• Getting a Quote on Your Next Truckload Shipment

    10/27/2014 — Matt Nagel

    Do you have a truckload shipment ready to be sent out? Looking to expedite the process of obtaining a quote for that truckload shipment? One way to quickly and efficiently get your truckload shipment on its way is to have all the information necessary before calling PartnerShip for a quote. Below is a list of tips to follow before picking up a phone or shooting out an email about your truckload shipment.

    1.       Know the Basics – Where is the shipment picking up and where is it going? Are appointment times necessary – does the shipment need a specific pickup or delivery time/date? How many pieces, what type of packaging is being used, and what is the weight of the shipment? All of these questions need to be the answered before getting a truckload rate.

    2.       Equipment Type – Truckload shipments can have many different requirements - dry van, flat bed, refrigerated, to name a few. Determining the correct option for your specific shipment is an important part of the truckload shipping process and can affect variables like carrier availability. Need more help determining which equipment your shipment requires? Check out our truckload equipment options post for more information.

    3.       Commodity – What are you shipping? A basic description of the contents of your shipment is enough to get you an accurate rate on your pending truckload shipment.

    4.       Value of the Shipment – It is important to know the value of the goods you are transporting. Even though most carriers have cargo legal liability coverage, typically these policies have limits of $100,000 per trailer; there is no longer any federal requirement for motor carriers to carry cargo insurance. If we know the value of your move, we can ensure the carrier that moves your load has adequate coverage or even obtain additional coverage if necessary. The good news is that PartnerShip has a stringent carrier on boarding process ensuring the safe, most reliable carriers. All of our partner carriers are fully insured with industry standard cargo coverage.

    Keeping these tips in mind when obtaining a truckload shipment quote will help ensure quick and accurate quotes.

    Do you have a truckload shipment you would like to quote today? Visit PartnerShip.com/TLQuote for a free, no obligation quote today!


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  • Truckload Equipment Options

    10/20/2014 — Matt Nagel

    TruckloadTruckload shipping is the movement of large amounts of freight - usually exceeding 10,000 lbs and enough to fill an entire semi-trailer. Every shipment is different and needs the proper equipment to ensure a safe and efficient trip from pickup to delivery. Determining the correct option for your specific shipment is an important part of the truckload shipping process and can affect variables like carrier availability. Below is a list of some of the more common equipment choices, what they are, and how they are used.

    Dry Van – This is the most common form of truckload shipping and is the option best used with standard packaged freight that does not need to be temperature controlled. The typical 53-foot van trailer can haul 44,000 pounds or up to 26 standard sized pallets of cargo.

    Flatbed – Flatbed trailers are used to haul shipments of large, heavy, and oversized loads that cannot easily fit within a dry van. While flatbed shipping may sound straightforward, there are different options within the flatbed category that can throw you for a loop – single-drop, double-drop, and stretch trailers, to name a few. The PartnerShip team of shipping experts is here to make recommendations based on your flatbed shipping needs.

    Refrigerated – Often referred to as “reefers”, refrigerated shipments require temperature controlled trailers. This equipment is often used to haul perishable food, beverages, medicine, plants, or even sensitive equipment. The refrigeration unit on the truck keeps the cargo at the exact temperature specified by the customer.

    Chances are that your truckload shipment fits into one of the categories of equipment above. If your shipment falls outside of the above options, our team of dedicated representatives and our truckload brokerage department stand ready to help you find the best option for your shipment. We’ve been helping companies with their shipments for 25 years and we have a wealth of experience transporting all commodities and materials at all weights and sizes. We were even named one of NASTC’s best brokers!

    Do you have a truckload shipment you’d like to get a quote for today? Visit PartnerShip.com/TLQuote to get a free quote on your dry van, flatbed, or refrigerated shipment today.


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  • How to Pack Your FedEx® Small Package Shipments

    10/20/2014 — Leah Palnik

    describe the imageWe recently posted about the new package laboratory that FedEx opened to test and design packages for a wide variety of products that their customers ship. This new facility will prove to be very beneficial for customers with specific packaging needs. However, even the simplest packages need to pass one basic test – getting your shipment to its destination safely and securely. Here are some tips for packing your FedEx small package shipment like a pro:

    Boxing
    When you select a box for your shipment, make sure to match it appropriately to the size and weight of the items you are shipping. Avoid using a box that would leave an abundant amount of empty space as this could cause a cost increase if your shipment is subject to DIM weight pricing. It will also make it more difficult to ensure your product is secure in the box, helping to prevent any damages. For heavier items, use double-walled or thick corrugated boxes. If you are reusing a box, be sure to remove all old labels, and make sure it's high-quality, with no holes, tears, or dents.

