LM    Topics     Logistics    E-commerce

Quest for Quality 2021: Less-than-truckload (LTL)

Equal to the e-commerce challenge


Ten years ago, the thought of handling e-commerce deliveries hardly excited less-than-truckload executives due to the cumbersome way that deliveries were made. “It wasn’t terribly efficient. It was costly. It was time-consuming. And deliveries to private homes were even worse,” says contributing editor John Schulz who has followed the LTL sector for LM for over 20 years.

However, Amazon, Wayfair and a whole host of e-commerce behemoths changed the game. We’ve watched e-commerce quickly evolve, and we’re happy to report the nation’s leading LTL carriers have transform right along with it.

“Today, LTL carriers are doing lots of middle-mile deliveries to warehouses for those online giants,” says Schulz. “And, as a result, they have become big, reliable customers to shrewd LTL carriers. It was business that was always there, but now LTL carriers are now managing it differently and pricing it smarter—a fact that has led to an economic revival of the LTL sector.”

And according to the readers of Logistics Management, the 23 LTL carriers listed in the following section have not only evolved to meet the grueling e-commerce challenge, they have done so by provide world-class service along the way.

In this year’s National LTL category, FedEx Freight pulls in with an impressive 46.37. FedEx Freight put up top marks in On-time Performance (10.98), Information Technology (8.88) and Equipment & Operations (8.80) on the way to the highest weighted score. XPO took top billing in Value (9.28) and Customer Service (9.35) this year as art of its notable 46.10 weighted score.

Over in the Multi-regional LTL category this year, Old Dominion Freight Line and R+L Carriers put up top marks, scoring well over the weighted average. Old Dominion led the way in On-time Performance (12.84), while R+L took a slight statistical edge in Value (10.80), Information Technology (8.28), Customer Service (10.04) and Equipment & Operations (8.61).

Pitt Ohio put up an impressive 49.94 weighted score in this year’s Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional LTL category. Pitt Ohio led the way in four out of the five attributes categories in the region. Ward Transport Logistics posted a top mark of 10.80 in the Value attribute this year.

In the South/South Central Regional LTL category we find Southeastern Freight Lines (52.34) and Averitt Express (51.55) posting the two highest weighted scores in overall LTL category. Southeastern put up top scores in On-time Performance (13.29), Value (11.52), Customer Service (10.80), and Equipment & Operations (9.00). Averitt scored a notable 9.18 in Information Technology, the highest score in this attribute across the entire LTL category.

Dayton Freight Lines scored a 46.49 weight score in our Midwest/North Central Regional LTL category, while Holland put up a 43.19 making them the only two carriers that scored above the weighted average of 43.11 in the region. Dayton led the way in four of the five attribute categories, with Holland putting up the top mark in Customer Service (9.45).

In the always heavily contested Western Regional LTL category we find six carriers taking home Quest for Quality gold this year, an indication that LM readers are finding excellent service throughout the region. Peninsula Truck Lines led the way in On-time Performance (12.38), Information Technology (8.93), Customer Service (10.13), and Equipment Operations (9.00), while Carlile Transportation put up the top mark in Value (10.82). Oak Harbor Freight Lines rolled in with the highest overall weight score at 47.51.

The Surface Package category is always a two-horse race, and this year we find FedEx Ground pulling in with a notable 47.46 and UPS posting a 43.67. According to our readers, FedEx put up highest marks in all five of our attribute categories.


2021 Quest for Quality Winners Categories

LTL | TRUCKLOAD | RAIL/INTERMODAL | OCEAN CARRIERS | PORTS | 3PL | AIR CARRIERS and FREIGHT FORWARDERS



home page



Article Topics

Magazine Archive
Logistics
E-commerce
Transportation
Motor Freight
E-commerce
Logistics
LTL
Motor Freight
Quest for Quality
Transportation
   All topics

E-commerce News & Resources

ShipStation report examines holiday season shopping preferences
Prologis research paper examines impact of various technologies on logistics real estate efficiency
FedEx reports mixed fiscal first quarter earnings, with Ground up 3%
USPS is gearing up for Peak Season, says it will not levy a holiday surcharge
Amid a muted Peak Season, POLA and POLB volumes are mixed in August
August retail sales see slight gains, reports Commerce and NRF
GXO announces plans to acquire PFSweb
More E-commerce

Latest in Logistics

Uber Freight heralds various new customer-focused supply chain technology offerings
U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are up, for week of September 23, reports AAR
FTR Shipper Conditions Index takes a step back, from June to July
Prologis and Home Depot leadership address the capabilities of AI for logistics
ShipStation report examines holiday season shopping preferences
UPS preps to acquire MNX Global Logistics
Prologis research paper examines impact of various technologies on logistics real estate efficiency
More Logistics

Subscribe to Logistics Management Magazine

Subscribe today!
Not a subscriber? Sign up today!
Subscribe today. It's FREE.
Find out what the world's most innovative companies are doing to improve productivity in their plants and distribution centers.
Start your FREE subscription today.

September 2023 Logistics Management

September 6, 2023 · Logistics operations are facing a human capital crisis that poses a threat to both performance and competitiveness. In this year’s study, our authors explore how organizations can compete for talent in an increasingly limited talent pool; how organizations are competing in an increasingly dynamic business environment; and examine the technologies that shippers now need to use to stay ahead of the curve.

Latest Resources

Do More with the Same in Logistics and Distribution
Download this new white paper to learn best-practice strategies that can help your company do more with the same — optimizing your workforce to weather the current economic climate and pave a successful path forward.
Managing Global Complexity for the Long Term
Motor Freight Special Issue: Finding a way back to “normal”
More resources

Latest Resources

Driving ROI with Better Routing, Scheduling and Fleet Management
Driving ROI with Better Routing, Scheduling and Fleet Management
Improve efficiency and drive ROI with better vehicle routing, scheduling and fleet management solutions. Download our report to find out how.
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Get expert guidance and best practices to help you navigate the cross-border shipping process with ease. Download our free white paper today!

Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
In our latest Special Digital Issue, Logistics Management has curated several feature stories that neatly encapsulate the rise of automated systems and...
Why accurate, real-time location data is a must for efficient operations
Why accurate, real-time location data is a must for efficient operations
Find out how next-generation workforce management apps use accurate, real-time location data to power successful operations in this webinar with Radar CEO...
Should you lease or buy your lift truck fleet?
Should you lease or buy your lift truck fleet?
Leasing critical equipment like lift trucks can offer flexibility, but some lease terms can be complex and costly if you’re not...