New options for time-sensitive deliveries

By Ray Bohman -- Logistics Management, 12/1/1998

Over the past several years, more and more carriers specializing in delivering time-sensitive shipments have come on the scene. These include FedEx, UPS, USPS, and Emery, to mention a few. Many of the shipments they handle need overnight delivery, requiring shipments to move part of the way by air.

Then along came surface carriers performing expedited deliveries--companies such as Roberts Express and Con-Way NOW.

The latest trend--and all you need do to spot it is look at the LTL carriers' ads in recent issues of this publication--is the inauguration of specialized expedited services by the nation's major LTL carriers.

These services are organized differently from the type offered by carriers such as Roberts Express and Con-Way NOW, which are stand-alone companies with their own dedicated equipment. The major LTL carriers expanding into this field offer these expedited services as one of their many specialized services and do not have dedicated fleets. Just about every terminal or service center in their system is able to provide these expedited services. Obviously, most shipments moving long distances require at least some transport by air.

Here's a partial list of some of the LTL carriers offering these services:

* Yellow Freight System. "Exact Express"--Expedited air and ground services. (800) 610-6500.

* Roadway Express. "Precision Delivery"--Guaranteed, exact delivery times. (800) 798-8062.

* Consolidated Freightways. "CF PrimeTime Air"--Supply chain solution for every expedited delivery requirement. (888) CFC-FLYS.

* ABF Freight System. "TimeKeeper"--Guaranteed time-sensitive deliveries. (800) 346-3617.

These carriers generally provide money-back guarantees if they are unable to meet deliveries within a promised window. (As an aside, Con-Way NOW guarantees delivery within a 15-minute window.)

Obviously, expedited deliveries cost more than normal deliveries. And depending on the requirements involved in a particular shipment--like a 3 p.m. Sunday delivery--the added premium can be substantial. On the other hand, many shippers save up to 25 percent over airlines' or airfreight forwarders' rates.

Bear in mind, however, that the expedited services described above are geared toward attracting heavier LTL shipments. They are not designed to compete with overnight deliveries of document envelopes or small-package shipments available through FedEx, UPS, USPS, and other major players in that field.

Ray Bohman is a well-known consultant and author. Mr. Bohman is editor of several highly successful newsletters on transportation and is a consultant to a number of national trade associations. He is president of The Bohman Group, consultants and publishers in the freight-transportation field. His offices are located at 27 Bay Lane, Chatham, MA 02633. Phone: (508) 945-2272.