The sheer amount of industry knowledge being passed around at Jump Start 2024 has been astounding to behold. From evergreen tips on leadership to concrete strategies for managing volatility, our attendees are leaving with a fuller picture of where the logistics industry stands. On the third and final day, it’s natural to ask: What’s next?

As in every industry, safety is paramount to the effective functioning of LTL shipping. But while this safety mandate may be common sense, staying compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards is a complicated undertaking for any carrier looking to keep their trucks on the road.

Shippers, 3PLs, carriers and other clients are the foundation of SMC³. The company creates innovative logistics technology solutions to help these groups optimize the LTL portions of their supply chains through tools that offer unrivaled shipment visibility, transit-time information and freight rating power.

Recently, we had the privilege to chat with SMC³’s Renee Rubino, to talk about all things Renee, her role, and the importance of building strong relationships with our Alliance Partners!

For years, less than truckload shippers and 3PLs have been gathering volume LTL rates the hard way. Due to a lack of options, when their shipments fit the parameters of a volume LTL move, these transportation users have had to get on the phone to query numerous carriers about their volume LTL pricing, sending countless emails back and forth.

As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, carriers are looking more closely at the weights being disclosed on the bills of lading versus what is arriving on their docks. When they do not match up, carriers often issue a Weight and Inspection (W&I) certificate to account for the discrepancy—which means unexpected costs for the shipper. In this SMC3 LTL Online Education session, we discuss this important process, the potential impact of incorrect weights, and how to navigate to prevent issues. Rick Wey, director of weight and research, retired, and Paul Dugent, executive director of the Digital LTL Council, NMFTA, shared their insights on this weighty topic.