Did you know that around 70% of all the freight moved in the U.S. comes from trucking? Business landscapes and ecommerce dynamics in the U.S are continually shaped by trucking and logistics, acting as the silent yet robust backbone of the nation’s economy.
In particular, LTL shipping has emerged as a cost-efficient and flexible option for businesses. With increased connectivity and a heightened focus on efficiency, LTL shipping has become an essential component of the overall supply chain — enabling businesses to optimize their freight operations, reduce costs, and provide timely delivery to their customers, driving the success of the American business ecosystem.
Our comprehensive guide aims to clarify the nuances of LTL shipping, providing valuable insights to business owners, supply chain managers, and logistics coordinators seeking to leverage its many benefits.
Introduction to LTL Shipping
LTL stands for less-than-truckload or less-than-load shipping. The term refers to the transportation of relatively small freight that doesn’t require the full space of a standard truck trailer. It is commonly used when businesses have shipments that are smaller than a full truckload (FTL).
Typically, LTL shipments weigh between 150 and 15,000 pounds. These are freight shipments that are too large for parcel carriers but too small to necessitate the use of an entire truckload. The freight usually occupies less than 24 feet of trailer space.
Instead of booking an entire truck for smaller loads, LTL allows multiple shippers to share space on the same truck, each paying for their portion of the trailer space. The shared space model is what makes LTL shipping economically viable for small to medium-sized businesses, allowing them to only pay for the space their freight occupies while benefiting from the efficiencies of full-scale truckload transport.
It’s easy to see how LTL shipping plays a pivotal role in the logistics industry.
It helps businesses with smaller shipment sizes save costs and reduce wastage by eliminating the need to rent an entire trailer. Moreover, it enables logistics providers to maximize efficiency and profitability by filling their trucks to capacity with shipments from different businesses.
This approach makes economic sense and contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing the number of partially-empty trucks on the roads.
Why Choose ATS Logistics for LTL Shipping?
Choosing the right LTL shipping logistics partner is crucial for the smooth operation of your business. In this context, ATS Logistics emerges as a reliable and trusted partner that understands the value of your time and money.
Cincinnati’s Premier Logistics Provider
ATS Logistics is a premier logistics provider that offers a range of shipping services, including LTL shipping. We have decades of experience in LTL logistics and freight transportation. We’ve built our reputation on providing reliable, practical, and efficient transportation services to businesses of all sizes. Our team of logistics professionals is experienced in all aspects of LTL logistics, ensuring that your goods are in safe hands. We offer a range of services, including LTL, FTL, expedited shipping, international, and drayage.
Nationwide Reach
ATS Logistics serves businesses across the country. Partnering with a nationwide provider like ATS Logistics comes with several benefits, including access to a larger network of carriers, more efficient shipping routes, and better rates. With ATS Logistics, you can be sure that your goods will arrive at their destination on time and in perfect condition.
Key Features of LTL Shipping
LTL shipping offers unique benefits that make it an optimal choice for many businesses. It has three key features — all of which offer direct benefits for businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized ones.
- Cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency: Businesses only pay for the portion of the truck they use. LTL shipping eliminates the need for each company to bear the full cost of an entire truckload, making it ideal for smaller loads or shipment sizes.
- Flexibility in shipment sizes and types: This adaptability allows for the cost-effective transportation of smaller inventory, orders, or consignments, creating an efficient solution for businesses with diverse shipping requirements.
- Reduced carbon footprint compared to FTL: By maximizing the use of truck space and consolidating multiple shipments into one truck, LTL shipping contributes to fewer trucks on the road, leading to lower CO2 emissions.
Advantages of Using ATS Logistics for LTL Services
As a leader in the logistics industry, ATS Logistics is committed to providing excellent and personalized LTL shipping solutions to meet your specific needs. Our dedicated team of logistics experts works closely with our network of carriers to ensure that we always have the right capacity for your shipments — no matter the size, circumstance, or complexity.
Expertise and Experience
With ATS Logistics as your LTL shipping partner, you leverage decades of industry experience and a proven track record of reliability and efficiency. Our specialized knowledge empowers us to navigate complex shipping scenarios seamlessly, offering you peace of mind and assurance that your shipments will always reach their destination on time and in excellent condition — no matter the size, type of shipment, or destination.
Advanced Technology and Tracking
In the dynamic and fast-paced world of logistics, real-time information and transparency are quintessential. Advanced technology and tracking systems adopted by ATS Logistics help elevate the LTL shipping experience of our partners. Our state-of-the-art tools enable you to monitor your shipments in real-time, providing invaluable data about the shipment’s status, location, and anticipated delivery time.
How LTL Fits Into the Broader 3PL Services
Within the broader landscape of third-party logistics (3PL) services, LTL shipping serves as a versatile and cost-effective tool, especially for businesses with smaller freight volumes.
In a comprehensive logistics strategy, LTL shipping plays a pivotal role — providing the perfect balance between cost and efficiency. It becomes the ideal choice for businesses that don’t require the speed of expedited shipping or the capacity of FTL.
Unlike full truckload (FTL) shipping, LTL shipping allows you to pay only for the space your shipment occupies, making it an economical choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Compared to expedited shipping, the premium speed comes at a higher tariff.
Final Thoughts
LTL shipping is an integral part of a comprehensive logistics approach, providing flexibility in managing various shipment sizes and frequencies, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and supporting the strategic business goals.
Partnering with a premier logistics provider like ATS Logistics has many benefits, including access to a larger network of carriers, more efficient shipping routes, and better rates. Contact ATS Logistics today to learn more about our LTL shipping services and how we can help your business. You may also visit our website to request a free quotation.