What Are International Logistics Services?

There’s never been a time when companies have done as much international business as they do today, especially considering global operations were once exclusive to big corporations. Now, even small businesses can effectively expand their global reach and services with the right tools and logistics partners. Along with growing international opportunities, the processes companies use to achieve global growth are also increasing and expanding.

International logistics services are modern methods to take a business from a local fixture to global success. These services focus on the international supply chain and are integral to a company that wants to take its product global. Explore precisely what international logistics services are and their benefits below.

What is International Logistics?

Before breaking down the intricacies of international logistics services, it’s good to understand more about the operations these tools enable. International logistics sounds complicated, but when broken down into its base elements, international logistics is producing and managing products or processing orders and shipping outside the country where you create your product. When a company has a global customer base with headquarters in a single country or carries out some supply chain phases in multiple countries, this can be considered international logistics.

The Benefits of International Logistics Services

International logistics services are the platforms and tools shippers use to maintain global operations with the goal of shipping cargo between countries using various transportation methods without affecting the shipment moving between transports. The best international logistics partners have built strong global relationships with trusted freight providers to offer safety, speed, and dependability with their international logistics services.

There are numerous benefits to using these services. The most obvious is that you can effectively expand your local and international market opportunities. Shifting certain operations in the supply chain to another country can also offer lower costs, freeing up resources to focus on integral and impactful parts of your business. The proper international logistics solutions will also ensure your global effort doesn’t put your product integrity at risk, allowing you to expand your worldwide reputation and provide a more expansive product line to a broader customer base.

Examples of International Logistics Services

International logistics solutions provide different benefits and can help you meet certain customer expectations. Understanding these options and choosing the one best suited to your needs is vital to international success and the safe delivery of your products.

The following are various services commonly offered for international shipping:

Full Container Load

When you have many products to ship, they may take up all the space in a shipping container, known as a full container load (FCL). An FCL shipment can be a valuable service, providing convenience and better pricing when importing or exporting, regardless of whether shipments move from door to door or port to port.

Less than Container Load

When a product doesn’t require the entire shipping container space, it’s considered a less than container load (LCL). LCL shipping services allow cost-sharing with other manufacturers and businesses to use the remaining container space for international shipments. This sustainable compartmentalization saves money, time, and resources for all involved parties.

Bulk/Parcel Tanker

Bulk/Parcel Tanker services allow you to ship large and cumbersome products that would otherwise be difficult to transport, helping to choose the best mode of transportation and carrier. Ocean carriers, for example, can handle heavy weights and large objects efficiently while protecting freight from the elements during transport. Choosing the proper method of transportation for the size and demands of the product being shipped is vital.

Airfreight

When speed is vital to successful shipment or a top priority for a customer, air freight is the ideal international logistics service, utilizing cargo aircraft or even passenger planes. Specialized cargo handling, like temperature control, is also a viable option with this kind of shipment. While not every load is suitable for this mode of transportation, it’s typically the fastest shipping method when permissible.

Choosing an International Logistics Partner

When choosing international logistics services for your chemical logistics shipping, the tools and provider you select must meet your global shipping needs. The best partner can provide versatile possibilities while maintaining solid and reliable relationships with global transportation services.

CLX Logistics utilizes our worldwide fluency and international connections to ensure chemical shipments of any shape or size find a suitable carrier from our transportation partners without sacrificing sound shipping, cost efficiency, or timely delivery.

If you’d like to learn more about our international logistics services, check out our complete offerings on our website.

And feel free to contact our team to discuss your unique international chemical freight needs and specialized projects.

Three Key Elements of a Successful Managed Logistics Program

Managed transportation providers offer comprehensive logistics and supply chain expertise to all types of industries. Managed logistics solutions support businesses with a range of transportation solutions spanning shipping data analytics, tactics, planning, mode optimization, vendor consolidation, and more. These efforts ultimately focus on driving new efficiencies that reduce costs, improve delivery times, and enhance visibility over the entirety of a transportation network.

Depending on the needs of any given industry, there will be various nuances, exceptions, and challenges to contend with. Still, there are several components of every managed transportation program that must be considered in order to achieve your goals.

Let’s look at three key elements of a successful managed logistics program.

