Wednesday, December 31, 2008

5 Ways to Reduce Your Shipping Costs

Are you interested in reducing your shipping costs? If so, chances are that you are just like hundreds of other companies in the world today. The fact of the matter is that if you can spend less money on shipping, your profits will be more. And this is especially true for those companies that ship a lot of items day in and day out. Unfortunately, far too many companies never look into the ways that they can reduce shipping costs.

Here are five ways to reduce shipping costs. They may not all work for you or your company, but they should at least put you on the right path to saving time and money.

1. To reduce costs, try to cut back on the number of times that you ship. If you can hold back a day to add more items to your truckload, you will be able to cut back on costs. Of course, this will not always work, but it is something to consider; especially if you are not up against tight shipping deadlines.

2. Reducing the weight of your items is one sure fire way to save on costs. This is not always easy, but as you may know it is more than possible. Look into changing your shipping methods if you want to keep your costs down.

3. Compare carriers. Does it get any easier than that? Remember, you do not have to use the carrier that you have been doing business with for the past decade. The fact of the matter is that things change, and if you find a new carrier with cheaper prices you should give them the chance to earn your business. Just make sure that you are not compromising quality.

4. Find out if there is a way that you can do without shipping certain items. Many companies think that they have to ship items, but all in all, this is not always the case. If there is a way around being required to ship. If you do need to ship smaller freight loads of items, look into LTL shipping.

5. Find a company that will give you a discount based on the amount of items and regularity that you ship them. This may not be easy to find, but some companies are willing to set up a special plan with you if you can guarantee them a certain amount of business.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can reduce your shipping costs. Remember, anything that you can do to save will improve your bottom line.

Ken Peters works for a transportation management company that specializes in ltl shipping. By choosing a high-quality ltl freight carrier you may be able to save yourself lots of time and money.

5 Tips on Preparing your Shipments for LTL carriers

Do you ship a lot of good?s Is this something that you do on a regular basis? If so, you are well aware of how important it is to prepare your shipment. After all, if you do not do this right you are asking for trouble. It is safe to say that when the recipient receives the package that they are going to want the item to be in perfect shape. For this reason, you need to know how to prepare your item(s) for shipment.

Here are five tips that will help you to prepare your shipment with success.

1. Make sure that every item you send is packaged in the appropriate manner. As you can imagine, this can differ greatly based on what you are shipping.

2. It is better to be overly cautious than to not be cautious enough. Remember, you cannot afford to have any items damaged during the shipping process. If you have to add a bit of extra padding, so be it. The bottom line is that your reputation is on the line each time you make a shipment. You want to be 100 percent sure that nothing gets damaged along the way.

3. Consider all of the packing options that are available to you. Chances are that if you or your company have experience shipping items that you know what boxes and packing are best. But even then, you should never settle. If you think that there is a better way of doing things, by all means look into it.

4. Take the time to properly mark any shipments that need it. For instance, does one package need special care? If so, you want to make sure that all of the handlers are aware of this. Sometimes it is not enough to rely on people to take care of your shipment. But when you give them an extra hint you can all but ensure that everything will be taken care of.

5. Even if you are familiar and comfortable with packaging items, you should always take your time. Remember, when you begin to rush you will begin to make mistakes. No matter how long it takes, make sure that your shipment is always as secure as possible. Being in a hurry is no excuse for shoddy shipping. Your recipient will not want to hear your excuses.

Ken Peters works for a transportation management company that specializes in freight shipping. By receiving online freight quotes you may be able to save yourself lots of time and money.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Growing Freight Rail Crisis Threatens America's Economic Security

Relying on America's rail system is like rolling the dice for the farmers, electric utilities, factories and chemical companies whose only choice is to send and receive critical commodities by rail. They have no way to negotiate, leverage or purchase reliable delivery from the railroads at any price.

As a result, American electric companies have been forced to import coal and American manufacturers are losing out to foreign competitors who can move products across oceans for far less. The consequence is that our nation's consumers are paying more for everything from electricity to bread to plastics.

This growing crisis is getting increased attention in Washington, D.C., where more than 270 rail customers, representing more than 10 industries and from more than 35 states, recently urged Congress to reform the nation's rail system to help ensure a strong, competitive American economy.

In response, a bipartisan group of congressional leaders has introduced two pieces of legislation to remove the railroads' antiquated antitrust exemptions so they play by the same rules that govern other American industries, and make the railroads more accountable and competitive by reforming the Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency charged with overseeing the railroads.

"A reliable, efficient freight rail system is critical for a strong, competitive American economy," says Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and chair of Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE). "The lack of competition in the nation's freight rail system is jeopardizing the economic security of the country."

