When moving goods either within the UK as well as across Europe or worldwide you will need a good transit packaging strategy to be sure that your products can be transported safely and securely between destinations. Corrugated cases offer an excellent solution and since they are shipped flat they provide the ideal choice for anybody who doesn’t enjoy the space to hold large timber crates and cases.

Corrugated cases come in a variety of different bespoke designs. For example the half slotted or regular slotted versions are a single piece with a glued or taped manufacturer’s joint and featuring either bottom or top flaps, whereas box and lid versions consist of two separate pieces so that one piece may slot securely over the other to secure the contents of the box.

Wooden packing cases present yet another transit packaging solution when the contents you must transport are of a bigger, weightier or more delicate nature. Wooden cases are made to be robust and durable and can simply be stacked to free up use of space. They are also available in various diverse bespoke designs including those with battened ends, panelled ends or diagonal braces.

Both corrugated and timber cases offer many benefits to the environment because they offer a natural, organic and uniquely renewable packaging solution. These cases can be reused again and again and if they are in a state of disrepair they’re able to be recycled – unlike other packaging materials. Timber also offers negative carbon intensity in the production process.

When the environmental advantages are not enough to convince you to utilize corrugated cases or wooden packing cases then think about that by utilizing these sturdy and robust packaging methods you are safeguarding your cherished belongings or completely new merchandise from deterioration during transportation and ultimately we would all pay to help keep our goods safe and sound.

To discover more about corrugated cases and other transit packaging solutions why not stop by the Nicklin site where you can browse their range of wooden packing cases.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

Chances are, you have never considered shipping your auto before now, and are overwhelmed by the prospects of choosing a company. There are some steps to take in locating the right company for you that will help you in this process.

An important thing you want to consider is how readily the company offers to show their insurance policy. Do not trust your car to companies which do not cover the cargo they handle. Even if they seem decent, they are not doing to well if they cannot afford insurance. They are either already in a lot of legal trouble or they are just waiting to swindle a few more customers before they close and escape with the profits of an uninsured, ill-managed business (a sort of hit and run strategy, not uncommon among people who would be businessmen, yet who cannot adequately run a business).

Of course you want an honest company, but you also want one that is well-capitalized and can offer several insurance policies for you to select depending upon your requirements. Your personal insurance may not cover your possessions adequately when shipping your auto. Pick a policy from the shipping company that extends your personal policy to cover this excess. This type of policy is known as excess insurance. Primary insurance is also offered which offers coverage independently of any insurance you own. The company should give you a rundown of the types of damage and accidents common to the industry to aid you in your decision of the coverage you need appropriate to your situation.

Once you have these issues settles, you can move on to the next stage of preparing and submitting your car. There are several types of trucks and services. You have probably seen more open carriers than container carriers around. Open carriers are preferred by many customers because they are less expensive. In many cases the distances the cargo has to travel are particularly large, and if weather is fair open trucks often move out more quickly.

A lot of container shipping is done by sea. Closed carrier trucks are costlier than open carriers. Moreover, companies prefer to wait until a container truck is loaded with a maximum of cars before shipping, which means you will have to wait, perhaps a long time, unless you are willing to pay to compensate them for early delivery.

Inside a closed truck or container your car is more secure. It is less likely to be stolen or damaged by elements outside the shipping process, like weather or vandals. If your car has to endure a long trip or if it is an unusual vehicle, an expensive or fragile collector’s item, and if you want to hold on to what you have already spent a fortune buying and maintaining, best opt for closed carrier shipping.

The dependable companies insure their cargo and will compensate the customer for any damage caused to their vehicle while under their care. They also carry liability insurance of at least $800,000 to cover the damages done to multiple vehicles. Obviously there is no reputable company that profits from the mishandling or harm done to their customers’ property. They want their cargo insured. The dishonest company won’t care and won’t offer adequate insurance and will probably not even mention insurance to you.

If you need to find Alabama Auto Transport companies, Wyoming Auto Transport companies, or auto shipping in any other state, please visit MetroGistics.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

As an auto shipping customer, there are several important questions that we ask ourselves, concerning our vehicle when deciding on the right auto shipping company. How much will it cost to ship my car, truck, or van from point A to point B? How long with the transport take?

