CCJ Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking’s challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact CCJ Chief Editor Jason Cannon at jasoncannon@randallreilly.com or 800-633-5953.
While much of the blame for shipping delays around the U.S. has been laid at the feet of the trucking industry and its lack of workforce, many experts have said it’s not a matter of a driver shortage but of inefficiencies that could be solved with things like telematics and automation.
One metro-to-metro less-than-truckload carrier is proving that hypothesis.
Illinois-based Roadrunner (CCJ Top 250, No. 99) has made significant changes in its operations to improve its reputation and efficiencies with new leadership, a new network and new technologies, resulting in greater capacity and reduced transit times.
Roadrunner President Frank Hurst said customers have recognized improved service and quality; there has been a reduction in cargo claims; and driver uptimes have increased following these changes.
The company, which uses core key performance indicators as a measurement, posts transit times for every origin and destination zip code, published internally on its RapidShip LTL transportation management system. Roadrunner customers using RapidShip can automate manual shipping processes, improve transportation reporting and store documents. The TMS is designed to be a central platform for all shipping activities for small and medium-sized LTL shippers.
"In a turbulent logistics marketplace where longer delivery times are the norm, Roadrunner is ecstatic to speed up deliveries for its customers in 120 long-haul lanes across its 32 markets," said Roadrunner President Frank Hurst. "Careful study of sustained transit time improvement over several months gave Roadrunner the confidence to stand behind these tightened transit times. We expect to implement additional improvements in the months ahead to further enhance our service-first, competitive value offering."