Congress last focused on national rail policy in 1980, when it attempted to move the rail industry away from pervasive regulation and toward competition to ensure a healthy, competitive rail system able to serve all Americans. "However," adds English, "Congress did not finish the job. As a result, American railroads today are functioning like monopolies-earning record profits and abusing their market power with unreliable deliveries and unreasonably high costs."

Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council and a member of the Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE) campaign, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Scott Parsley, board member of American Coalition for Ethanol, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jim Kerr, president of National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners urge Congress to act on rail reform at a Capitol Hill press conference.

To learn more, visit To let your elected officials know your opinion about this or any other issue, visit and www. senate.gov.

Air Freight Tax - What are the Charges?

In the United States the Airport and Airway Trust Fund are providing funds for capital improvements to the US airport and airway system and in order to fund the aviation trust fund taxes have been imposed on both commercial and non-commercial aviation. Below we are going to look at air freight tax and what exactly it is with reference to the United States.

There are two types of taxes that are imposed on the air freight services as follows:

1. Waybill tax imposed on freight transportation.

2. Fuel taxes on gasoline and jet fuel for freight services (non-commercial aviation)

1. Waybill Tax

In the United States air freight tax is charged on all domestic air cargo transportation at 6.25% ad valorem excise tax and this tax only applies to transportation that begins and ends in the United States. But unlike air passenger taxes the shippers are the ones liable for the air freight tax payment and so transportation providers are subject to penalties if they fail to make reasonable efforts to collect the tax that has been imposed. In the United States there is no disclosure requirement with regard to air freight tax and this tax expires after the 30 September 2007.

2. Fuel Tax

Where freight services are concerned (non-commercial aviation) they are only subject to a fuel tax and the rates for both gasoline and jet fuel are shown below.

1. Non-commercial aviation is taxed at 19.4cents per gallon of aviation gasoline

2. Non-commercial aviation is taxed at 21.9cents per gallon on jet fuel.

Air freight companies also need to factor in an additional 0.1 cent leaking underground storage tank trust fund tax as well.

As you will soon discover that in order for air freight companies to make a profit they will usually include a surcharge on their quotations and bills to help towards the cost of the air freight tax that they are required to pay. So it is advisable when looking at using an air freight company in the future you read the small print of their contract in order to know exactly what you are paying for.

Evert DuToit is a writer and website publisher from Pittsburgh, PA. For more information about the air freight industry, and the cost of air freight, visit us at

Get The Training That You Need To Work From Home

Do you need to work from home? If you are unable to afford transportation to or from work, if you are unable to afford the cost of childcare, or if you are disabled, you may need to work from home. However, with a recent increase in popularity, finding a legitimate work at home job or business opportunity can seem like a long and complicated task. If you would like to increase your chances of successfully working from home, you are urged to seek additional training. In the end, this training may set you apart from other candidates or business owners.

When it comes to furthering education, there are many individuals who automatically assume that they need to return to college and get a degree. This, simply, is not true. There are a large number of courses that you can take, locally and online, that are not considered college courses. Despite being unable to earn credits towards a degree, there are a number of different reasons why you should consider furthering your education. These reasons and their benefits are outlined below.

One of the many reasons why you should think about seeking additional training is because it is easy to do. As it was mentioned above, many training courses are offered locally and online. For instance, if you are interested in taking a training course that will help you learn how to work at home as a freight broker, but that class is only available in the Dallas area, you can still take the course. Instead of taking it locally, in a classroom setting, you will just need to take it online. This type of course is often referred to as an eCourse.

Another one of the many reasons why you should think about furthering your education, or at least your training, is because there are literally an unlimited number of fields for you to choose from. Above, freight brokering was used as an example. Freight brokers are individuals who pair truck drivers with product manufacturers; manufacturers who need their products moved from one location to another. Although you may make a substantial profit working from home as a freight broker, it is not your only option. In fact, it is possible to find thousands of different training courses, which specialize in a wide variety of different work from home opportunities, in your local community or online. Essentially, all you really need to decide is decide what direction you would like your career to head in and choose a training course from there.

It is also important to note that many work at home training courses are affordable. When you think of all of the information that you will walk away with, they are actually reasonably price. In fact, the amount of education you receive in one training course is often compared to a four year degree at an accredited college or university; the only difference is the cost. Despite being reasonably price, you may be able to seek financial assistance. A large number of training course companies offering financing to qualifying students. Should you successfully complete the training course in question and start working, whether you start your own company or work for an existing one, you may be able to pay for your training in no time at all.

Since a large number of individuals and companies offer careering training courses, both locally and online, you will want to carefully choose your training course. It may be a good idea to use the internet to research similar training courses, to find the one that best fit your needs. If you are in need of financing, it is important that you search for courses that offer financial assistance, which is often in the form of a loan. It is also important that you take a training course where you will receive a certificate of completion at the end. This certificate of completion will be important, particularly when it comes to starting your own business. It may help increase your chances of obtaining new clients.

