical products. You will also face complications if strict time limits are set on the delivery. Individual freight brokers do not have the connections of an experienced full service company. Prices may be higher, carriers are not always dependable, and individual brokers are sometimes unable to offer all necessary assistance.

Peace of mind can be attained by choosing a shipping provider who offers multiple transport modes, beneficial services, and is backed by years of experience. Keep this in mind when evaluating possible medical shipping services for key company freight loads such as medicines or vital equipment. PEI has been in the industry for over twenty years, with its early beginning as a small Atlanta freight forwarding company. Today, we offer quality service to clients throughout the country by supplying innovative shipping solutions while keeping customer needs as our top priority. If you are having difficulty finding a company capable of meeting the extensive demands of medical freight, we can provide the success you have been seeking for challenging transports. Call today to learn more about our services and how we can turn a shipping challenge into a prosperous transport.

Trade Show Freight Services: Decreasing the Risk of Failed or Late Deliveries

Trade show freight services allow you to create a shipment schedule for timely pickup and delivery of an exhibit between event locations. A provider may assist with packaging, transporting, loading, and unloading of the display. You can take extra precaution to aid a provider in preventing damaged items or delayed shipment, such as accommodating for possible weather complications. While your business may reside in sunny California, you have to consider what weather is possible at your destination. Weather can provide unexpected delays, regardless of the shipment method, and often requires additional time to meet arrival deadlines.

Expect a provider to follow the dates given for each destination. You should make shipping time accommodations for weather upfront as a preventative measure. It is good practice to have all needed portions of an exhibit shipped at least a couple of weeks in advance when weather could cause a delay. Some trade show halls allow display items to be shipped up to a month in advance. Contact each location before scheduling to verify you have conveyed the right time span to the trade show freight services provider.

Inappropriate labeling can cause significant shipment delays, thus making it essential to verify this portion of shipping. The wrong information may cause the exhibit to be delayed or to be lost in transit and not arrive at all. You should verify the information when possible before the exhibit is shipped to the next destination. If you are responsible for labeling each box, be certain to legibly write all sending information. Use clear tape to prevent any part of the label from being covered and to avoid ink smearing.

Do not use cost as your only deciding factor when comparing companies for this type of commitment. Be certain to research reputation, both in regards to shipment quality and company service, before entering an agreement. PEI professionals have many years of experience in the trade show shipping industry. We take every precaution to ensure exhibit components are cared for, arrive on time, and that you receive the additional services necessary to support a hectic trade show schedule. Call today to learn more about our transport services or to begin setting up a transport plan for upcoming events.

Trade Show Transportation Services: What Can You Do to Improve Shipping Outcomes?

Trade show transportation services may include the packaging, loading, unloading, set up, break down, and transfer of an exhibit. Warehousing the exhibit in a more centralized location can prove to be advantageous when you will be attending multiple shows. Take into account where each show will be held as well as the dates and timeframes of these events. Position storage in the middle of these locations or choose an area close to the largest cluster for reduced costs. Another option may be to ship the exhibit directly between locations when they are close together, rather than having the display sent back to the warehouse. Sending your display back to the warehouse may be better if repairs or improvements are required prior to repackaging and sending.

Consider the destination before planning shipping locations, dates, and times. It can be costly to ship an exhibit to an international location, thus making the consideration of renting an exhibit at these particular destinations worthwhile. If this option is not possible, be certain to discuss your needs for these transports with the company providing the trade show transportation services. The weight of your exhibit will also affect the total shipping costs per event. If you are in the market for replacing a current display, consider purchasing one of the newer and lighter designs to cut overall event transportation costs. New custom products use lighter weight materials, are affordable, and much easier to ship between locations.

These few simple steps can save both money and time while planning the transportation of this important event item. PEI professionals understand how important it is to get your display to each location on time and in top condition. It is something that must be coordinated appropriately for the most reliable results. A list of your destinations, dates, and special shipping requirements allow our professionals to provide the best options for each transport. We use this information in conjunction with trade show logistics to map out a solid shipping plan for the entire lifecycle of your display. Call today to receive quality service, individual shipment dedication, and a plan tailored to your exact transport needs.

• Component consolidation. Components for complex equipment routinely come from two or more vendors. This presents the issue of how to deliver them to the customer as a single shipment. A shipping service that performs component consolidation can deliver them as a single shipment.

• Blind shipping. When components come from multiple vendors, the seller of the equipment does not want the addresses of the vendors to appear on shipping documents or equipment packaging. A shipping service that offers blind shipping can ensure that only the seller’s information is listed on the documents and packages.

• Single invoicing. Without single invoicing, a shipment that contained components from multiple vendors would result in multiple invoices. In order to simplify shipping documents and conserve administrative resources for the shipper and its customers, carriers who specialize in medical shipments offer single invoicing.