  1. Choosing the Right Supply Chain Services

The managed logistics providers with the most robust levels of flexibility often find the most success. That high level of flexibility comes from advanced knowledge and expertise in a wide range of supply chain solutions, including:

  • Mode management
  • Logistics technology
  • Capacity management
  • Digital freight brokerage
  • Project logistics
  • Visibility
  • Analytics and optimization
  • Continuous improvement programs
  • Industry specialization

Different managed logistics services are applicable at different stages of any managed transportation operation. Whether you’re considering a fully integrated solution covering a wide range of services like data collection, strategic development, procurement, TMS technology, and operational reviews, or only a single service, you should be confident your managed logistics partner has the experience and resources to help keep you and your customers happy.

  1. Implementing the Right Technology

Technology innovations continuously make waves across industries, and managed logistics is no different. With hefty data processing, storage, and analytics demands, managed logistics is at the forefront of some of the most advanced technologies, including AI, machine learning, and automation. As these capabilities become more accessible, their intelligent application helps shippers get ahead and maintain an edge, even in the most competitive industries and tightest timelines, with:

  • Improved forecasting of orders, inventories, workforces, warehousing, and partner activities
  • Improved real-time network visibility, with greater accuracy and feedback
  • Improved agility to make on-the-fly supply chain adjustments
  • Improved collaboration between individuals, departments, and partners

Full-service managed logistics providers bring a full range of technology solutions to the table, including Transportation Management Systems like CLX TMS that help you achieve these goals without making huge investments into hardware and software solutions.

  1. Determining Your Transportation Efficiency Goals

Do you need an immediate quick fix, or are you more interested in long-term improvements and operational efficiencies? Managed logistics programs can help with both, but the most significant value always comes from ongoing, long-term efforts. Many shippers seek managed logistics solutions to handle:

  • Purchasing and maintaining equipment
  • Hiring additional employees
  • Hardware, software, and technology infrastructure upgrades

These services enable organizations to keep costs down and scale as needed without worrying about overinvesting in additional labor, equipment, or technologies. Efficient supply chains have balanced expenses and limited time constraints to ensure safe, on-time deliveries and optimal customer experiences. Managed logistics providers can examine your supply chain from beginning to end to uncover opportunities and help strengthen those key areas. Any chance to improve can significantly impact costs and customer service, whether that means a complete supply chain redesign to overhaul outdated existing operations or minor adjustments like setting up a new warehouse location.

Getting Started with Bespoke Managed Logistics Solutions

First and foremost, an experienced managed logistics provider needs to have operations in place to help you with each of the three elements above. But there are other factors to consider, like their experience in your specific industry, their reputation with other vendors, and how they treat their customers.

No matter the logistics challenges you face, CLX Logistics can help. CLX Managed Transportation is a robust suite of a la carte managed logistics solutions that chemical shippers rely on every day for everything from on-demand adjustments to long-term operational efficiencies. With a comprehensive selection of freight management solutions, CLX Managed Transportation helps offers chemical manufacturers the logistics solutions they need to lower costs, improve service, and fill gaps in expertise with a proven team of chemical transportation specialists. Contact us today to discuss your managed logistics and chemical supply chain needs.

Four Essential Supply Chain Management Tools

Every day, global supply chains increase in size and complexity as customer demands endlessly rise. To meet these demands, shippers need the right supply chain management tools with the flexibility to grow and scale as needed. The right supply chain management tools help not only to enable shippers to provide better customer service and on-time deliveries but also to remain competitive with everyone else in the market.

From generating the initial quote to delivering the products to the customer, intelligent supply chain management tools enable organizations of all types to streamline and automate various functions. With setup, guidance, and support from supply chain management experts, these tools can help improve processes, reduce costs, and save time. As supply chain complexity grows, supply chain managers need to leverage the various tools at hand.

Here’s our list of the four essential supply chain management tools you need to provide the best service at the best price.

Shipping Management

One of the most challenging elements of supply chain management is keeping track of every order. As large supply chains increase in complexity, particularly for those on a global scale, the difficulty of tracking shipments and updating customers on the status of their orders at any time also increases. The elements of a comprehensive shipping management platform are varied, ranging from RFID inventory management tools to minimize errors in documentation to shipping status tools that provide delivery updates to scheduling and planning tools for streamlining operations and improving customer service.

Every business is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all shipping management platform that everyone can rely on to suit their needs. The most effective shipping management solutions usually call for a bespoke solution customized to the precise shipping needs of any given organization. This concept is even more apparent in specialized industries, such as the chemical sector. Solutions like CLX Managed Transportation solve these challenges through a robust suite of a la carte services chemical shippers can customize and adjust on demand, according to their requirements. No matter which services a chemical shipper needs the most, the overall intent of custom shipping management tools remains the same: lower costs, improve service, and fill gaps in expertise.