The above mentioned reasons are just a few of the many reasons why you should at least look into furthering your education, whether it is with a degree or a career training course. To get you started in your search, you may want to examine the career training courses currently offered at B Our online course was the best rated home business by top education officials. Among the best careers for women or mothers that are working from home.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Doing it the People's Way with Air Canada Freight

Doing it the People's Way with Air Canada Freight

Everyday around the world, people are constantly in need of a service provided that can transport their packages from one destination to the other. In answer to this need, air Canada freight is continuously upgrading their strategies and methods to cater to satisfy their customers' need.

In addition, this freight service is also expanding in different parts of the world. This is because it is important that even far off places have their own reliable air freight provider.

What people are looking in an air freight provider?

1. Reliability.

People want their packages to be handled and delivered properly. This is because they want their packages to arrive at its destination in the same condition that is sent. That is why people want their service provider to be reliable.

Gaining the trust of customers is not that easy. They are always on the lookout for another which will is better than what they have already. But then, once they know that no other company can do what theirs are capable of, that is the time when they will be converted to loyal customers.

Showing the customers how reliable you are will gain more repeat clients. In addition, they are likely to recommend you to other people who might be in need of the same service.

2. Competitive price.

When people think of air freight services, the first thing that comes to mind is the price. Because of the nature of the business, it is a common misconception that it is expensive and that not everyone can afford them.

With the many competing air freight services now available, there are already sudden changes in the price already. Before, customers need to pay for the customs fee or rates that are converted depending on the destination.

Nowadays, you can easily choose one provider that offers the best service at the lowest price.

3. Speed of service.

There are air freight services that do not conform to the promised time of delivery. This is what irritates customers the most. Before you know it, they will be looking for another provider that delivers what they say they will.

The speed of service is one of the vital factors needed in an air freight service provider. That is the initial purpose of the packages after all. It can be noted that the speed of the delivery should not compromise the quality of the package. These two should go hand in hand. Without the other, it can never work.

4. Far reaching.

Ever been in a situation wherein your provider did not accept your package because they do not cater to that certain destination? This can really irritate customers.

Packages are sent not only on usual locations and famous places. There are also important materials or things that should be sent to locations that are just as important.

The air freight service provider should know have a comprehensive knowledge about important places that are not the usual point of delivery. There should have one or two employees who should specialize in the familiarization of different localities.

Air Canada freight is aware of what people want in their service provider. This is the reason why there are continuous updates on how best to improve the tools, machines and the personnel that they have. If this means that they will be on top of the list of air freight provider, then all the effort will definitely be worth it.

Tracing the History of the Air Freight Forwarding Industry

Man has always had a fascination for flying, ever finding ways to take to the skies and fly to distant places. This fascination, a dream that wouldn't die generation after generation, was what eventually led to the birth of airplanes.

Today, airplanes are mainly responsible for taking us to any point in the world. Airplanes have become major transportation carriers. Not only do airplanes enable us to visit a friend or a loved in another continent, airplanes also carry shipments -- from small items to large ones.

The idea of using an airplane to transport shipments took seed in 1910. According to aviation history, a shipment of silk was flown from Dayton to Columbus, Ohio. This shipment is believed to be the first air freight demonstration.

Nine years later, another airplane became freight carrier. The cargo: a converted bomber that weighed over a thousand pounds. Shipped by the American Railway Express, the converted bomber was flown to Chicago from Washington D.C. The journey was not uneventful, though. A frozen radiator forced the pilot to land the plane in Ohio.

The 1920s saw several airlines operate as freight carriers, catering only to American businesses. The arrival of air freight has helped businesses transport merchandise more rapidly as well as shorten the time they need to conclude transactions.

Between 1927 and 1931, the number and size of air freight cargo reached nearly a million pounds, up from 45,000 pounds. Commercial air freight began operating only after World War II ended although there were efforts to organize the air freight business prior to that.

American, United, TWA and Eastern -- the top four known airlines -- formed Air Cargo, Inc., which operated as an air freight company until the end of the war. However, United and TWA decided to operate their own air freight business in 1944.

The air freight industry was lucrative, which was why many small plane owners tried to get into the business but failed. The bigger airlines, concerned that the smaller airlines will adversely affect the industry's status quo, did not let smaller airlines into the air freight business. In addition, the big airlines did not want more competition. While many small plane operators tried and failed, the "Flying Tigers" survived. Known as the largest in air freight liner industry during its time, The Flying Tigers carried military and civilian cargo.

The air freight forwarding business may have had a good start, but it didn't really start developing until a man named Fred Smith started an air freight business that has become recognizable across the world -- Federal Express, or simply FedEx.

