We are pleased to report that most of our service centers in the Southeast US are now operational, ranging from limited to full service, with the exception of Miami. The Miami area continues to see localized flooding, power outages and road closures. As operations resume in all locations, shipping and pickup delays may continue as backlogs are cleared out. Please see ABF Service Advisories for additional updates.
We are pleased to report that as of Friday, Sept. 1, our Houston operation is open with limited service. With many area businesses still closed due to water, infrastructure and other issues, full service resumption is expected to take some time, and we appreciate your patience. Please contact your account manager for any additional questions.
From raw material headed to a production plant to a finished product on its way to a customer, every item your business ships is somehow tied to revenue. And because each shipment has the potential to impact profits, it’s important to find ways to manage transportation costs while still ensuring your freight arrives damage-free. Utilizing proper packaging can accomplish both goals — especially in the less-than-truckload (LTL) environment.
Due to changes in freight profile (like bulkier items) and other less-than-truckload (LTL) trends, it’s more important than ever for ArcBest® customers to provide accurate details about their shipments when getting a quote. While weight and freight class are still necessary pieces of information, cubic footage is now an additional pricing factor. Use the steps below to accurately measure your freight and calculate its cubic footage.
Oversized items such as industrial machinery and military equipment can present logistical challenges if you aren’t familiar with how to transport them. These shipments typically require special handling, optimized routing and additional permits because they may not be able to travel on all roadways due to their size and weight. Understanding what an oversize load is, what weight limitations could apply and what other requirements are needed can make the transportation process go more smoothly.
Here’s what you need to know about ABF Freight service operations in the wake of Hurricane Matthew:
Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches and lush landscape, with much of the island’s appeal due to its tropical location and peaceful isolation. While living on an island has its obvious benefits, Hawaiian businesses face a different set of challenges than those in the continental United States. Because Hawaii is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, goods must travel via ocean or air transportation from the mainland.
If you’re shipping anything, you need to document the journey of your cargo from start to finish. That’s why you’ll need to fill out a bill of lading. A bill of lading, sometimes referred to as a BoL, is a vital form issued by a carrier to a shipper. It acts as a contract or trade agreement of the movement of goods between the shipper and the consignee, and it can also detail the method and payment of the shipment.
For those new to pallet shipping, a pallet is basically a portable platform used to bundle items and provide support when a shipment is lifted by a forklift, front loader, pallet jack or other jacking device. To keep everything in place, items on a pallet are normally secured with materials such as stretch wrap, straps or pallet bands. Pallets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a range of materials.