Telematics-Based Tracking

Telematics technology, assisted by innovations in IoT and AI, dramatically increases the quantity of data logistics companies have access to. A business can plug directly into their fleet vehicles, allowing them access to truck health, GPS information, freight temperature sensors, and more details related to the location of a shipment or the environmental conditions it may be in. This information allows businesses to monitor and manage their supply chain in real time, uncover valuable insights, and develop new algorithms to help optimize route planning and fleet management.

Tools in this category include CLX TMS powered by e2open, which brings plug-and-play speed, efficiency, and supply chain visibility to chemical shippers worldwide through a cohesive transportation ecosystem. Using CLX TMS, chemical shippers get a state-of-the-art telematics-based tracking solution along with improved capabilities for automation, planning, execution, invoicing, cost and service-level optimizations, visibility, metrics, and analytics, all in one.

Procurement, Benchmarking, and Bidding

The proper procurement, benchmarking, and bidding tools are critical to minimizing spending and increasing margins across a global supply chain. Procurement tools enable businesses to manage and automate purchase orders from suppliers and quickly settle accounts. Freight benchmarking is vital to understanding rate competitiveness and evaluating carriers, and bidding tools help shippers conduct bids quickly and efficiently, with confidence that they’ve made the best choices possible in the moment.

Some platforms are even specialized by industry, such as CLX LaneLogix, a global supply chain management tool for procurement, benchmarking, and bids, specifically for the chemical sector. CLX LaneLogix includes interactive rate benchmarking, service-level benchmarking, procurement event strategy capabilities, negotiation tools, and e-bidding.

Demand Forecasting Tools

The order process requires shippers to keep track of multiple functions simultaneously. Many supply chain management software products offer order processing tools engineered to keep track of all your operations on a unified dashboard. Some can even integrate with sales channels to help businesses monitor and manage their inventory and orders all in one place. There are various supply chain management tools on the market to help businesses monitor demand and forecast orders and inventory, but few of them are unique to a specific industry, which can cause problems with HAZMAT freight, chemicals, and other sensitive products.

In these cases, specialized platforms such as CLX Gravity are usually preferred, enabling chemical manufacturers to incorporate custom data sources that draw from benchmarking and freight payment sources, e2open, and other external systems. By combining all of these inputs in the right ways, it becomes faster and easier for chemical shippers to build more accurate transportation models, develop better forecasts, and prepare for any challenge.

Start Building a Next-Level Supply Chain

It might be tempting to simply start searching online for each of these tools, find the lowest-priced options, and try them out – but without the right strategy, planning, implementation, execution, and ongoing optimization, the path to a return on your investment, let alone significant revenue increases, will be daunting, to say the least.

Work with an experienced transportation and supply chain management partner like CLX Logistics to ensure you’re getting the best products for your situation and that they’re set up to deliver the benefits and improvements you expect. Contact us today and let our experts guide you towards the right supply chain management tools for your business.

Optimize Shipping with a Transportation Management System

Since 2020, you’ve likely been bombarded with the news and effects of supply chain slowdowns throughout most every industry. Whether from labor or product shortages, clogged ports, or geopolitical interference—shipping interruptions are a problem. However, while the state of shipping and logistics may be complicated, supply chain shortages and interruptions are nothing new to logistics professionals. While easier said than done, most would agree that the key to avoiding shipping interruptions is to take preventative action before your services are affected by external forces out of your control.

One of the most effective methods of preventative, proactive planning for minimal shipping and supply chain interruptions is to implement a Transportation Management System (TMS). Implementing a TMS increases visibility across your entire supply chain, creating opportunities for next-level control of shipping speed, efficiency, cost, and adaptability.

Defining a Transportation Management System

A transportation management system is a logistics technology platform that helps manufacturers, distributors, 3PLs, and any participant in the supply chain system plan, execute, and optimize the transportation of incoming and outgoing goods and ensure shipments are compliant and properly documented. A TMS provides visibility into shippers’ transportation operations, trade compliance information, and documentation and ensures the timely and most efficient delivery of freight and goods. This technology is essential in modern logistics to help streamline shipping processes and facilitate better management of transportation operations, no matter the modes used.

A transportation management system such as CLX TMS is a platform that logistics professionals leverage to plan, execute, and optimize transportation operations and ensure delivery performance, maximum efficiency, and compliance to partners and customers anywhere in the world. The platform provides advanced visibility and control over your chemical logistics operations with interactive dashboards and real-time metrics that allow shippers to remain on time and budget. Using CLX TMS, shippers can compartmentalize shipments as efficiently as possible and catch problems if and when they occur.