Also of prime importance is the safety of the vehicle from the beginning of its journey to the end. You want to receive the vehicle at the end in the same condition as it was in the beginning. This only happens if you take the important step of a thorough inspection of your vehicle before you hand it over to the auto shipping company. Some key points in the inspection follow.

Before and after shipping, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the entire vehicle with a representative from the shipping company. That way you can both agree and sign off on any existing damage before departure, and any new damage that may have happened during transport. Make sure that you get a signed copy of the condition report before turning your car over to the driver.

You will also want to inspect the functionality of the vehicle to make sure that the lights work, the turn signals, and everything else that should function normally when you turn the key. Take pictures inside as well. Things can get knocked around and you don’t want to have to pay to fix these yourself.

Windows are prone to damage when being shipped along with whatever else may be in the auto transporting vehicle. Check all windows and the windshield thoroughly for preexisting cracks and holes. A little crack may not have bothered you before but don’t let it go unnoticed at this point. A small chip can escalate into a big crack that will definitely bother you now.

Okay, so what do you do if you do find damage to your vehicle at journey’s end?

Foremost, you must report any damages immediately. Immediate reporting will stop short any confusion as to how the vehicle sustained the damage. You will then have a much better chance of getting it fixed and not at your expense.

Again, pictures are terrific. Take as many as you can from as many angles as you can. This is one case where a picture is really worth a thousand words. There is no better proof to substantiate a claim than photographic evidence of damages.

If the car did suffer damages, the shipping company will normally allow you to get your own estimate from your usual auto shop and have it repaired there. If you don’t have a usual auto repair place, a dealership is generally a good bet.

Hopefully, your vehicle will not sustain any damages at all. But better to be safe than sorry. By following the above before-and-after-journey steps to inspect your vehicle, you will not go wrong no matter what folly occurs during shipment.

To continue to read about Vehicle Shipping or Auto Transport please stop by our vehicle shipping blog.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

Due to the increasing evidence of our planet’s destruction by environmental pollution and the growing concern among nations, industries have stepped up their efforts to operate in an increasingly environmentally clean manner with large established companies in wealthier nations leading the way. The public awareness has increased to the extent that the waiting list for hybrid cars is growing longer and longer.

Landfill waste and energy consumption is reduced through green homebuilding, which seems to have caught on. Cities start campaign such as those meant to reduce electricity consumption by up to 80% through replacement of regular light bulbs for more effective and economic innovative illumination. One can see great transparent plastic containers in public squares half-filled with discarded bulbs or batteries.

Auto shipping companies are following this path and are attempting to stop the depletion of our natural resources and to reduce global warming. The auto shipping is a rather recent development and is experiencing massive growth in our increasingly global society. Because of their newness, they are keenly aware of modern problems such as environmental pollution of all kinds and have been part of the green movement for years, with very little fanfare.

It is undoubtedly due to this new emergence of the industry that they are able to understand their potential for cleaning up the planet. In the wake of serious environmental pollution caused by container vessels, oil freighters and trucks, to name a few of the master polluters, they must put a great deal of effort into innovative technology to avoid future accidents in their own shipping industry as well as in others. They desire to do this because it is the right thing to do for the environment and the right thing to do for the economic survival of this huge and burgeoning industry.

One rather large auto shipping company has the ability to save up to three million gallons of fuel by some estimations, thereby reducing greenhouse gases by 38 million pounds that would otherwise drift into our atmosphere. The expansion of the industry is a given and with the increasing globalization of our society, their future looks secure. They must expand in a most environmentally friendly way.

Lets do the math. The benefits to our environment of eco-friendly auto shipping companies is staggering. Take a hypothetical case of only one auto shipping company per state, the national savings would amount to around 150 million gallons of fuel and approximately two billion pounds of greenhouse gases not pumped into our atmosphere. If only even half of the auto shipping companies would unite their efforts and support green technology, the result would be to make tremendous progress towards a greener environment.

Obviously, there is an incredible number of personal vehicles being driven on the roads today. There is no one industry that can save us all. But those industries taking the lead in environmentally clean practices should be very proud of their achievements and will stand as an example to other industries to become future-oriented as well. These green industries just may make the transition to becoming technologically and environmentally innovative while remaining in the upper echelons of the industrial world.

