GX Transport is proud to launch our new site.

After extensive research we’ve implemented a host of changes to make it easier for our clients to stay in touch and receive timely information about GX as well as the transportation industry.

The first thing you’ll notice is this new and improved news page. This is where we will post breaking news and information as it becomes available. You can get these alerts in four different ways.

• Sign up here and receive alerts via email (no more than once a day)
• Follow us on Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook and our news will appear in your news stream.
• Sign up for our newsletter and receive a single monthly digest.

Scheduling a pick up has never been easier!

Throughout the site we’ve re-written content to make it clearer. We’ve also added multiple buttons to make it easier for you to schedule a pick up. On this page, we’ve created an online form as well as direct email to our dispatch and “fillable” Bill of Lading that you can print and fax.

Check it out here.

Overall, we’ve made great strides to improve our online customer experience and we hope that you will share GX with friends and colleagues using the handy social media buttons below.

Results published today by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the cost of ground transportation for Canadian Shippers increased .4% in August 2011 when compared to July.

The Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of Fuel Surcharges assessed by carriers, has increased for 6 consecutive months including a .6% increase in August. However, Base Rates remain 4.8% below the same period a year ago.

Average Fuel Surcharges assessed by carriers increased from 19.0% of Base Rates in July to 20.1% in August.

“The trend toward marginal increases in Base Rates we observed last month has continued,” says an industry expert, “although it is interesting to note that they are still significantly below prior year levels”.

Index 1 – Total Freight Costs

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This is a summary showing Total Freight Costs for over the road shipments starting in January 2008.
This chart depicts only General Freight shipments and includes all accessorial and fuel surcharges.
It excludes specialty freight services, rail, air, ocean and courier shipments. Freight services paid in US currency have been translated into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate applicable on the shipment date.

Index 2 – Base Freight Costs

Click to enlarge

This chart shows the change in Base Freight Costs since January 2008 for Canadian shippers. The data presented is the same as the General Freight Index above, except that all costs associated with separately identified Fuel Surcharges and Other Accessorial charges has been removed from the analysis.

Index 3 – Fuel Surcharge

Click to enlarge

This chart shows the changing Fuel Surcharge rates paid by Canadian Shippers. The Fuel Surcharge data shown is expressed as a percentage of the overall Base Freight Cost paid by shippers in the study sample.

Doing business online definitely makes life easier, unless you fall prey to a cybercriminal posing as a transport company. These virtual thieves have been known to steal loads out of shipping yards and docks without anyone realizing it until the delivery has become past due.

Here are a few tips on how to protect yourself if you’re considering doing business with a new carrier – make sure you ask for:

• A notice that requires information in advance
• 30-days notice of any changes
• Documentation from CVOR, NSC or other agencies
• Proof of Insurance (Cargo & Liability)
• Customs accreditation
• Terms and conditions of service
• Hauling information—will they be hauling the load themselves?
• Any special permits or equipment your load may require
• Referrals or recommendations

By managing supply chain costs, your business can earn a reputation for being reliable, as well as profitable and forward thinking. With a streamlined logistical supply chain, you will save money and guarantee your customers receive their shipments WHEN they are required – not sooner (wasted expense on your part) or later (customer dissatisfaction) – but on time…

In order to make your supply chain efforts more efficient, consider the following:

• Discuss ongoing cost reductions and long-term strategies with your carrier.
• Utilize your carriers online order entry, tracing capabilities and complete technological capabilities that should be available NOW
• Do you have detailed information on your products’ densities?
• Have you performed a formal freight RFP in the last five years?
• Do you track the results of your total freight cost and budget impact analysis? Do you involve your carriers in your freight budgeting exercise?
• Is your carrier presenting you with cost saving opportunities or insight on a regular basis?
• Do you communicate with your carrier on a regular basis? If so, is it the right person at YOUR company that’s communicating with your carrier in order to explore ideas and suggestions that can improve your company’s efficiency?
• Are your inbound and outbound processes and costs linked?
• Does your management have expertise and knowledge in freight management? Do they take freight management seriously?

If you can identify with any of these issues, GX can help.

If your relationship with your carrier doesn’t go past the initial request for service and invoice payments, you are both missing out on an opportunity to grow your businesses.

When you delve deeper and build a partnership based on trust and transparency, not just transactions, both sides benefit. As in any relationship, when the needs of both sides are being met, the partnership grows and more importantly, continues. Long-term business relationships provide carriers financial stability while offering shippers a business partnership they can trust and count on.

In order to comfortably share vital information, shippers and carriers should sign a mutual NDA—non-disclosure agreement, protecting both parties and allowing for open and honest communication.

• Carriers willing to enter into these agreements are serious about developing a long-term relationship with prospective customers and will share valuable costing models.
• Shippers who do the same are making a commitment to keep their business with the carrier instead of using lesser rates (always obtainable) as leverage and wasting valuable time.

Each party should divulge certain information in order for the relationship to grow and prosper.

• Shippers must be open to exchanging their sales forecasts, seasonal fluctuations, customer order sizes, etc. They can include their most trusted carriers in operational strategic planning meetings that affect their supply chain.
• By doing so, the carrier can point out possible cost saving opportunities, alternatives to existing modes and services. Carriers can provide their expertise in relation to the movements discussed, including lane by lane data/diagnosis, equipment, manpower, alternative modes, etc., and elaborate with specific data if appropriate.
• Under a NDA, both company’s information is protected.

This exchange of information creates trust that leads to mutual benefits—shippers can commit to freight volume and carriers to rates. While this level of relationship is not always possible, beginning on a basis of transparency and building trust from there, makes extremely good business sense. GX follows this model and strives to create a lasting, long-term, successful relationship with every customer.