FedEx is one of the air freight carriers enjoying a great degree of success. FedEx uses modern technology (e.g., air freight software) in responding to the needs of its customers. The air freight software that FedEx uses, the latest in the freight forwarding industry, can resolve problems in the system as well as give customers services that are cost effective.

FedEx and UPS, another air freight carrier, are considered the two most reliable air freight forwarding companies in the United States today.

Please visit

Air Freight Knowledge Base  for more info.

The Courier Service Trucking Industry: You Can Avoid Unsafe Shipping Practices

Many trucking companies and industrial courier service providers do not enforce safe shipping practices, let alone train drivers to follow proper safety procedures. Lost or dropped shipments are some of the main problems in this trucking industry which are only compounded by damages incurred that can increase your costs as you wait for a replacement item to appear. If you are in the market for a new courier service company, the following unsafe practices are something you must be aware of to avoid trouble later on.

Countless accidents on roadways have made the evening news, accidents which often involve a driver's load being dropped onto the street with extensive damage to freight, vehicles, and people being the end result of such mishaps. A quick survey of the news over the past year reveals the following types of accidents among those taking place:

· Vehicles have caught fire on freeways simply from running over objects which were lying in the road

· Precious and / or expensive [as well as hard to replace] cargo is damaged

· Traffic tie-ups have occurred due to cargo being dropped on the roads while the driver manually loads everything back onto their decks

· Most freight is simply too heavy to manually lift back onto the vehicle, thus further time consuming arrangements must be made to have pickers or forklifts in place to remove cargo from the roads

· Accidents involving passenger vehicles situated directly behind the offending truck occurs as cargo falls off and hits cars

· Increased risk of injury to motorists, even death have taken place; in one grave circumstance an accident caused a person to be decapitated on a local freeway when a large metal disk flew from the truck and sailed through the car's windshield after hitting a bump in the road

· Spills, including chemical spills and dangerous goods have taken place shutting down entire roadways as hazmat crews were called in to remedy the situation

Keeping problems such as these from happening in the first place does take some effort, but they are well worth it. These efforts should include: strapping the loads down with whatever is suitable for that particular cargo such as nylon woven straps, chains, and tie downs, and having boxes secured or placed safely in the cab of the vehicle. Basically, if you were to turn a properly secured vehicle upside down, nothing should fall off or out of it.

Please know that simply having gated sides on a courier service truck is usually not enough to secure your cargo as bumps in the road, the sudden need to slam on the brakes, or even navigating sharp corners can prove deadly to anyone who is near to the falling cargo.

All straps used must be rated for the proper weight of the shipment without any nicks in them as this could cause them to break. In addition, the ratchets must always be in proper working condition or they will not do their job. No weak links or corrosion can be allowed on any of the chains which are being used for that shipment. For that matter, nylon woven straps do a superior job in securing a load than chains do in most circumstances. Padding must be placed on sharp edges to prevent the straps from getting cut while vehicles and equipment should be diligently maintained and undergo regular safety checks.

Safe shipping procedures are just as critical to one's business as they are to one's health.

Large fines are imposed by the DOT (Department of Transportation) for unsafe shipping practices, but countless drivers flout the law anyway. Penalties of $5000 or more can be assessed while in some jurisdictions the truck and its contents can be impounded when egregious situations do occur. The threat of litigation and fines should be a deterrent, unfortunately for some drivers and companies it simply is not.

If you were to query offending courier drivers you would learn that many would say that they're too busy to adequately strap their shipments while others simply do not care to make an effort. Legally, it is the driver's responsibility to secure their loads. Therefore if a company is shipping something that isn't safely packaged or skidded, the driver must refuse to carry the cargo. Regardless, some will accept the cargo anyway for fear of offending a valuable customer or to avoid confrontation with the shipping company. Furthermore, some shippers do not understand all the abuse that cargo can go through while traversing bumpy roads so they don't take the needed measures to secure things properly and safely.

Likewise, there is the issue of lease owner operators who have a significant vested interest in equipment and costs versus the hourly paid drivers who use company vehicles. With some members of this latter group they have nothing to lose with very little incentive to even care.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a good trucking company or courier, then you must select one who has safety policies and procedures in place that they mandate their drivers to follow, regardless of whether they're owner operators or company drivers. If a customer sees a driver pulling away from their lot without having adequately secured the shipment to the deck of the vehicle, they should call the courier company to lodge a formal complaint after ordering the driver to stop immediately to secure their load. Any courier service or trucking company that is not willing to follow industry accepted safety practices should be dismissed for the sake of your goods as well as for the public's safety.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Courier Service Secrets Revealed: Courier Company Rush Delivery and Holdbacks

Your courier service is the front line between your products and your customers. Uncovering some of the practices a number of courier companies use can make a world of difference in finding an unfailing courier; one which will provide a positive extension of your company, making the right impression that will help you to grow your business.

