Introducing Our PartnerPets!

08/27/2018 — Leah Palnik

For many of us at PartnerShip, we work hard during the day and love coming home to our furry companions in the evenings. These PartnerPets brighten up our lives and probably know us better than anyone else. If you’ve ever been curious about the people you talk to over the phone or email, here’s your chance. Get to know our team by meeting the pets who love us!

Bailey Bear Patterson
Her top skill: Sitting and giving paw
Who loves having her a part of the family: Paula Patterson, Account Representative

Riley “Monkey” Shields
Fun fact: He thinks he’s a person
Who he makes laugh on a daily basis: Mandy Shields, Truckload Customer Service Representative

Duke and Annabelle Mounts
Duke’s not-so-hidden talent: flooding the bathroom and waking everyone up at 3am
Annabelle’s party trick: managing to be everywhere at once
Who puts up with their shenanigans: Alayna Mounts, Account Representative

Freya O’Hara
Special ability: climbing up slides and running into things
Who puts food in the bowl: Alecia O’Hara, Account Representative

Onyx Samples
Superpower: napping and getting into things he’s not supposed to
Who dresses him in awesome costumes: Dean Samples, Account Representative

Yoshi and Tobias Deming
Why Yoshi’s a good boy: He finds discarded human snacks on every single daily walk
The superior skill of Tobias: Beating his brother to the punch while playing fetch - too slow, Yosh!
Who lets them live their best life: Jen Deming, Marketing Associate

Gigi “the Gig” Korhely
Her strengths: letting every dog have it when they walk past the house…from the comfort of the window
Who takes her to the beauty salon on the regular: Keith Korhely, Senior Program Manager

Mocha Magazzine
The top skill on her resume: picking her own beans in the garden
Who she turned into a dog person: Karen Magazzine, Revenue Services Representative

Ginger Arnold
Favorite hobbies: conducting squirrel patrol watch and eating earplugs
Who lets her hog the couch: Josh Arnold, Programmer Analyst

Tucker, Channing, and Kiwi Laudato
Channing’s top skill: squirrel chasing
Tucker’s bff: Channing, of course
Kiwi’s amazing ability: to look like a dinosaur
Who keeps the family together: Vince Laudato, Customer Service Representative

Tyler Kuntz
What he does in his free time: talk (yes, talk!) to the birds that visit the feeders outside the window
Who still feeds him even though he tries to trip him: Aaron Kuntz, Account Representative

Andy McManamon
How he likes to find trouble: jumping over the fence to swim with the ducks in the neighbor’s pond
Who lets him believe he’s a lap dog even though he’s 65lbs: Tim McManamon, Freight Brokerage Sales Manager

Smokey Gamble
How he let’s his hair down: playing catch and going for rides in the car
Who rewards him for not making “accidents” in his cage: Justin Gamble, Senior Account Representative

Meiko Palnik
Redeeming quality: being the official bug spotter (and sometimes killer) in the house
Who puts up with him tearing up the furniture: Leah Palnik, Marketing Manager

Buster Brown Hardman
Why he’s known as a Romeo: he loves snuggling, giving kisses, and sleeping in front of the fireplace
Who hooks him up with the best tuna fish: Nicole Hardman, Senior Carrier Procurement Representative and Brian Hardman, Senior Account Representative

Hank Bowers
Guilty pleasures: sniffing everything, chewing rawhides, and watching Mr. Ed
Who makes sure he’s always ready to celebrate: Joe Bowers, Account Representative

Zion and Marley Horst
Most important duty: Keeping watch for the local wildlife and singing the songs of their people
Who rescued them 7 years ago: Allison Horst, Senior Carrier Procurement Representative

Harry Pupper Maye
What he’s really good at: forcing you to pet and love him
Who is more than happy to pet and love on him: Brenden Maye, Account Representative

Charlie Rinaldi
What makes him happy: eating everything he’s not supposed to and going for rides
Who lets him take the wheel on the RZR: Andrya Rinaldi, Account Representative

Canelo Villela
How he likes to roll: by playing with the kids and neighborhood police officers at the park
Who loves this little escape artist: Damaris Villela, Customer Service Representative

Jovie and Bella Hammersmith
How Jovie likes to chill: with her friends Sammy the squirrel, Manny the chipmunk, and Hopper the rabbit
How Bella spends her free time: by cuddling and being a love bug
Who spoils them: Jennifer Hammersmith, Customer Service Manager