For more information on Auto Shipping or Car Transport please visit MetroGistics.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

The auto shipping proves by its rapid expansion that it is an efficient and safe industry with which to do business. At the same time along the way the industry has accumulated valuable experience with regard to technology and methods of operation.

Because of this growth, more entrepreneurs are coming into the business whether or not they have the industry knowledge and resources to offer real competition. Many of these upstarts are entering the shipping business not just because the growth and operating challenges excite them, but because owning your own business, any business is the thing to do in these days of economic downturns and job losses. You don’t want to get involved with a company who has no knowledge or experience in the shipping industry. They are not in it to perform a safe and reliable service to their customers.

The result of this growth then, is not just the ability to offer more and better services, but a growth in businesses with no level of competence. Many of these will blissfully fail before they even get off the ground, but there will remain those whose decline follows a slower path. These are the ones to be wary of. They know they are failing and are trying to cram as much business in as they can before their final, inevitable demise.

Moreover, new companies which will soon close are not always easy to detect. Their self-presentation and the prices may convince you that they are dependable. But the last thing you want to do is to trust a company which promises a terrific deal but delivers your car late to the wrong terminal, with property stolen, leaving you to discover that you have not insured the trip against damage and theft.

You must take the time to ensure the safety of your vehicle and all that is in it. A careful research of several companies is a must. You should start your analysis months before you intend to ship your auto, and it must be a careful analysis of the market.

It is to your advantage to plan the shipping way in advance. This will allow booking the shipment way in advance also. The more urgent the order, the higher the price you will pay because undue pressure is being put on the company and its personnel. Also giving the company plenty of time will give them plenty of time to do a thorough, careful job of shipping your vehicle at a good price.

Businesses do not like to decline offers, especially when dealing with individual private car owners, and are likely to take your order even if they know they are unlikely to complete it satisfactorily. Urgency increases the risk of delay and damage.

Moreover, make sure to check their MC license and their Insurance Certificate. Review the insurance carefully to make sure that it adequately covers your car.

A sure sign of the competence of any company is their customer service attitude. They should show eagerness to satisfy you and initiative in bringing out what is most important to you. The dependable, quality company will have no reticence in showing and explaining their insurance coverage or their licensing to you. If they see that their standard insurance coverage is inadequate for your needs, they will advise you to purchase extra. If these points are not covered in your discussions with them, find another company.

To read more about Auto Transport or Auto Shipping please check out our auto transport blog.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

To paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli, the wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages are perpetuated by good quotes. You can conduct your research online, by phone or both, then find a broker to pore over their qualifications and choose the most responsible one with the best historical track record. Just like the good student you are, you will prepare for your auto shipment and take every precaution while doing so. Having done all that, in the end it comes down to getting quotes from those companies deemed reliable and deciding on the quote with which you are the most comfortable.

Realizing that this is true, many companies will publish their terrific quotes on deals right on their home page. The really good companies, though will want to talk to you before they proffer a quotation on the work involved in your particular case. So be aware of this.

As a quick aside, if a company requires an advance, make absolutely sure that you are issued a contract which covers a complete refund in case the service is not carried out. A favorite fraudulent technique by not so successful companies is to receive an advance, buy some time, fail to ship the car, and refuse to refund: an easy way to make at least some money with a minimum of expenditure.

You can lie on your resume, although it is not a good practice and you know it. You can make yourself appear to be a CEO when in reality you are the sole attendant in a parking lot. Requesting a quote is not the time to embellish facts. You want to submit accurate, very detailed and intimate technical information regarding your beloved vehicle that you are turning over to a complete stranger.

You must have an accurate weight and shape of your car to give the prospective shipper. This is crucial as not every carrier is equipped to accommodate vehicles such as SUVs, off-roaders, pick-up trucks, vans, or even minivans. Customized changes such as chassis lowering or exotic add-ons should also be related to the shipper as these may interfere with loading your car onto the ramp that takes it up to the truck. Most carriers will accommodate a non-operating vehicle for an additional fee but you must let them know of this circumstance before they venture a quote. This also may require special equipment to load.

The way the company presents the quote, whatever it may be, is very important for you to get some insight into the quality of the shipper. Was the quote presented to you in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner? Does the quote given the services they provide seem too good to be true? It probably is. Compare quotes of all companies offering similar services. Start with the most well known companies in the industry to begin getting quotes and estimating quality and prices even if you do not choose them for your business. At least you will know what the prominent companies offer and at what price so you can compare this more easily with the lesser known companies.