• Custom crating. The greatest risk of transporting sensitive medical equipment is that its delicate technology could be unknowingly damaged, causing it to give incorrect readings. When combined with special packaging, custom crating such as double-wall corrugated containers can prevent this damage from happening.

• Specialized packaging. Sensitive equipment requires specialized packaging that protects its most vulnerable components. For medial equipment, specialized packaging often consists of custom cushioning, blocking and bracing techniques, foam fill techniques, and the application of special wrapping materials.

The options above may be applicable to your medical shipment. After analyzing your shipping needs, PEI will determine the exact options that are necessary to deliver your shipment safely, punctually, and economically.

Call PEI for Your Medical Shipping Needs

PEI understands the difference between transporting medical equipment and transporting other types of equipment. If the wrong options are used, medical equipment could be damaged, vendor relationships could be compromised, and the customer could be presented with needlessly complex documentation. At PEI, we prevent these circumstances from happening by carefully analyzing your needs and applying exactly the right options.

For over eighteen years, PEI has operated as an asset-based freight broker that specializes in truck shipments, airfreight forwarding, and non-standard critical shipping services. In many cases, we can combine truck shipping and air shipping to offer the best combination of freight safety, delivery time, and delivery cost. If you need to ship medical equipment, ship it through a broker who has the right services or experience. Call PEI today.

Criticisms of Freight Forwarders

Second party logistics (2PL) providers (i.e. carriers) and providers of logistics software often describe freight forwarders as “middlemen” whose presence in the shipping process is unnecessary. What these entities fail to disclose, however, is that standard carriers inherently offer limited shipping options, and logistics software does not handle the administrative aspects of air shipping, such as international documentation for exporting.

Freight forwarders do charge brokerage fees, but they are minimal compared to the savings that result from having the most economical, time sensitive shipping options on a continuous basis, and having the administrative tasks of freight arrangements handled by a third party.

Benefits of Freight Forwarders

The benefits of air freight forwarding can be seen in the services that forwarders facilitate. At PEI—an asset-based 3PL provider that specializes in truck and air shipping—these services are: date specific delivery, next day delivery, second day delivery, three to five day delivery, next flight out delivery, air craft charter delivery, and hot shots, which provides exclusive use of a delivery vehicle for delivering a shipment from the airport directly to a customer.

PEI also provides air export services for all U.S. industries, including services to assist with international documentation. Combined with our standard air services, these and our other value added services distinguish us from the competition.

Considerations for Choosing an Air Freight Franchise

In addition to investigating a franchise by checking its references and its record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), shippers should ensure that an agent is licensed, carries cargo insurance, has excellent customer service options, and has a stellar on-time delivery rate. At PEI, we deliver ninety-seven percent of shipments on time—an impressive percentage considering the nuances of commercial shipping.

Conclusion

An air freight franchise saves shippers money by facilitating the best shipping options in terms of shipping rates and delivery time. Unlike carriers that only supply options their fleets can accommodate, freight franchises perform a nationwide search for options that meet your unique needs. Unlike logistics software, a freight franchise does more than identify the best options; it also handles the paperwork and negotiation necessary to put them in motion.

To learn more about the benefits of air shipping, call PEI and inquire about air freight forwarding. We will examine your shipping process and look for opportunities to use air shipping for direct delivery or as an integrated shipping method that can reduce delivery cost and delivery time.

Date Specific
One of the worst shipping experiences a company can have is when a time sensitive shipment arrives late. Examples of late deliveries that can have tragic consequences are late shipments of tradeshow supplies, products that undergo multiphase manufacturing, and staging and sound equipment for public events.

Date specific delivery ensures that deliveries arrive neither too early nor late, making your company seem organized, punctual, and professional.

Charter
Charter delivery is the most expedited delivery option. Companies that experience a high demand for immediate deliveries frequently use charter services. Common examples of charter deliveries include shipments of medical supplies, legal papers, emergency foodstuffs, and emergency power supply equipment.

Next Flight Out
Next flight out delivery allows you to send shipments that weigh one to one-hundred pounds on an expedited basis. Upon requesting the next flight out, your shipment is placed on the next available commercial flight and delivered immediately after it lands.

Common examples of next flight out deliveries include shipments of sensitive paperwork, critical medical supplies, high-priced items, and shipments that are accidentally late.

Next Day
Next day delivery is an excellent value added service for retail merchants, especially those who sell critical supplies or luxury items that appeal to demanding clientele. When a customer wants an item within twenty-four hours, offering next day delivery gives your company an edge over competitors that offer standard shipping options.

Next day deliveries can be made at noon or 5 p.m., and offering customers both options increases the value of this service even more.