Requirements and Features of a Transport Management System

As with most tools and software, the quality of transportation management systems can vary from provider to provider, and some are better suited for different applications than others. Regardless, specific requirements should be a part of every TMS to ensure you’re implementing a quality system for managing your vital logistics.

When implementing a transport management system to manage your chemical logistics, make sure the system you choose includes:

  • Complete visibility across all modes of transportation from procurement to delivery, including order management and warehouse management.
  • Compliance capabilities to ensure you adhere to all regulatory practices across all locations and shipping practices.
  • Rating abilities to help select the correct shipping method and carrier.
  • Automatic booking and tendering to select the most affordable and efficient shipping method and carrier.
  • Load planning to pack shipments more effectively, maximize load sizes, and optimize route planning.

A transport management system simplifies and optimizes domestic and international logistics for shippers, freight forwarders, carriers, and 3PLs by improving visibility and control over the entire shipping process.

CLX Transportation Management System Features

When it comes to a transportation management system for chemical shipping, there is no comparison to the features and global reach of CLX TMS powered by e2open. Our offering simplifies and optimizes domestic and international logistics for chemical shippers, freight forwarders, carriers, and logistics service providers by providing capabilities based on your specific needs to serve your customers better. CLX TMS provides a single application purpose-built for your business’s unique volumes and workflows, covering all modes and regions, domestically or internationally, with full functionality for planning, carrier procurement, execution, tracking, and settlement. 

CLX TMS grants access to the broadest global chemical carrier network.

CLX TMS increases profitability for all parties, connects global trade, channel, and supply chain ecosystems, increases visibility, allows shipments to be pinpointed globally, and above all, enables shippers to provide the highest level of service to customers and partners.

The core offering of CLX TMS for all businesses includes: 

  • Carrier coverage across all modes and regions for domestic and international shipments
  • Optimization tools to reduce costs and meet delivery targets
  • Direct connections to trade compliance, order management, and warehouse management systems
  • Specialized capabilities such as fleet management, last-mile delivery, rail tendering, and global parcel shipping

Critical Benefits of CLX Transportation Management Systems

CLX TMS powered by e2open helps chemical shippers to achieve best-in-class operations in every aspect of their transportation network to deliver significant and rapid ROI with benefits such as:

  • Consolidating freight from less-than-truckload to truckload, or for outbound or inbound moves from a distribution center
  • Management of the entire logistics operation from front to back, handling multiple languages, currencies, and time zones 
  • Automated carrier invoice matching and reconciliation of billing errors before payment authorization 
  • Enterprise-class, multi-carrier parcel shipping system that supports complex, high-volume, multi-location, domestic, and international chemical shipping 
  • An easy-to-use interface that accelerates startup time with “near-zero” training

Key Features of CLX Transportation Management System

  • Carrier Management: Plan and execute carrier management strategies with powerful contract management tools and dynamic routing-guide capabilities. 
  • SaaS Solution: Improve speed-to-value through faster updates without upgrade costs. 
  • Seamless Integration: Integrate CLX TMS into one or multiple existing ERP environments. 
  • Global Carrier Network: Plug into an easily accessible global carrier and freight forwarder network. 
  • Network Visibility: Track and control freight via the web and real-time visibility with leading tracking services. 
  • Reporting & Analytics: Develop data-driven strategies to hit KPIs using interactive dashboards.

For a more detailed analysis of CLX TMS powered by e2open’s ability to transform and optimize your global and domestic chemical shipping capabilities, check out our transportation management system data sheet:

[A Global TMS for Effective Supply Chain Management]

A TMS to Meet Your Needs

To overcome modern problems, you must meet these demands with modern solutions. That’s what a TMS does—it brings shipping into the future by increasing visibility, control, and optimization of your entire global supply chain.

Are you ready to implement a leading global TMS to meet your chemical supply chain needs? Contact us today to get started.

Resources

1 https://www.selecthub.com/transportation-and-logistics-management/tms-system-requirements/ 

2 https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/transportation-management-system/ 

3 https://www.oracle.com/scm/logistics/transportation-management/what-is-transportation-management-system/ 

Introducing Rocket the Turtle

Hailing from Cedar Lake, Chicago, Rocket J. Turtleson began his leadership journey growing up among his 1,000 siblings. Someone had to be in charge and organize the many moving parts of such a big family, so that’s how he spent his childhood. Once a bit older, Rocket traveled to Buffalo Bayou in Houston, Texas—a city he loved and vowed to return to one day.