    Cushioning
    Choose cushioning with enough density to keep items from shifting. It’s also good practice to wrap and tape all sharp or protruding edges on the items you’re shipping. You will also want to bind printed material together or secure any loose items together. These precautions help to prevent any damages to your product or to the packaging itself.

    Labeling
    Place your label on the package's largest surface and secure it firmly with your hand. When using a pouch, remove the peel-off strip and firmly seal the flap. For luggage, travel cases, or other containers with handles, label your item with a tie-on tag (available at FedEx Office locations). For wood, plastic, or metal containers be sure to use labels with extra adhesive. While not required, it is also a good idea to put a copy of your label inside your package. This way FedEx can still make the delivery in the event your outer label comes off.

    Sealing
    With your box properly packed, apply at least three strips of packing tape (no duct or masking tape) that is at least 2" wide evenly across all flaps and seams, top and bottom, using the H taping method. You will also want to avoid taping over your FedEx label.

    Through an association shipping program managed by PartnerShip, you can receive exclusive discounts on select FedEx services. If you belong to an association we work with, take advantage of our free shipping benefits today. If you’re not sure if you qualify for one of our FedEx small package shipping programs, contact us and we’ll find the solution that’s right for you.


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  • Introducing the New FedEx Package Lab

    10/20/2014 — Leah Palnik

    describe the imageEarlier this year, FedEx opened a new package laboratory to better serve their customers. With more than 30,000 square feet of space, this facility allows FedEx to test and design packages for a wide variety of products that their customers may ship – perishables, glass, electronics, and any other items that require special attention.

    This new industry-leading facility is the result of three years of design and development work. It uses the latest technology and testing protocols, including equipment that drops, squeezes and shakes various forms of packaging to test their strength and effectiveness.

    The facility’s advanced environmental controls maintain the temperature and humidity in the laboratory’s preconditioning room and materials testing room. In fact, they can simulate any place FedEx ships, from the desert to the rainforest to the Arctic.

    The lab’s unique features include:

    • Altitude chamber  (Site level to 100,000 feet)
    • Temperature chamber (-90°F to +350°F)
    • Humidity chamber (within 2% tolerance)
    • Two drop testers
    • Three vibration tables
    • Compression table
    • Automated sample table
    • 5-ton crane for testing skidded freight
    • Forklift course for testing skidded freight
    • Material testing laboratory
    • Wood shop
    • Other specialty design and testing equipment

    You can take advantage of this new facility by submitting a sample of the packages you currently use for a variety of performance tests; or you can even request package-design assistance by downloading and completing the FedEx Packaging Design Application.

    PartnerShip customers come from a wide variety of industries and this new package lab has the versatility to meet the needs of customers of all shape and sizes. Through an association shipping program managed by PartnerShip, you can benefit from these services and receive exclusive discounts on select FedEx® services.  If you belong to an association we work with, take advantage of our free shipping benefits today. If you’re not sure if you qualify for one of our FedEx small package shipping programs contact us and we’ll find the solution that’s right for you.


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  • PartnerShip Selected as a Crain's FAST 50 Company

    10/20/2014 — Scott Frederick

    PartnerShip - Crain's Fast 50Yesterday Crain's Cleveland Business announced its inaugural Crain'sFAST 50 class - and PartnerShip LLC was selected as one of the companies recognized! According to the announcement, Crain’s FAST 50 recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, innovative business tactics and skyrocketing revenue growth of the 50 fastest-growing companies in Northeast Ohio.

    To be eligible for the Crain's FAST 50, businesses could be either publicly traded or privately-held, at least five years old, have a had at least $5 million in 2013 revenues, and be located in Northeast Ohio. Also, eligible businesses could not have more than 1 year of declining revenue. 

    Crain's will be hosting a live event on November 5 to announce the top #10 among the FAST 50. Additionally, the full rankings will be revealed in the November 10 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business magazine.

    PartnerShip, along with many of the other FAST 50 companies, will be sharing our newfound status via social media channels using the #Crains50 hashtag. You can follow PartnerShip on Twitter at @PartnerShipLLC and you can followCrain's Cleveland Business at @CrainsCleveland.