Once you have conducted this field research, you will be able to tell whether the company that you seem to prefer – perhaps not the biggest name – is sincere about their price and service. And even with a sensible, sincere carrier you can haggle for a better deal. A standard trick is to convincingly suggest that may get a better deal for the same service elsewhere. For the most part, good companies do not offer the minimal price out right, which means that with good companies there is always a chance they might lower their price just enough for you to prefer them over a similar company.

To read more on Car Transport or Car Shipping please stop by our car shipping blog.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

Ok so you have a vehicle that needs to be transported from one spot to another. The notion seems pretty straightforward but now you must find a carrier service to send your vehicle on its way. But, and a major but at that is; what is an auto shipping carrier? Here is your answer.

The carrier

Transporting your vehicle to your required destination is, in general, what an auto shipping service does. Your vehicle can be shipping across country or internationally. Online services and in person help is available. Your car, boat , or motorcycle can be shipped to any destination you need. Carrier companies exist in vast numbers to fit your every accommodation. Cars, boats, motorcycles, heavy equipment which includes industrial, construction and farming machinery, bulldozers, and cranes can be shipped using an auto shipping carrier. Your RVs and SUVs can also be picked up and delivered by carrier companies.

Services to cater to every demographic such as corporate, dealer relocations, and other specialized services are provided by auto shipping carriers. There is specific transportation that carriers have for ATVs, antiques classic and custom vehicles, also for race cars and yachts. Inquiring about their information on these offerings is important; especially because these items are special to you.

Carrier companies have traditions to transport your vehicle in nice selections. Available to you and your auto travel are many offerings such as open and enclosed shipping services, freight, LTL, boating and flight shipping. Once you make your choice action is taken to start the quoting.

Auto carrier companies will directly deal with their customers but they do depend on brokers for much of their business. They do not exactly have huge budgets for their advertisements so they use newspapers, the internet, and, most importantly, word of mouth to escalate their business and revenue.

Establishing great customer service is something they try to do which is a plus. A huge deficit to their existence can be word of mouth and low grading. Having efficiency and kindness on the other end is something you should be prepared for. However, pay close attention to all the details, asking for references and looking for any faults they may have is crucial; do not be swindled.

Most likely you will be able to get free quotes, so that is another good thing. In fact, it’s probably time to take your business elsewhere if the carrier you are working with will not offer a free quote. When figuring out what carrier to use this part seems the easiest amongst all workings in investigating. A quick and easy online system is something most companies have, while finding the carrier most suitable for you this allows you to roam around free. Calling the auto carrier directly is simple if the online quote system confuses you. A well-located number will be posted on their website. It’s always a good thing to have a free number to call.

No matter where your vehicle needs to end up or where you travel, an auto shipping carrier can take you there.

For additional news and information about Vehicle Transport or Vehicle Shipping please visit our vehicle transport blog.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

The super-car world was very recently surprised when Russia launched a new and unique brand of super sports cars, the very first Russian sports car, coyly christened Marussia (a popular pet female given Russian name and a play on the English word “Russia,” to make sure everyone knows where this beauty is coming from), released in two models – B1 and B2 – and manufactured in limited numbers.

It requires careful auto shipping as it is now a collector’s item: being battered by hail, handled roughly, or brutally exploited is something you do not want for this baby while you’re not present.

How then to make sure your Marussia gets from Moscow to Minneapolis in one virgin piece? The basic things to consider is how to choose an auto shipping company, which truck type to use, which service to order, and insurance.

When it comes to companies, don’t just settle for the first one you come by. Preferring well known, perhaps costly, companies is the best way, names you have read about that are trusted. Obscure businesses, often on their way to bankruptcy, exist in multitudes. They are looking to swindle you out of as much money as they can before they close while posing as experts. Do not become paranoid, there are reasonable and decent companies out there. See which companies get the most references and recommendations by asking around, do some research.

In terms of trucks, you have the general choice between open and closed carriers. Open carriers are often seen hauling vehicles within or between cities; they are numerous and often used. Closed carrier shipping is costlier. But you want to take into consideration the distance your car is to travel and the brand of the car: an exotic auto is perhaps better transported in a closed carrier which prevents exposure to harmful elements as well as prying eyes.