After three years in Houston, Rocket decided to enroll in school and start a career. Heading to a different part of the country this time, Rocket enrolled in the SMEAL College MBA program at Penn State University with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. While there, he was also a member of the ROTCN program, leading him to join the Navy after graduation. This adventure found him stationed in Hawaii aboard the USS Chicago (officially—the rest is classified information). This massive submarine is where Rocket was introduced to tanks being utilized for fuel logistics, which he oversaw.

Ultimately, this interest in fuel logistics led him to pursue a career transporting freight worldwide.

Rocket felt CLX Logistics had just the tools he needed to be a world-class leader in chemical logistics. He found himself inspired by offerings like:

Managed Transportation Services

Someone working behind the scenes 24/7 to help lower costs and improve service, with a fully customizable menu of transportation services tailored to chemical shipping, would be an immense value to him.

CLX TMS

Rocket could leverage a world-class, plug-and-play transportation management system to increase visibility over an entire supply chain dramatically.

Bulk Intermodal Service

Bulk intermodal would be especially beneficial for multi-modal capabilities, making the most of each method to help reduce emissions, simplify management, and lower costs.

CLX LaneLogix

Partnering with other in-network shippers helps ensure freight arrives on time, so something like CLX LangeLogix that helps streamline and optimize Rocket’s benchmarking, bidding, and procurement processes is a great addition.

CLX Freight Brokerage

CLX’s long-term carrier relationships ensure that when transportation is needed immediately but Rocket is not personally available, he can rest assured his clients are taken care of by another outstanding provider.

CLX Gravity

This modern solution to transportation managed analytics is ideal for exactly the types of global supply chains Rocket deals with daily.

International Services

Rocket would make excellent use of CLX’s international services as he directs freight all around the world, helping to ensure speed, safety, and dependability while keeping costs as low as possible.

Supply Chain Consulting

Rocket knows there’s always room for improvement. That’s where CLX comes in. CLX’s experts provide strategic design, tactical optimizations, and operational support that helps optimize routes to save significant time and money.

Rocket joined the CLX family in 2013 as our VP of Logistics Efficiency and has been a pillar in our organization, helping provide the best transportation service to clients worldwide. He currently resides in Perkiomen Creek, PA, with his wife and a growing family of 215 children. Rocket fishes on the Chesapeake Bay during his free time and fits in a healthy CrossFit schedule to keep his shell strong.

Leading the Next Generation of Supply Chain Excellence

In February, The Penn State University Smeal College of Business Center for Supply Chain Research® (CSCR) named CLX President and CEO David Vieira among the newest members of the 2022-2023 Advisory Board.

Penn State’s CSCR is a dedicated leader in supply chain management research and education. Over the years, the CSCR has partnered with several industry-leading businesses and corporate partners whose commitments have led to milestone years of service and support. In a recently published list recognizing many of their longest partnerships, and gave thanks for the dedication, thought leadership, and insights they’ve shared to help maintain CSCR as a leader in supply chain research, education, and talent development.

This year’s CSCR milestone partnership anniversaries have been formally recognized at the Spring 2022 Corporate Sponsor Meeting for the following companies:

  • 30 Years – CLX Logistics
  • 25 Years – Johnson & Johnson
  • 20 Years – Boeing
  • 15 Years – Verizon
  • 5 Years – Volvo, Air Products, Merck, ALDI, Church & Dwight

CLX Logistics is honored to collaborate with CSCR for 30 years and appreciate the incredible work the CSCR has done for the industry in preparing the future supply chain leaders, developing executive education, and providing faculty with the resources to produce cutting-edge research.

The CSCR Advisory Board enables the Center to remain at the forefront of the supply chain discipline by aligning research, programs, and offerings with current and future industry challenges and trends. Board members commit to a two-year appointment in a brand and sponsor development role for the University, Smeal College of Business, and CSCR, while remaining active in Center-sponsored programs and events. They provide input and guidance for the CSCR strategic plan and forward-thinking initiatives and approve our faculty research affiliates and fellowships.

Since 1953, the Penn State Smeal College of Business has steadily advanced through the growth of its undergraduate and graduate programs, executive education, and major research centers. In 1990 Frank P. Smeal ’42 and his wife, Mary Jean, provided a generous gift to form The Mary Jean and Frank P. Smeal College of Business. The Smeals’ gift to the college was the largest individual donation in the University’s history at the time, creating five endowed chairs and a separate endowment for program excellence.

