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Why Flexibility is Key: Combining LTL, FTL, and Partial Truckload for Cost Savings

October 22, 2024
5 min read
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Visualization of multiple shipping options including LTL, FTL, and partial truckloads, with flexibility and cost efficiency emphasized.

In today’s dynamic shipping landscape, flexibility is crucial. For small and medium businesses, combining shipping options—such as Less-than-Truckload (LTL), Full Truckload (FTL), and partial truckload solutions—can be a powerful way to optimize costs, maintain delivery timelines, and serve a broad customer base. Understanding how to use each shipping mode effectively allows SMBs to build a customized logistics strategy that meets specific business needs.

The Benefits of Mixing and Matching Shipping Options

Each shipping type—LTL, FTL, and partial truckload—has strengths and best-use cases. LTL is cost-effective for smaller shipments, while FTL is ideal for larger, single-destination loads. Partial truckload, which fills a truck partially for multiple destinations, provides an alternative for businesses with mid-sized shipments that don’t fill an entire truck. By combining these options, SMBs can create a flexible logistics plan that adapts to demand.

Cost Efficiency

Using flexible shipping methods allows SMBs to optimize costs by aligning the shipping mode with shipment size. For example, a business may use FTL for high-volume, single-destination orders to take advantage of cost savings per unit. In contrast, smaller shipments might benefit from LTL’s shared cost model, and mid-sized loads can leverage partial truckload to avoid paying for unused space. This flexibility can significantly reduce shipping expenses.

Improved Delivery Timelines

By strategically using different shipping types, SMBs can improve delivery timelines and respond to customer expectations. For instance, combining FTL for time-sensitive orders and LTL for standard shipments ensures a balanced approach to speed and cost. This mix of shipping solutions helps businesses meet various delivery expectations without sacrificing efficiency.

Risk Management

Having multiple shipping options also helps reduce risks related to carrier delays, seasonality, or demand surges. If one method becomes impractical, businesses can pivot to another, ensuring a steady supply chain flow. Flexibility in logistics planning is a hedge against the unpredictable nature of today’s supply chain landscape.

Flexible Solutions with Amware

Amware’s LTL, FTL, and partial truckload solutions provide SMBs with the flexibility needed to reduce costs and improve shipping efficiency. Our cloud-based Transportation Management System, Amrate, offers seamless rate comparison and allows businesses to save up to 30% annually on LTL shipping. Amrate easily integrates with existing WMS and ERP systems, making it a valuable tool for logistics optimization.

Contact us today to discover how Amware’s flexible shipping solutions can streamline your supply chain. Request a free trial of Amrate below to start comparing carrier rates and experience seamless logistics management firsthand.

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