Chunky Diamond
Super skill: Destroying chew-toys
Who thinks he’s really good at cuddling: Tyler Diamond, Account Representative

Leroy Brown Schramm
Claim to fame: running up to 13 miles with his mom and stealing food off of dinner plates
Who is happy to put a roof over his head: Laura Schramm, Office Manager

The “Centa Farm” – Frankie, Bobbi, Ozzie, Cribbs, Dudley, and Jonah Centa
Cribbs’ special skills: swatting at the dogs, drinking water from human cups, and being the namesake of the great Joshua Cribbs
Bobbi’s (very) hidden talent: rarely being seen by anyone
Ozzie’s favorite way to get around: in Dudley’s mouth
Dudley’s M.O.: counter surfing for food and stealing hotdogs from children
Jonah’s claim to fame: being the bark-o-matic 5,000 because he barks at anything and everything
Frankie’s prize winning talent: being a prize from the county fair and being named after the great Francisco Lindor
Who had the genius idea to name them all after Cleveland sports legends: Harry Centa, Senior Program Manager

Looking for a rewarding career that will make your pet proud? We're hiring!

What to Expect With Over Dimensional Freight

08/24/2018 — Leah Palnik

When you’re preparing an over dimensional freight shipment, the number of restrictions and factors to account for can be overwhelming. One mistake can have costly consequences to your bottom line and transit times. However, knowing what to expect when you’re getting your shipment ready will help ensure everything goes smoothly.

One of the reasons it can be challenging to set up an over dimensional shipment is that each state has different legal requirements you have to adhere to. However, there are some common categories that many states have restrictions around:

• Travel time. Many states will restrict the hours that your carrier can be on the road when transporting an over dimensional shipment. Generally, travel is restricted to daylight hours (one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset), which reduces your available time on the road, especially in the winter months when the days are shorter. Some states may also restrict transport during rush hour for major cities, depending on the size of your shipment. You will also need to factor in if you will be shipping close to a major holiday when travel can be restricted both the day of and the day before.
• Escort vehicles. Depending on the states your cargo is traveling through, your carrier may be required to use escort vehicles, also known as pilot vehicles. These vehicles serve a couple different purposes. They help to warn other vehicles on the road and they can check for low hanging wires, bridges, or any other road hazard the truck may encounter. How many escort vehicles you need in the front and/or back will be determined by your shipment characteristics and the states it’s traveling through.
• Route surveys. Safety is a major concern when shipping over dimensional freight. Route surveys are required by some states for certain oversized shipments to help ensure the safety of the load, to prevent public property damage, and protect motorists. During route surveys, a pilot vehicle will go through the exact shipment route proposed to document any potential obstructions or hazards like tight turns or low bridges.
• Safety equipment. Depending on your shipment dimensions, flags and lights may be required on the tractor, trailer, and/or the escort vehicles. This helps with visibility for other motorists on the road. You will typically see red or orange flags and amber lights used.

When shipping over dimensional freight you not only have to follow the state restrictions, but it’s also a requirement to obtain permits from each state your freight passes through. The permits will include information like your shipment dimensions, what you’re shipping, and the origin and destination. It will also spell out the conditions that need to be met as far as safety equipment, escort vehicles, and restricted times. It’s important to note that there are fees for the permits which vary depending on the state.

While there is a lot that goes into planning for an over dimensional load, much of the responsibility falls on the carrier. The carrier creates the suggested route and submits it to the states to obtain the needed permits. The carrier also makes the arrangements for escort vehicles and other safety equipment.

As the shipper, your main concern should be providing the most detailed information possible so everything with the planning process goes smoothly. When requesting a quote, first and foremost, you will need to have your dimensions. The length, width, height, and weight will all determine what kind of state requirements you will need to follow. You will also want to provide information about your commodity including the model number, the serial number, value, and description. On top of that, it’s a good idea to include information about how it will be loaded and unloaded.

Due to the nature of over dimensional freight, you will need to get a quote at least two weeks prior to when you need the load moved. All of the pieces that contribute to moving an over dimensional load take time to secure. These restrictions also affect your transits times. You can estimate 50 miles per hour to travel, but add a cushion to account for route changes or other unforeseen issues.

You can also expect to pay more than what you would with a typical load, with line items for permits, escorts, and an over dimensional surcharge. All of these extra steps take time and cost money, so your quote will be calculated accordingly.

Working with a freight broker is the best way to ensure you’re receiving a competitive price for your shipment. A quality broker will know what questions to ask so that everything is done efficiently and every factor that could affect your shipment is accounted for ahead of time. Contact PartnerShip for your next over dimensional load!