Thank you to Penn State University and the Smeal College of Business CSCR program for your long-term dedication to improving the industry from the ground up. We look forward to many more years of close collaboration, education, and forward-thinking insights as we work to pave the way for the next generation of supply chain experts.

To learn more about the Penn State Smeal College of Business CSCR program, visit https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr.

Click here to explore CLX Logistics’ comprehensive supply chain services and capabilities.

How Intermodal Transportation Companies Reduce Carbon Footprint

There is a growing need to leverage sustainable freight transportation methods to help reduce carbon emissions and minimize damage to the planet. Our industry has a history of being one of the biggest producers of carbon emissions, and transportation and logistics leaders and organizations constantly seek new methods of ensuring shipments arrive on time without breaking the bank.

One of the leading ways logistics professionals provide fast and dependable service while saving money and significantly reducing their overall carbon footprint compared to standard over-the-road shipments is intermodal transportation. Let’s take a quick look at what intermodal shipping is and the carbon reduction benefits it offers to carriers.

What is Intermodal Transportation?

Intermodal transportation uses two or more modes or carriers to transport freight from shipper to consignee. It’s a shipping strategy that began in 18th century England, and in the 1950s, the steel intermodal transportation container was standardized based on design specifications from the US DoD. Today’s intermodal containers often include further specializations, such as BulkTainer™ ISO tanks used for BulkTainer® intermodal transportation services for liquid chemicals, allowing carriers to transport liquid chemicals between trucks, trains, and ships without handling any actual cargo. When considering different strategies, shippers want to balance cost and service, and intermodal is often an effective solution to meeting those goals.

The Carbon Reduction Benefits of Intermodal Transportation

The extensive use of railways is key to the carbon reduction potential of intermodal transportation. Freight trains are more aerodynamic and move at a consistently faster pace than trucks with much higher capacity, leading to significantly greater fuel efficiency. Using freight trains for most of a continental journey, with support from OTR trucks for local transfers and deliveries, typically leads to a better bottom line and a massive reduction in carbon emissions. The EPA shows that utilizing intermodal rail for shipments over 1,000 miles reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 65%.

Trucks are also critical to intermodal transportation systems by making all the short trips between warehouses, distribution centers, and destinations following a rail journey. While long-haul trucks offer many benefits to the transportation industry, they also contribute to highway congestion, city congestion, and idling traffic. Smaller trucks, frequently used for drayage in intermodal situations, are more fuel-efficient than large diesel trucks, giving intermodal transportation a further boost in carbon reduction.

For shipping to other regions by sea, cargo ships carry large volumes of freight in efficient, space-saving containers that optimize the load of each ship. Standardized shipping containers also improve efficiency during loading and unloading processes, reducing the need for special resources at port. Even specialized shipping containers, like CLX Bulktainers for bulk liquid chemicals, conform to all standardized dimensions.

Sustainable Materials in Intermodal Transportation

Standardized shipping containers, including CLX Bulktainers, are integral elements of eco-friendly intermodal transportation. These steel or aluminum interlocking boxes fit together precisely to help optimize capacity for each journey. Shipping containers are durable and long-lasting, so they can be used repeatedly and reduce the need for single-use materials. While both steel and aluminum are recyclable, retired containers are often recycled and repurposed creatively, including residential housing, office spaces, or stationary storage units.

Getting the Most Out of Intermodal Transportation

While the concept of intermodal transportation is straightforward, orchestrating an effective intermodal network of established carriers is no simple feat. It takes the right mix of logistics expertise, network connections, and technology to ensure you maximize every opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint, eliminate unnecessary spending, and get freight to its destination on time.

CLX Logistics develops fully customized intermodal transportation solutions that offer a variety of benefits, especially to chemical manufacturers and shippers in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors. With CLX Intermodal, chemical shippers save up to 30% compared to OTR shipping, reduce capacity constraint issues, provide convenient forward storage solutions, and perhaps most importantly, reduce the impact that transportation has on the environment. Talk to a member of our team to learn more about how CLX Intermodal can help you save time and money while reducing your carbon footprint.

Matt Caine Joins CLX Logistics as VP of Sales and Marketing in North America – Heading New Office in Houston, TX

Philadelphia, PA, June 27, 2022 – CLX Logistics is pleased to announce the newest member of our leadership team, Matt Caine. Matt joins the team as VP of Sales and Marketing in North America and will be heading a new office in Houston, TX. Matt is a process-driven, professional, and dynamic team leader with more than sixteen years of experience in various industries, including chemical, oil and gas, renewables, and more.

