Note: Today’s post is part of our “Editor’s Pick” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide practical knowledge and advice on timely and important supply chain and logistics topics. In this post, Brian Fish, Account Manager at LLamasoft, shares some factors to consider when determining whether or not to use dedicated fleets.
Managing the balance between cost and service is a pervasive challenge for nearly every supply chain professional when managing their transportation strategy. Pair that with an increasingly competitive marketplace and determining the right approach is formidable. Nearly every organization requires or at least considers outsourcing some of their transportation needs at one point of another, but what are some of benefits or considerations when opting to use private, or dedicated, fleets?
Specific Needs
Often dedicated fleets are deployed when there are very specific requirements that need to be met. This can depend on the company and their end customer. These considerations include when the product requires specialized equipment, such as curtainside or lightweight trailers. These items not only require specialized equipment for transfer, they depend on drivers as the customer-facing representative of the company. Some companies with a customer base that requires complex or time-consuming deliveries may want to offer white glove service. Other considerations like multi-stop routes, driver uniforms with company logos and equipment branding can also drive the decision to utilize dedicated fleets.