You're on your way to the Edmonton Oiler's hockey playoff game, and your cell phone rings. It's your most valuable customer; they're working on a construction project on a major bridge spanning the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta, and there's been a gas leak. They need one of your specialized drill bits, and they need it STAT! They can't come to pick it up as they're frantically dealing with their emergency on hand. 

What should you do? You've spent over $200 for your hockey tickets which are nearly impossible to get, and it's the playoffs! On the other hand, you certainly can't let down your major customer! You call your courier service expecting that they'll handle your emergency, but it's now 7 p.m. You place the call, there is no answer, and panic begins to set in.

You need to find a courier company that works after hours, and you need to find one fast. You pull over to a phone booth and fumble through the directory in a frenzy for a courier available at this late hour, but you don't have an account with them. Moreover, how do you know that you're going to even find someone who is reliable? You place call after call before you finally make contact with a knowledgeable human being on the other end, not a person that's simply taking messages for the company after hours. After this day's worth of unpleasant experiences, you swear to yourself that your first mission tomorrow is to find yourself a new courier company who is available to handle emergency situations. 

How are you going to find a new courier service? The majority of local courier companies don't have as much as a published website, so you need to let your fingers do the walking in the big Yellow Book or you can try your Yellow Pages directory online for local courier express, where you will find a company that cares enough about their business that they've made an investment in a quality website. You can learn plenty about a company through the efforts they put into presenting factual content on their website.

To Begin with, look for a courier service that advertises that they provide 24/7 courier service, 365 days a year. Try calling them after hours while you're at it, to see what kind of actual live response you'll get in your search. They may only have an answering service for after hours, and you'll be wasting precious time waiting for their response. If the courier services seem unable or unwilling to assist you, then you would be better off looking elsewhere for a company who can meet your needs.

These types of scenarios happen all too frequently, so don't be caught unawares. Come up with a contingency plan for the worst case situations.

Some courier companies practice a an unacceptable policy of leaving the deliveries on board with a driver who has gotten called for a hot shot or point to point delivery. Businesses are already waiting for these deliveries, so if the courier held back on regular delivery to get a full load, they're now even further behind.

Some courier express companies will holdback on regular delivery even though they aren't busy. They'll park roadside and let time pass until they come for pickup or they will pick up your order quickly and then holdback on delivery. This is a less than desirable practice meant to force your hand to call in for a freight rush service!

A reputable courier service will never follow unacceptable industry practices. A company aspiring to provide an optimum level of service will capture and deliver your shipment as soon as they're able to do so, even if it isn't a freight rush service. Unfortunately, many couriers do not follow the industry's best practices when it comes to delivering your goods.

As a note of reference, it is important to understand that you should not take advantage of the courier express company that operates in this manner by not calling for a freight rush service when you honestly need it. One reason why a courier company practices holdbacks on regular delivery is to force you to upgrade to rush courier service when it is a rush. You never know, the one time that you actually needed your delivery on a rush will be the time that your courier was too busy to deliver as quickly as you had expected. Now you're in trouble with your customer!

Understanding some of the fundamentals in making decisions for which courier company you use will be one of the most important things your company needs to be aware of. Your best arsenal to prevent a poor company image with delivery of your products is to be informed of many of the less than desirable practices for courier service which some companies perpetuate and stay away from those who do not uphold the industry's best practices.

Church Staff: Are You Ready for the Holidays?

Just hearing these words sends a sense of dread through me. No, I am not ready for the holidays. Gosh it's just barely October and now you are already talking about the Holiday's…. We are not talking about how big a turkey to roast or how to hang stockings with care.

Instead we are talking about the physical equipment needed each year during the holidays to stage all the wonderful pageantry your church presents. While the necessary equipment such as mobile stages, risers and partitions are often the backdrop to the presentation itself, they are absolutely critical to the safety and success of the production.

Holiday performances present some unique challenges for the Church staff. How will they deal with the increase in demands for physical equipment, moving more people about and having all needs fulfilled at the right time, making sure everybody is safe using the stages, with the same number of staff?

How will you provide risers for the large adult choir and the preschool children's choir at the same time? It may seem trivial, but each family member wants to be able to hear and see their loved ones from every angle, whether it is Grandpa Jim or little Johnny. How can you have enough risers for the holidays and then not use them again for four months. How will you come up with multiple stages when the only one available is in the family center, and it's booked already? Where and how will they be stored? Do you rent or buy?

