LTLers evolving into multimodalism to survive: JOC

NEWARK, N.J. – The key to survival for LTL carriers in these uncertain post-recessionary times is reinvention.

In a cover story this week, the Journal of Commerce is reporting that to win back the nearly $10 billion in revenue it lost during the recession, the LTL sector is moving beyond pallets and existing domestic networks toward global multimodal offerings.

Larger carriers at last are redefining what less-than-truckload means by addressing "inventory strategy changes, distribution center repositioning and the increasing overseas origin of goods such as apparel, which, when domestically manufactured, was the lifeblood of LTL."

"It’s as much about helping shippers figure out how to move the goods as it is about moving the goods," UPS Freight President Jack Holmes is quoted. "If you are going to be there, you have to do more for the customer.

"True LTL is still goods the shipper wants moved on a pallet, either multiple goods shrink-wrapped or heavier freight. The issue is, when do those goods mode shift?" 


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