When you have a need for speed

These providers of expedited transportation services can help you get critical and emergency shipments to their destinations on time.

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 2/1/1998

When you need emergency assistance, call 911. When your freight has an emergency, call an expedited carrier.

Expedited transportation lets shippers move time-sensitive shipments swiftly and with minimal handling. Examples of shipments expedited carriers might handle include critical replacement parts for a production line, extremely perishable products, and materials for a just-in-time manufacturing operation.

Because the stakes are so high, the pressure on carriers is intense. "Failure is not an option for expedited service customers," says Ed Conaway, vice president and general manager of Con-Way NOW. "In many cases, we are the answer that returns control to a situation where a customer has lost control."

Despite such pressures, the number of carriers offering critical-shipment service has grown since Roberts Express pioneered the concept 20 years ago. Last year alone, for example, U.S. Xpress, C.H. Robinson, and Roadway Express joined the pack. Why have so many companies launched expedited services recently? The growth of just-in-time manufacturing, the widespread practice of minimizing inventory, and the drive to reduce cycle times all are increasing demand for expedited services, says Roadway Express spokesman John Hyre.

Although each expedited service has some unique characteristics, they all share some common attributes. For example, each operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They also offer service guarantees that are backed by full or partial refunds. To maintain control over each shipment, the providers have centralized dispatch, shipment coordination, tracking, and communications. The vehicles they operate typically range from pickups to tractor-trailers. An essential piece of equipment for every vehicle is a satellite-based tracking and communication system that includes on-board computers.

The following are some of the major companies offering critical-shipment services. For more information on any of these services, circle the corresponding number on the Reader Service card that appears in the back of this issue.