All these questions really point to a growing trend in church infrastructure. Some Churches are moving away from the static rows and rows of hard stationary pews and infrastructure in favor of more flexible, movable components. This can be because of the vastly changing roll of the church providing more community services and therefore needing more flexibility in their staging capabilities. Or this might be because the church is in the building growth stage of the church life and are starting with large multipurpose rooms that will have multiple uses every week.

What used to comprise the standard church was a large sanctuary that is predominately used on Sunday for weekly worship services. Then there would be Sunday School classrooms, again used on Sundays and a few offices for the minister and staff.

What has changed is that the church has taken on a much more dynamic roll in the community. Instead of the sanctuary, you might find a large multipurpose room filled with chairs instead of stationary pews. Once the weekly worship service has concluded, the chairs may be moved or rearranged so the space could be used for evening youth groups events. In order to accomplish this, free standing portable partitions may be brought in to separate groups and provide for privacy and sound absorption.

Along this line are portable stages, choral risers for both sitting and standing performances, portable risers that can be moved to the event and folding chairs and tables that can be stored and moved with dollies and caddies.

Sunday School rooms might become day care centers or meeting rooms every night of the week and must be able to change with the need.

Whether your church is one large room with many purposes or a large church with many rolls and a need for flexibility in their staging equipment, the need for flexibility and portability is greater than ever. Now is the time to think about all the ways you will be using the staging equipment to ensure you purchase the most versatile types possible that will fulfill your needs and requirements for this Holiday season and years to come.

Now, back to that turkey question?????

For more information contact Wren Ovard at 800-599-6636 or via email: wren@

GPS: Your Virtual Tour Guide

OK so you finally have gotten around to that sojourn you've been planning for months. You've saved up some cash and want to go on a grand road trip or trek through out the jungles of the amazon.

The difficulty is you don't know your way around your own backyard! How on earth will you be able to enjoy yourself if you are rummaging around with your map and compass!

Though GPS will not convert a directionally-challenged person into an experienced outdoorsmen, it will with out a doubt help those who use it correctly to get from one region to another without a hitch.

Envision for example if you are planning on going to on a trip around a particular themed destination- let's say Mount Rushmore for example. Not only will you be able to get to Mount Rushmore, but you will see instantly what other attractions are within your traveling range!

Imagine finding other attractions and public attractions that are already in and around what you had set out for? Or if you want to go commute interstate around Mount Rushmore to see other locations and interests, a GPS device will help you get there quite simply! So it is very possible to travel to the surrounding states and attractions within the same amount of time that you more often than not would spend at a single attraction.

Many GPS providers come with preloaded destination settings that provides backwards and forwards directions to not only attractions, but important pitstops such as gas stations, hotels, motels, and lodges.

This is THE way to travel. I am sure once you try GPS on one of your vacations, you will NEVER leave home without it!

Car tracking gadget advancements will enable you to keep a close eye on your automobiles easily.

Use a car tracking device and keep your vehicle safer!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

How GPS Saves You Gas

Unless you've been residing on a deserted island (and under a rock at the same time) you see that gas prices are not everyone's cup of tea - unless you are an oil tycoon.

For those who live in big cities where mass transportation is widely accessible, it's fairly simple to bypass this problem by opting to take them instead of using your own car to travel to and fro to work. But for the good number of us, driving is not going away anytime soon.

Owning a GPS system installed in your car will reduce your gas prices. How? It will frequently giving the most direct routes to whichever destination you need to go. If it's raining hard and visibility is lower than usual, a GPS can serve as a navigation partner to help you find your way home or to wherever you want to go. This saves you time and gas from spinning your wheels, potentially getting lost along the way, and giving yourself a migraine in the course.

Not only does a GPS give you accurate directions, it also provides for forecasts as to how it will take to get to a certain place via a particular path. You can then compare paths and time anticipations. When you take all of this into consideration, you will realize that paying a few hundred for a brand new GPS unit is not much considering how much it will save you year in and year out.

I mean let's take a small example. Let's say it costs you $30 each time you go fill up your tank. Imagine that before getting your GPS system you had to get you tank filled on average once a week. That's $1,520 for an entire year.

Now on the flip side, let's imagine you got you GPS unit up and rolling. With improved efficiency in getting to your destinations, you effectively have reduced the amount of wasted gas as a result of not getting sidetracked or getting lost while driving. Perhaps you will only have to get your tank filled up once every two weeks instead- in which case you will only be spending $760 a year for gas- or a savings of 50%.

These are just sample numbers, but you can see how you can get a return on your investment over and over again merely by purchasing a GPS system which varies anywhere from $100 or so to $1000 or more. But you don't need to get the fanciest model right out of the starting gate. Anything within the $200-$400 range should give you a very resilient system in general.

GPS live tracking offerings will allow you to keep tabs on your most significant possessions.