Second Day
Second day delivery is ideal for time sensitive deliveries that need not arrive within twenty-four hours of their shipping date. If you can plan most of your shipments at least three days in advance, second day delivery is an excellent way to save on shipping cost.

Three to Five Day
Three to five day delivery is an excellent cost saving option for companies that can plan their shipments a week ahead of time. Due to their flexible delivery date, three to five day shipments are usually reserved for non-critical and non-time sensitive cargo.

PEI has the Air Services You Need

There are numerous freight franchises to choose from, but when you need the best air cargo company, PEI is the answer.

At PEI, we offer the services above and more, including export and trucking services. If you think that air cargo could benefit your shipping process, but you have questions about its integration and affordability, call us today and let us analyze your shipping process. We may be able to save you time and money on your shipments.

If you think that a freight broker franchise could benefit your shipping process, but you have questions about how it operates, the answers below can help.

How do freight brokers connect shippers with carriers?

Freight brokers use logistics to identify the best shipping options for each shipper’s needs. Hiring a freight broker is like having a logistics department that continually identifies the best delivery options on a nationwide basis.

How much do freight brokers charge for their services?

This depends on the type of shipping services that are needed and the expertise required to put them in motion. In almost all cases, a broker’s fee is small compared to the cost savings that result from the arrangements they broker.

Do some brokers have their own fleets?

Yes. They are known as asset-based 3PL providers, functioning as both a standard carrier and a freight broker. The advantage of these brokers is that they are experts in the area where their shipping assets lie, but their goal is still to provide the best freight arrangement, even when it lies with another carrier.

Why is using a freight broker better than contracting with a carrier?

Contracting with a carrier limits your shipping options to the options of the carrier. If you use a carrier long-term, as many shippers do, this results in paying more for shipping than you would if a broker continually brokered the most economic and time efficient arrangements.
Do companies that have their own fleets use freight brokers?

Because most asset-based shippers have a logistics department, they seldom need a freight broker franchise. However, they do use 3PL providers in the form of “service developers” and “customer developers”—two types of specialty 3PL providers that serve in a managerial and developmental capacity.

How can PEI help my business’ shipping process?

At, PEI we provide a variety of standard and value added trucking services using our own fleet. We also perform air freight forwarding, supplying shippers with numerous time based delivery options.

In many cases, shippers realize lower shipping rates and better delivery time by integrating truck and air transport. PEI can examine your shipping process for opportunities to integrate these shipping methods.

Regardless of your needs, PEI has one goal: to supply the most cost effective and time efficient shipping options, whether with our own fleet or by connecting you with another carrier.

Unlike many freight franchises, our on time delivery rate is close to 100%, and our customer service options are designed to let customers stay in close contact. To see if we can save you money and improve the timeliness of your shipments, call us today.

Known as third party logistics (3PL) providers due to their tertiary role in the shipping process, freight brokers offer two benefits that standard carriers and in- house logistics departments often do not: low shipping cost and fast delivery. Truck brokerage agents that demonstrate these benefits typically offer the following shipping services:

Full Truckload
In full truckload (TL) shipping, a semi trailer is filled with freight from a single shipper. Intended for high quantity producers, TL shipping can offer low cost and fast delivery by eliminating warehousing, freight transfer while en route, and traveling nonstop to the delivery destination. Low quantity producers that choose to ship large loads can also take advantage of TL shipping.

Less than Truck Load
In less than load (LTL) shipping, a semi-trailer is filled with the partial loads of two or more shippers, who split the cost of the load according to freight volume. LTL transport offers low quantity producers and an economical alternative to parcel and TL shipments. However, depending on the number of delivery stops along the shipping route, LTL shipments can take longer to deliver than TL shipments. Break stations and cross docking can improve the delivery time of LTL shipments.

Value Added Services
Value added services accommodate specific types of shipments, such as tradeshow shipments, flatbed shipments, time sensitive shipments, and logistics loads, to name a few.

If you need a value added truck service, a truck brokerage agent should provide it. At PEI, we offer the following value added services, among others: date specific delivery, flatbed loads, logistics loads, refrigerated loads, and trade show loads.

PEI has the Truck Services You Need

PEI is an asset-based 3PL provider that offers carrier services and freight brokerage. If we cannot offer you the best trucking arrangement, we will find the carrier that can. As a testament to our logistics, 97% of our shipments are delivered on time. Our company provides excellent solutions when searching for freight agencies.

In addition to supplying standard and value added trucking services, we also perform air freight forwarding—facilitating national and international air shipments. We also offer value added export services that simplify difficult shipments and the documentation process.

If your shipping process meets your needs in part, but not in full, call PEI, and let our truck brokerage agents review your needs. If we cannot offer you a better solution with our own fleet, we will find a carrier that can.