Following a career in oil and gas export operations, Matt pivoted focus to professional growth and development by gaining first-hand management experience in logistics and international and domestic operations and sales.

“Matt will be an incredible asset to our team,” said David Vieira, CEO of CLX Logistics. “We’re thrilled that he’s accepted this new VP of Sales and Marketing role in North America to not only help expand our breadth and knowledge of chemical logistics and supply chain solutions but also help our organization make major strides in new, emerging, and expanding markets throughout the country.”

Throughout his career, Matt has been active with several organizations, including Southwest Chemical Association, International Transportation Management Association (ITMA), and many other industry-leading groups. Matt and his wife currently live in Houston with their son and daughter.

For more information about CLX Logistics, visit clxlogistics.com.

About CLX Logistics, LLC
CLX Logistics, LLC is a world-leading 4PL provider of comprehensive chemical logistics management, technology, and supply chain consulting services. With offices in North America and Europe, CLX Logistics solves its customers’ most vital logistics challenges by leveraging a broad range of industry expertise, best-of-breed technology, and a personalized, high-touch approach to deliver measurable, sustainable value. For more information, visit clxlogistics.com.

Freight Brokerage Solutions When You Need a Carrier Now

Freight brokers are the unseen heroes of the transportation and logistics world. They’re the middleman between shippers and carriers and ensure shipment processes go smoothly. Freight brokerage services include a wide range of features and benefits that shippers wouldn’t otherwise have access to, chiefly an expansive network of trusted and dependable freight carriers.

Shippers frequently underestimate the value of freight brokers, but time and again, freight brokers prove their worth by saving shippers substantial time and money. Freight brokers use their carrier connections to negotiate low transportation rates and handle your freight safely between shippers and carriers. And critically, when challenges arise and you need a carrier immediately, freight brokers have various solutions available to ensure your freight gets to its destination intact as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

Let’s look at the solutions freight brokers can offer when you need a carrier now.

Last-Minute Shipments

When a carrier backs out of a contract at the last minute, freight brokers can access a broader range of carriers to execute fast, last-minute shipments. With access to real-time trucking and capacity data and a global network of carriers, freight brokers are indispensable in ensuring those urgent last-minute shipments make it to their destination on time. Freight brokers thoroughly vet all their carriers by reviewing safety ratings, HAZMAT certifications, and insurance coverage. They also accommodate special modes like dry van, refrigerated, and temperature-controlled solutions, all on short notice.

Specialized Transportation Expertise

Different types of freight must follow different rules and regulations surrounding packaging, modes of transport, border crossings, and more. For example, when shipping something like bulk liquid chemical, it’s essential to work with a freight broker who knows the industry inside and out to achieve the best prices and prompt, professional service. When choosing a freight broker for their specialization and expertise, look for one that industry manufacturers and shippers trust and has a history of excellence among their clients. They also need robust technologies to manage issues, communicate with parties seamlessly, and facilitate timely in-transit tracking, reporting, updates, and confirmations. The right freight brokerage experience mixed with the right technologies for specialized industries are key to ensuring fast, on-time delivery of your goods.

Save Time in the Face of Transportation Challenges

From global pandemics to clogged canals to geopolitical conflicts, you never know what kinds of supply chain challenges, slowdowns, and delays will arrive, when they’ll show up, or how long they’ll last. Amid all these issues, when you need a product shipped ASAP, freight brokers can help filter through the noise to find new options. Using their connections with a wide range of trustworthy and experienced carriers, freight brokers take all the work out of finding and organizing a transportation network so you can stay on track and focus on more crucial elements of your business.

Getting Started with the Right Freight Broker

There are a lot of freight brokers to choose from, but few have the complete mix of experience, expertise, technology, and specialization as CLX Logistics. Our award-winning freight brokerage team connects carriers with available capacity to clients who need to support shipments now. We provide vital freight brokerage services for businesses of all sizes across the US in a wide range of industries with unmatched specialization in chemical transportation solutions.

Need to get started with freight brokerage services? We’re ready to help. Contact CLX Logistics today.

Answering Common Chemical Rail Transportation Services Questions

Almost every industry has been affected by supply chain issues in recent times. With causes ranging from oversized ships clogging major maritime ports to the unprecedented influx of vessels waiting to be unloaded around the world, there are many factors affecting these recent supply chain strains.

However, there are different options for shipping in today’s modern world that can alleviate or solve supply chain shortages for many companies. While most individuals and supply chain managers may think of air or maritime shipping as the most effective and efficient transportation methods, another competitor may be just as, if not more effective and practical.