GPS amplifier products are a key component in unleashing the true power of your GPS handheld or system.

Tools

When you start work on any kind of construction project it is important to first make sure that you have the right kind of tools, and that you know how to use those tools. Luckily the internet is here to help. With product price comparison technologies, the prices of tools on the internet has truly plummeted. It is now possible to find high quality tools for literally a third or less of what you might have paid at your local hardware store just a few years ago. One of the other nice benefits of this evolution is that our local hardware stores have had to reduce their prices (at least somewhat) to compete with the new online stores.

True, often times you have to pay shipping charges, but many stores offer free shipping or shipping programs like Amazon prime where you just pay a yearly fee that is relatively small and then get all your products shipped for free. In the case of Amazon, it is especially nice because that free shipping is Fed Ex 2 day shipping which means you will get your product quickly (they actually also charge just $3.99 if you want your product sent by overnight mail!).

I would still recommend talking with friends or construction professionals who work with tools on a daily basis prior to making a purchase. The reason is simply that there is nothing in the world as frustrating as having a tool that does not get the job done , or gets the job done only very poorly. Often times, cheap or low quality tools can also be dangerous—it simply is not worth the risky to buy low quality equipment.

Once you have located the high quality equipment you are looking for, it is important to make sure you know how to use it. The first and most obvious solution is to carefully read the instruction manual that came with the product. Second, it is nice if you have a friend or colleague who can show you how to operate a new tool or piece of machinery that you are not yet familiar with. Finally, you can purchase specialized books on the internet that will carefully guide you through the process of learning to use your tool.

What kind of tools will you be able to find on the internet? This is a question I get a lot when I suggest online shopping to my coworkers. They say "online you get junk if you are lucky enough to get anything at all." I am sorry to say, but that is a very 1990s way of thinking. The internet today is a very safe place to make a purchase, perhaps even more so than your local hardware store that has the no refunds sign posted in the window. Most online stores offer high quality name brand tools in their catalogs and the majority of them also offer comprehensive return policies and even manufacturer warranties. Finally, the additional benefit to shopping online is simply that you are almost always able to find the hard to get products that just would not be available at your local store. If you take my advice, and give shopping for tools on the internet a try, I doubt you will be going back to your local hardware store any time soon.

You can find great tools online at the harbor freight tools information site.

GPS: Don't Get Detoured

As you read evaluations and news on GPS products, here are a few tips to make sure that you will get maximum benefit from it. For one thing, only buy GPS from companies that regularly update their software and maps.

The purpose of GPS is to help navigation become an easier task, therefore if the data and maps are not updated regularly and easily, then everything becomes a moot point. In general these updates should be free when you acquire the GPS unit.

It would be fantastic if there were instantaneous reminders that updates are accessible so you don't need to manually check every now and then.

An additional area of consideration before you purchase a GPS product, is it's level of personalization. You do not want to get something that doesn't allow you to specify the settings and such to your likings. More often than not a global positioning systems unit will not work 100 percent the way you would like for it to work for you, therefore configurations will be inevitable.

The ability to instantiate tweaks on the go is helpful as you may need to make changes to your route every now and then. Having a detour option is also a very beneficial asset to the overall package.

GPS live tracking services will allow you to keep tabs on your most valuable belongings.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Semi Truck Accessories - Trick My Truck Tips For Truckers

Last fall, CMT (Country Music Television) introduced a six 6 show pilot called "Trick My Truck. It is a new reality show featuring a deserving trucker and his 18-wheeler in each episode. The show is a theme similar to pimpmyride and overhaulin, where old vehicles are restored except the target vehicles are semi trucks. A crew of experts searches the truck stops of America looking for run-down trucks whose owners are in need of a break. With the secret help of family members, the owner operator's big rig is "hijacked", and completely revamped with all the latest and greatest features and equipment.

Since independent truckers pretty much live in their rigs, dressing up their favorite big rig with exterior, interior, and lighting big rig accessories makes life a whole lot more pleasant, allowing them to bring comforts of home, such as a fridge and microwave, with them on the road.

How to trick your truck is 5 easy steps

When truckers leave home for the road, there focus is usually on everything but finding semi truck chrome accessories for their truck. However, something may spark them to call us on a whim and ask: "where can I find semi truck accessories to trick my truck?" Here are some tips to find the big rig accessories you need.

1. Have the last 8 digits of your VIN available

Unlike light truck accessories, semi truck accessories are manufacturered specifically for a truck, such as Peterbilt accessories or kenworth accessories. Or, semi truck accessory manufacturers also produce universal accessories. Universal accessories are designed to be used on all makes and models of trucks. If you have the VIN available, a good semi truck accessory distributor can look up your truck and see specific manufacturer diagrams to determine if accessories are specifically made for your vehicle. For example, if you're looking for Peterbilt chrome or Freightliner accessories, they are easier to locate with a VIN.