    We're very proud to have been named to the first-ever Crain's FAST 50 class. PartnerShip® has been serving the shipping needs of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio area businesses for 25 years. We are more than a Cleveland area freight broker – we are a team of dedicated Ohioans that share that same passion for community, and for the shipping services we provide. If you're located in Northeast Ohio and have shipping needs, please click the button below to learn more about how PartnerShip can help.

    Northeast OhioShipping Services


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  • Estes Now a PartnerShip LTL Carrier

    10/20/2014 — Matt Nagel

    https://www.partnership.com/Quote/public_free_quote_ltlEstes LogoPartnerShip has secured another carrier alliance, with Estes Express Linesthe 6th largest LTL carrier in the United States - to provide our customers with an additional option for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Estes brings reliable, first-class LTL freight shipping services and additional solutions to PartnerShip customers.

    Estes, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, was established in 1931 and has provided top-quality transportation solutions ever since. Throughout the years, high integrity and an unwavering commitment to customers have guided their growth from a small, one-man operation to one of the top carriers in the industry. Today, Estes has almost 15,000 employees and over 24,000 trailers making them the largest privately held LTL carrier in North America.

    Estes offers a full spectrum of shipping and supply management services for virtually any destination in the world. PartnerShip customers now have access to Estes world class services, including:

    • LTL Freight – Fast, reliable services to regional, national, offshore and international destinations throughout North America and beyond
    • Time Critical – Guaranteed, expedited, or time- and date-definite service
    • Volume and Truckload – cost-saving volume LTL and full truckload services
    Estes Domestic Coverage:
    Estes Coverage Map

    If you have any questions about shipping with Estes through PartnerShip, contact us today at 800-599-2902 or email sales@PartnerShip.com. If you're ready to ship now, click the button below for a FREE rate quote on an upcoming LTL freight, truckload, expedited, or tradeshow shipment.

    Get a FREE Quote! 


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  • Infographic: PartnerShip Benefits for Shippers and Carriers

    10/20/2014 — Scott Frederick

    PartnerShip LLC is a leading shipping solutions provider to businesses across North America. The value we bring as a 3PL/freight broker - as our name implies - is that we create meaningful "partnerships" with carriers and shippers. In particular, our online PartnerShip.com freight management tools create the visibility and transparency to information that allows even small shippers to get the same benefit of scale normally reserved for large shippers only.

    Using PartnerShip.com, shippers get access to competitive, bookable rates with over a dozen of most reputable LTL freight carriers in the industry. PartnerShip.com users also gain access to competitive truckload rates not available in the open market, as well as helpful tools to schedule shipments, create bills of lading, track shipments, view shipment history, pay invoices, and more.

    The following Infographic is a simple illustration of how PartnerShip brings benefits to both shippers and carriers.

    Infographic: PartnerShip Benefits

    Whether you're a shipper looking for help managing your transportation, or a carrier looking for quality loads and quick payment -- if you're ready to take advantage of the benefits that a true PartnerShip® brings, then click one of the buttons below to get started.

    Get a Free Freight Quote      Become a PartnerShip Carrier

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  • 25 Prizes in 25 Weeks - Final Results!

    10/20/2014 — Matt Nagel

    25 weeks ago PartnerShip started our 25 prizes in 25 weeks promotion as a way to say thank you to our customers that have been with us every step of the way. We kept you updated by posting winners periodically:


    Today we wrap up this promotion by sharing the last of our winners with you below:

    Week 21: Mylynda from Red Rock Industries

    Week 22: Kevin from Kirkwood Bookstore

    Week 23: Delight from HLSCC Bookstore

    Week 24: Michael from LS Mold Inc.

    Week 25: Shelly from Midwest Aviation

     











    Congratulations to our latest winners and to all of our past winners who received a "PartnerShip 25th Anniversary Prize Pack". We’d also like to thank everyone who provided pictures and participated in this promotion. We have enjoyed working with you these last 25 years and look forward to the next 25 years of providing savings on shipping services to customers across North America!

    Also, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the PartnerShip 25th Anniversary Thank You Message and PartnerShip Employees Reflect on our 25th Anniversary.


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  • Cold Package Shipping with FedEx

    10/20/2014 — Matt Nagel

    By working with the most reputable carriers in the country, we are able to offer our customers many different services to fit their shipping needs. One of these services is Cold Shipping Package provided by FedEx. This temperature-controlled packaging system for shipping sensitive products across the country or around the world serves as a needed solution to many of our customers shipping food, medicine, or anything else that needs to stay cold during transit. The packaging technology uses a special cooling device to evaporate water over time, maintaining a constant 2–8°C environment inside the package for up to 96 hours.