Ask a CTB: Your Shipping Questions Answered

08/21/2018 — Jen Deming

A freight broker is someone who assists shippers with finding qualified carriers to haul available loads, and works within a 3PL (third party logistics) organization by outsourcing shipping and logistics services. These individuals facilitate the relationships between the carrier and the shipper, and will negotiate rates with carriers, arrange the transportation, schedule pick-ups, provide follow-up on tracking, and will often offer claims assistance for loss or damage on behalf of shipper. A freight broker should serve as a shipper's strongest advocate, and is a great resource for expert shipping advice.

There are many advantages to working with a 3PL, such as cost and time savings, additional expertise, and flexibility. A knowledgeable freight broker can custom fit shipping options based on the specific needs of your business. 

Next up: what's the difference between parcel shipping and freight/LTL? Small package shipments are typically under 70lbs but can go up to 150lbs, and are often shipped in your own boxes or carrier supplied packing materials. The packages are shipped singularly and should not be in excess of 108 inches in length. Small package shipments are subject to dimensional weight pricing, which can get expensive, so it may make more sense to ship via a freight service.

LTL or less-than-truckload shipping usually consists of multiple boxes or containers stacked on pallets and are over 150lbs. LTL shipments can utilize multiple modes of transportation such as rail or motor truck, and are sent with other shippers' freight to reduce cost. Depending on the length of the shipping lane, often these shipments are loaded, unloaded, and reloaded at multiple stops throughout transit. If you have multiple pallets (6 or more), need shortened transit time, or require enhanced security, it may make sense to use a truckload service instead of LTL.

Furthermore, what's the difference between LTL and TL? TL (or FTL/Full Truckload) refers to booking a dedicated semi-truck for your shipment, that will not be hauling other cargo along with yours. This option is most economical for shippers who have a very large shipment with multiple pallets, on that requires a lot of space, a high-value and fragile shipment, or one that needs to move at a faster pace. If your business requires strict pick-up windows or appointments for delivery, it may also make sense to work with a dedicated carrier. In the past, I've worked with customers who required set arrival times for pick-up, and though they may not necessitate the ENTIRE space within a 52 ft truck, appreciated the reliability of a dedicated truckload service over an LTL common carrier. Booking a dedicated truck also gives you the option should you need specialized equipment such as a flatbed truck or refrigerated van.

What is an NMFC/ freight class? How do I know which to use for my shipment? You'd be amazed at the variety of customer's freight shipments that I've worked with. From toy makers to hospital supply distributors, I've shipped the craziest stuff, and they all have a specific freight class or NMFC assigned to the category of shipment. The NMFC, or National Motor Freight Classification, can be rated as low as 50 and as high as 500. The higher you go, the higher the rate for your shipment. And details matter! Whether your work table is wood or plastic, assembled or broken down, each factor can affect the class of the freight. So it's important not to guess or mark whatever class you think may save you a few bucks. Freight reweighs and reclassifications are very real, and you don't want to have a $2,000 bill when you have $200 built into the budget. Your freight broker can be a good resource to determine your shipment's correct class - cutting down on costly errors in the long run.

What are these "accessorial" charges on my bill? Can I avoid them? My own customers brought me questions about the unanticipated service charges on their freight bills more often than anything else! Accessorials are fees a carrier charges for additional services. Common examples of these include lift-gate services, residential deliveries, inside pick-up/delivery, oversized freight charges, and limited access pick-ups or delivery. The difficulty with these is that the cost of the fees varies by carrier, and while one may determine one location "limited access", a different carrier may not. Your best bet? It's smart to do your research about every service your require before you get your rate quote. Find out if the pick-up location has a dock and a forklift. Know for certain whether your customer's delivery location is a place of business or their own home. Be accurate in your measurement of your shipment's dimensions and weight. Finally, consult your freight broker for any questions you may have about what incurs charges and what doesn't - they are your best advocate!

Just when you think you have this freight shipping thing figured out, carriers can throw you a curveball. It pays to be vigilant and ask questions of the experts so YOU can be sure you are shipping smarter and staying a step ahead. If you have any questions about your shipping practices, or how the shipping experts and PartnerShip may be able to improve your efficiency and lower your costs, email sales@PartnerShip.com or call 800-599-2902.

