As businesses work to expand and optimize their supply chains, freight transportation has become an area of critical importance. One of the most efficient ways to move large quantities of goods is through Full Truckload (FTL) Freight. 

It’s the go-to for companies that frequently rely on high-volume shipments, as it offers some sizable advantages in terms of speed, security and cost-efficiency. 

That said, FTL freight can present challenges, particularly when scaling operations or confronting certain logistics complexities. This is where partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider can make a big difference. 

What Exactly is Full Truckload Freight? 

FTL freight is shipping that involves using the entire capacity of a truck to move your goods. This is usually the best option when an organization has enough cargo to fill the whole truck OR when the shipment is too large, fragile or time-sensitive to combine with other loads. 

Unlike less-than-truckload or LTL freight, where multiple shippers share space in a truck, FTL freight dedicates the entire truck to a single customer’s shipment. 

Some of the advantages of FTL Freight include:

• Shorter transit times. If speed is a major priority for your business, FTL freight is a smart solution. Because the truck is only dedicated to a single shipment, it’s going to be from Point A to Point B directly, without stopping at numerous terminals or delivery destinations. Direct routes are often essential for seasonal inventory, perishable goods or time-sensitive shipments. 
• Lower risk of damage. With full-truckload freight, your goods are loaded once and unloaded once. The less handling and exposure your goods endure, the less chance something is going to get broken or damaged. If you’ve got high-value or fragile items, FTL freight might be the way to go, even if you don’t have enough volume to fill the entire truck. 
• Cost efficiency for larger shipments. FTL freight is pricey - but only if you’re shipping smaller volumes. Sometimes that cost is worth it if you need the shipment to arrive fast or with minimal handling. But once you get to the point where your volume fills all or most of the truck, the cost-per-unit is significantly lower with FTL freight compared to LTL freight. 
• Better security. Fewer stops, less handling, less exposure – all contribute to lower risk of theft, tampering or loss. This may be an important consideration for companies shipping sensitive, valuable or high-security items. 
• Flexibility and customization. FTL freight offers greater control and flexibility when it comes to planning routes, delivery windows and special shipping requirements. Because the truck is dedicated solely to a single customer, schedules can be more easily adjusted to fit specific operational needs of that customer.

Ohio FLT Freight & Trucking in Action

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports Ohio’s freight system transported 1+ billion tons of goods worth over $1.2 trillion in a single recent year. 

Ohio is a top state for logistics and distribution, thanks to its central location and proximity to customers and key markets across the U.S., as well as its multimodal state infrastructure. According to the ODOT, more than 60% of the population in both the U.S. and Canada is within a day’s drive from Ohio. 

But businesses make transportation choices that balance their shipment volumes, cost and distance, as well as access. Each mode of transportation has its own unique benefits and challenges. 

Trucking in general is important to a lot of operations because it’s often the only immediate modal connection some establishments have. It’s also important for first- and last-mile movement of goods. Although trucking tends to cost a bit more and have a bit less capacity compared to rail, it’s usually the go-to option for moderate-to-high-value goods that need to be moved in longer distances over a short period of time.  

FTL Freight is just one of the modes of transportation within trucking, but it’s popular for businesses shipping high-volume. 

Working with a dedicated third-party logistics company for Cleveland, Ohio FTL Freight is a smart strategy that can help address some of the challenges of full-truckload freight shipping. At On Time Delivery & Warehouse, we help FTL freight clients cope with capacity fluctuations, cost sensitivities, complex route management and compliance/regulatory challenges. 

Leave the logistics to us! With the right 3PL partner, businesses can enjoy faster transit times, reduced costs, enhanced security and greater flexibility – ultimately allowing them to focus more energy on their core operations. 

Need more information about our Ohio FTL Freight Trucking and Delivery Services? Contact us today!