    The Cold Shipping Package from FedEx features:

    • Smaller, lighter packaging that weighs less than half of some gel-pack systems, which translates into lower shipping costs and labor savings.
    • No complicated gel packing instructions since there’s no fridge or frozen preparation or preconditioning required.
    • Peace of mind knowing that your temperature-controlled shipments are in the custodial control of the secure FedEx® network.
    • Reusable boxes (replacement cooling devices available), making shipping to and from events and tradeshows easy and cost-effective.

    What cold shipping package sizes are available?
    FedEx Cold Pack Shipping

    If you would like to learn more about cold shipping options available through FedEx, go to fedex.com/coldshipping. There you can order supplies, get more information about cold shipping solutions, and read real world success stories. Also, be sure to check out the short video below about Cold Shipping provided by FedEx.

    To learn more about packaging options and best practices, download our free white paper: The Ultimate Guide to Packaging Your Shipments


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  • PartnerShip Recognized as a Best Broker by NASTC

    10/20/2014 — Scott Frederick


    NASTC Best BrokerPartnerShip was recently approved for Best Broker membership status with The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC).

    NASTC was established in 1989 to bring together small trucking companies for the purpose of sharing transportation information, education, certification, buying power, lobbying effort, discounts, products and management services to level the industry playing field.

    In 1991 the NASTC established a Best Broker / Associate Member program for referred and quality rated freight brokers wanting to do business with its 3,600+ member trucking companies. Only brokers that have an excellent track record and credit history are invited to apply. Presently, NASTC has only 250 designated Best Broker / Associate members. Minimum requirements include: three+ years in business, reference status and a good “low risk” score through credit reporting agencies of “80” or higher. Approximately 138 NASTC Best Brokers, including PartnerShip, are also members of Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) - the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce.

    "Finding equipment and capacity with reliable, high-quality carriers is often the key to success for a freight broker," saysPolly Gordon, truckload brokerage manager for PartnerShip. "Also, small truckers want to do work with only the best freight brokers in the business since their reputation, equipment, and livelihood is on the line. Having Best Broker membership status with NASTC really opens the doors for PartnerShip to work with the best small carriers in the industry, and for them to work with a reputable 3PL/broker like PartnerShip that has 25 years of experience and a proven track record of success."

    If you're a shipper interested in PartnerShip Truckload Brokerage Services, I encourage you to let us provide you with a free, no-obligation rate quote on your next load (or click the button below). If you're with a trucking company and you're interested in becoming a PartnerShip carrier, we provide a quick and easy-to-complete carrier application form online for your convenience.

    Get a FREE Truckload Quote!


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  • Congratulations to PartnerShip Quest for Quality Carriers

    10/20/2014 — Scott Frederick


    LM 0814coverJust like last year, many of the PartnerShip freight carriers were again recognized with Quest for Quality awards in 2014. This year, 7,451 Logistics Management magazine readers offered their valuable insight and helped the publication maintain the Quest for Quality as the premier benchmark study of logistics and transportation service excellence for 31 years.

    In order to be a “winner,” a company had to receive at least five percent of the category vote.Transportation service providers are rated on five key criteria: On-time Performance, Value, Information Technology, Customer Service, and Equipment & Operations.

    Here are the PartnerShip carriers that received awards this year:

    • National LTL Freight:

      • National: FedEx Freight, Con-way Freight

      • Multi-Regional: FedEx FreightOld Dominion, UPS Freight

      • Surface Package: FedEx Ground, UPS

    • Regional LTL Freight:

      • Northeast/Mid-Atlantic U.S.: New PennPitt Ohio

      • South/South Central U.S.: Southeastern Freight Lines

      • Midwest North/Central U.S.: Dayton Freight Lines

    • Truckload/Specialized:

      • Dry Freight: Pitt Ohio, Con-way Truckload, Schneider National

      • Expedited: UPS UrgentFedEx Custom Critical, OD ExpeditedNew PennPitt Ohio, Reddaway

    • Air Express:
      • Air Express: FedEx Express

    On behalf of PartnerShip, our employees, and the thousands of our customers that rely on your services as part of our shipping programs - congratulations to all of the carriers that won Quest for Quality awards this year! PartnerShip works with only the best carriers in the industry - and you've all proven to be in that category once again. If you're with a carrier that is not working with PartnerShip, start the process of becoming a PartnerShip carrier here.

    Become a PartnerShip Carrier


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Awards & Affiliations

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