Our logistics and inventory operations manager, Chris DeWolfe, talks with Supply Chain Dive about being becoming the shipper of choice in a carrier’s market.
“‘We want to work together so the relationship is a win-win for both parties,’ said Chris DeWolfe, logistics and inventory operations manager for Merfish United, the largest master distributor of pipe and tube products in the U.S. The company seeks to be the shipper of choice by having good communication with the carrier, laying out expectations, and understanding the challenges that they all face.”
“Carriers like to select shippers who can maintain flexibility in their operations. ‘We’ve expanded receiving hours and appointments so drivers are not limited to certain receiving windows, and we’re also modifying our receiving procedures to better support the carriers,’ said DeWolfe. In addition to paying his freight bills on time, DeWolfe also tries to maintain consistent volume with his transportation partners. ‘Regular demand for capacity goes a long way in maintaining the relationship.'”
“As a shipper, DeWolfe tries to balance market realities with service needs. “While we occasionally get in the habit of looking for the lowest rate, sometimes you have to pay a bit more to get the best service,” he said. ‘We need to ensure that our loads are delivered in the allotted time frame and that they are with a carrier we can trust.'”
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Also, click here for our blog addressing current delivery and trucking considerations, including challenges in the era of electronic logs.
Our logistics and inventory operations manager, Chris DeWolfe, talks with @SupplyChainDive about being becoming the shipper of choice in a carrier’s market. https://t.co/lGo2t9XIMA
— Merfish United (@UnitedPipeCorp) April 10, 2018