While not as flashy as its challengers, rail transportation services are a tried-and-true tactic that has been around since the birth of industry itself and still holds its own as a reliable, predictable, cost-friendly, and attractive shipping option for many companies and industries, especially chemical manufacturing.

We’ll be discussing how railway logistics can help solve the needs of the chemical transportation industry by reviewing our case study where we helped improve the transportation of chemicals from the southern part of the US to the Northeast.

Read the full case study, Big Fish in a Bigger Pond: Upgrading a Chemical Supply Chain the Right Way, here:

 

Is Rail Shipping on the Outs?

Let’s cut right to the chase: not at all. According to the US Department of Transportation, the rail freight network is an 80-billion-dollar industry with around 140,000 route miles of track, accounting for approximately 28% of all freight movement within the US! Not only that, but the “US freight rail network is widely considered the largest, safest, and most cost-efficient freight system in the world.”

Transportation experts agree that rail transportation services are only poised to grow in appeal and practicality for domestic suppliers due to increased urban congestion, road traffic, fuel costs, and other impediments that slow down shipping speeds.

Increased rail freight transportation has additional benefits such as fewer highway fatalities, lower fuel consumption and logistical costs, and even lower maintenance costs for public infrastructure like roads, highways, and bridges. These are only some of the advantages rail transportation services can have for companies and the public alike.

What Are the Advantages of Rail Shipping?

The clearest advantage of shipping bulk items using rail transportation services is cost savings. When bulk shipping items such as chemicals is an option, the cost savings potentials are huge for several reasons. First, trains are much more fuel-efficient than other methods of shipping. In fact, a single gallon of diesel fuel can move one ton of freight 470 miles. Additionally (and perhaps unknown to many), US freight railroads are privately owned and independent of public infrastructure maintenance costs. This privately-owned network comprises seven Class I railroads and many smaller regional and local railroads. These private companies continually invest in the quality and efficiency of their freight rail systems, with a high percentage of revenue going towards maintenance and network expansion to constantly improve their rail transportation services and make shipping safer and more efficient.

Is Rail Transportation Safe for Shipping Chemicals?

Rail transportation services are incredibly safe for chemical shipment. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) states, “99.99% of all hazmat moved by rail reaches its destination without a release caused by a train accident.” Hazmat accident rates have even decreased by 64% since 2000 due to the collaboration of private freight companies, customers, government agencies, and all other involved parties in investing money and labor into ensuring safer practices for hazmat rail transportation services, with the ultimate goal of one day being 100% accident-free.

Examples can be seen in more properly trained staff and the increased use and advancement of technology that monitors, inspects, and tracks rail equipment and freight. Additionally, USDOT updated regulations in 2015 that made rail cars that carry hazmat safer and structurally tougher, even in the case of an accident or derailment, as well as phasing out older cars that were no longer adequately safe for hazmat transportation.

Is a Rail Management Software Necessary for Chemical Railway Shipping?

Absolutely. Rail shipping in a modern context can only be efficiently managed through reliable Rail Management Software (RMS). Utilizing this software helps create reliable data and ensures companies can more efficiently track shipments, railcar contents, destinations, shipping times, and so on. This information can help make more data-driven decisions that ultimately save time and money.

Luckily CLX has an RMS built into our proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS). Utilizing our technology helps companies save time and money and makes all their shipping services more lucrative and efficient overall through the increased awareness, management, and ease of use of real-time shipping data like railcar tracking and industry-leading fleet analytics.

How Else Can CLX Improve Chemical Rail Shipping?

Not only does CLX provide a TMS and RMS, but we also maintain strong, established relationships with several Class I rail companies to provide chemical shippers with access to more routes than other competitors, ensuring we can clear any chokepoints or hurdles that could delay shipments. Our well-established relationships can also help lower the rates of railcars and streamline contract renewals. We also provide complete railcar maintenance and management solutions and complete invoice auditing to ensure you’re paying your expenses as planned and eliminating extraneous costs at every opportunity.

As you can see, shipping with railway logistics is more relevant and practical than ever and can be an incredibly safe and efficient shipping method for chemical suppliers. Even better, CLX is here to support you throughout the entire journey with our unparalleled experts and tools to help manage your rail needs. For a more detailed look at how we’ve helped reduce costs for a company shipping titanium dioxide (TiO2), read our full case study, Big Fish in a Bigger Pond: Upgrading a Chemical Supply Chain the Right Way.

If you have more questions or are ready to see how CLX can improve your chemical shipping processes, contact us today, and let’s get started.