The PartnerShip July Carrier of the Month Is… (drum roll please)

08/17/2018 — PartnerShip

PartnerShip works with high-quality freight carrier partners to help our customers ship smarter and stay competitive and we love recognizing our awesome carriers for a job well done!

July’s Carrier of the Month is Salem Ridge Contractors LLC of Waterford, Ohio! They specialize in heavy haul and oversize loads.

The PartnerShip Carrier of the Month program was created to recognize carriers that go above and beyond to help our customers ship and receive their freight. PartnerShip team members nominate carriers that provide outstanding communication, reliability, and on-time performance.

For being our July 2018 Carrier of the Month, Salem Ridge Contractors gets lunch and a nifty framed certificate to proudly hang on their wall. Our gestures may be small but our appreciation is huge!

Interested in becoming a PartnerShip carrier? We match our freight carriers’ needs with our available customer loads because we understand that your success depends on your truck being full. If you’re looking for a backhaul load or shipments to fill daily or weekly runs, let us know where your trucks are and we’ll match you with our shippers’ loads. If your wheels aren’t turning, you’re not earning.

FedEx and UPS Peak Season Surcharges: The Important Differences

08/09/2018 — Leah Palnik

FedEx recently announced that for the second year in a row, it won’t be applying a peak season surcharge on residential shipments. This is good news for retailers who expect a significant amount of e-commerce orders over the 2018 holiday season.

UPS, however, will be instituting a surcharge on residential ground shipments from November 18 through December 1 and then again from December 16 through December 22. UPS will be charging $0.28 per package for most residential shipments using ground services. For UPS air services the fees are as high as $0.99 per package.

UPS delivered around 700 million packages during the 2017 holiday season – a huge jump compared to the rest of the year. Ordering online has become so commonplace and easy for shoppers, and the carriers are feeling the effects. The increase in volume over the holidays drove UPS to introduce this new peak surcharge for the first time last year.

Typically UPS and FedEx have comparable rates and surcharges and will mimic each other’s changes, so this is a notable distinction between the two small package giants.

FedEx is sending a clear message to shippers. “FedEx delivers possibilities every day for millions of small- and medium-sized businesses,” said Raj Subramaniam, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at FedEx Corp. “We are demonstrating our support for these loyal customers during this critical timeframe by not adding additional residential peak surcharges, except for situations where the shipments are oversized, unauthorized or necessitate additional handling.”

It’s important to note that both carriers are implementing charges on larger packages. With the rise of e-commerce, people are ordering items online that they would’ve exclusively purchased in-store in the past – including televisions and appliances. FedEx and UPS have made several adjustments to account for these trends, including a pushback on larger packages. Heavy and bulky packages don’t move through their automated systems and require more attention. FedEx and UPS are putting a price tag on that loss in efficiency and shippers need to stay aware.

FedEx will apply peak surcharges for larger packages from November 19 through December 24:

• $3.20 per package for shipments that necessitate additional handling
• $27.50 per package for shipments that qualify as oversize
• $150.00 per package for shipments that qualify as unauthorized

UPS will apply peak surcharges for larger packages from November 18 through December 22:

• $3.15 per package for shipments that necessitate additional handling
• $26.20 per package for shipments that qualify as large
• $165.00 per package for shipments that qualify as over maximum limits

If you’re not careful, the surcharges can add up fast. These peak surcharges are in addition to the already existing surcharges that apply to larger packages, and any others that may apply including delivery area and residential surcharges.

Retailers should take note of these peak season changes to ensure a profitable 2018 holiday season. If you see a significant amount of online orders over the holidays and ship with UPS, you’ll be paying an extra $0.28 per package, which will eat into your bottom line.

To prepare, take a look at what you shipped last year around the holidays and determine a forecast for this season. From there you’ll be able to see how much more you can expect to spend during the designated peak season. You may find that switching from UPS to FedEx for the busiest time of the year will provide you with a decent cost savings. Depending on the billable weight of your shipment and the destination, the base rate could be lower with FedEx – compounding the savings during peak season. It’s worth evaluating the options, when the holiday season can make or break your year.

There are many factors to consider when deciding how to ship your small package shipments. You need an expert on your side. ParterShip manages shipping programs for over 140 associations, providing exclusive discounts on small package shipments to their members. To find out if you qualify or to learn how you can ship smarter, contact us today.

FedEx and UPS rates will be going up after the holiday season! Make sure you know what to expect so you can mitigate the impact to your bottom line. Our free white paper breaks down where you'll find the highest increases and explain some of the complicated changes you need to be aware of.