Next you need to decide if you prefer to drop off the vehicle at a company terminal or you want the truck to pick it up from your place. From the terminal it may take the car much longer to be shipped and when it reaches its destination terminal it must be picked up by the owner, it’s a slower and more aggravating service. Having the car picked up from your garage is better. The mileage and any pre-existing damage can be checked by you and the driver, this way when the car is delivered to your destination any damage not on the signed list will be the responsibility of the company. Door to door shipping is provided by most companies.

For each vehicle transport, cargo insurance is offered by the companies. While the car is being handled by the company any damage will be compensated. A minimum of $800,000 for liability insurance is usually arranged for by trucking companies, this takes care of a large number of handled cargo.

Lasting companies that are good make sure you are insured and do not find it profitable to endanger the property of their clients. When even so much as a hint of reluctance to offer adequate insurance or mentioning is neglected by some fishy organization, beware.

To read more about Auto Transport or Auto Shipping please check out our auto transport blog.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

At SpiderShip.com we use two different 3PLs that are very good at less than truckload transportation. Together they move nearly $4,000,000,000 worth of freight annually.

3PL means a third party logistics provider. All 3PLs have different strengths and weaknesses. Because of that they all target different areas of the transportation world. Some may be very good at warehousing, or fulfillment, while others may handle the transportation of goods.

Almost all 3PLs deal with some sort of trucking. Mostly FTL and LTL freight shipping. Many are very good at international freight shipping.

Third party logistics providers all have different strengths and weaknesses. Because of that they all target different areas of the transportation world. Some may be very good at warehousing, or fulfillment, while others may handle the transportation of goods. Some are strong in certain regions of the US.

That quantity is very staggering. Any small company can sign up to use the online freight rater and receive volume discounts even if they don’t ship more than 4 times a month. A company run and operated by a single person could be paying the same freight rates as a fortune 500 company.

The next greatest advantage is the versatility of having over 65 freight carriers at your disposal. If you don’t ship the same package to the same destination every time you ship you probably can benefit from a variety of carriers. Some carriers will have good lanes to the Pacific Northwest while others will be strong in the south.

Trucking is part of every logistics team. Most do well with FTL and LTL freight shipping. Many are very good at international freight shipping or ocean containers.

One day you may only need to ship from LA to San Diego. And maybe it is going to a residential delivery and then Oak Harbor could give you the best price because they have a special on residential deliveries. The next day you may ship from LA to New York you may find the best carrier to be a large national carrier like YRC or FedEx.

Spider Ship is proud to boast access to all of the top carriers though our online freight quotes system. A very technologically advanced online freight quotes system.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.

Running a trucking company can be a challenge and every day you will have to make your assignments out to your drivers. However, you might not know where your drivers are going to be heading to if they are out of your immediate region. You will want to discover the reasons to use a third party logistics company to help you out.

These companies do cost some money, but it is money well spent. Once you have found one of the companies and know that you can sustain them for a long period of time you need to look at if they can help your company. That can be done by seeing what all services they are offering your company.

One reason to use these companies is because they can reduce down the amount that you pay out. They will do that by not requiring office space inside of your building, but also because you will not need to have the staff to run this type of department.

You are going to be able to keep your drivers stocked with jobs without you having to worry about handling it yourself. This can be a concern since you might be accused of playing favorites with the drivers. However, you will want to note that by using these people you are not going to have that problem because they are going to handle that for you.

Something else is you know that it can be hard keeping track of where everyone is at any given point in time. These companies are the ones responsible for this so you will know if you sign a contract to transport goods several hundred miles away that you have a crew present in that area.

Hunting down future jobs for your company is going to be your key for the most part. However, you will want to work in close relations with the company that you hire to manage your logistics since they can tell you if the job is going to be to large for your operation. So they could end up helping you in finding and maintaining the contracts that you have.

If you are in charge of multiple operations you probably know that you are going to run into many different problems. However, one of those problems that you might run into will be keeping track of all your resources. If you are running into that problem you are going to want to consider the positives of hiring a third party logistics company.

Learn more on Value City fulfillment services and Plow and Hearth fulfillment services.

For information on Car Shipping visit MetroGistics.