2. A picture says a thousand words

It makes it much easier for a semi truck accessory supplier to find accessories for your truck if they have a quality photo to work with when they communicate with semi truck accessory manufacturers. Many times we can locate specific parts with a broadcast email to many semi truck accessory manufacturers.

3. Dinosaurs (paper catalogs) are extinct. Online catalogs are the way to go.

On any given day, we will receive 15-20 requests for catalogs. Print costs and paper are extremely expensive and usually produced every two years. They also significantly impact the cost structure of big rig accessories. Online catalogs are the best to locate your semi truck accessories because most manufacturers keep their websites current with the latest additions to their product lines. For example, Rockwood products has several new Peterbilt accessories that you can only see on their website.

4. Let your cell phone do your shopping

find a supplier willing to become your chrome guy that has the knowledge and expertise to find what you need. Call them with your VIN, tell them what you want, and let them do their job. We receive many calls each day from truckers looking to trick their truck with the newest semi truck accessories. The conversation always begins with " where can I find this accessory"! Let the supplier find what you need and the entire transaction can take place over the phone!

5. Older trucks need love too!

At least two to three times a day someone calls with an older truck application. They are usually frustrated because they haven't found any chrome for their truck. Ask your supplier if a custom quote is available for the accessory you want. this is not an unusual request. Semi truck manufacturers have the tooling in place to make almost any customized semi truck accessory you request.

From roof to fender to grill to cab, you can find all the accessories you need that will have your truck reflecting your independent and freewheeling spirit. Using the tips we discussed, you shouldn't have any problem dressing up your truck with trickmytruck semi truck accessories.

The author has twenty five years experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales, marketing, product management, benchmarking and best practices, and E-Commerce web development. He is currently a Manager of Marketing and E-Commerce Business Development, and the webmaster behind a semi truck parts and accessory site

He can be reached anytime at 888-802-0010.

Semi Truck Accessories - Trick My Truck Tips For Truckers

Semi Truck Accessories - Creative Trick My Truck Tips For Owner Operatorsby Michael Ottman

Last fall, CMT (Country Music Television) introduced a six 6 show pilot called "Trick My Truck. It is a new reality show that will feature a deserving trucker and his 18-wheeler in each episode. The show is a platform similar to pimpmyride and overhaulin, where old vehicles are restored except the target vehicles are semi trucks. A crew of experts searches the truck stops of America looking for run-down trucks whose owners are in need of a break. With the secret help of family members, the owner operator's big rig is "hijacked", and completely revamped with all the latest and greatest features and equipment.Since independent truckers pretty much live in their rigs, dressing up their favorite big rig with exterior, interior, and lighting big rig accessories makes life a whole lot more pleasant, allowing them to bring comforts of home, such as a fridge and microwave, with them on the road.

1. How to trick your truck is 5 easy steps When truckers leave home for the road, there focus is usually on everything but finding semi truck chrome accessories for their truck. However, sometinhg may spark them to call us on a whim and ask: "where can I find semi truck accessories to trick my truck?" Here are some creative ways to find the big rig accessories you need.

2. Have the last 8 digits of your VIN available Unlike light truck accessories, semi truck accessories are manufacturered specifically for a truck, such as Peterbilt accessories or kenworth accessories. Or, semi truck accessory manufacturers also produce universal accessories. Universal accessories are designed to be used on all makes and models of trucks. If you have the VIN available, a good semi truck accessory distributor can look up your truck and see specific manufacturer diagrams to determine if accessories are specifically made for your vehicle. For example, if you're looking for Peterbilt chrome or Freightliner accessories, they are easier to locate with a VIN.

3. A picture says a thousand words It makes it much easier for a semi truck accessory supplier to find accessories for your truck if they have a quality photo to work with when they communicate with semi truck accessory manufacturers. Many times we can locate specific parts with a broadcast email to many semi truck accessory manufacturers.

4. Let the dinosaurs (paper catalogs) become extinct! On any given day, we will receive 15-20 requests for catalogs. Print costs and paper are extremely expensive and usually produced every two years. They also significanlty impact the cost structure of big rig accessories. Online catalogs are the best to locate your semi truck accessories because most manufacturers keep their websites current with the latest additions to their product lines. For example, Roadworks has several new Peterbilt accessories that you can only see on their website.

5. Let your cell phone do your shopping I reccomend you find a supplier that has the knowledge and expertise to find what you need. Call them with your VIN, tell them what you want, and let them do their job. We receive many calls each day from truckers looking to trick their truck with semi truck accessories. The conversation always begins with " where can I find this accessory"! Let the supplier find what you need and the entire transaction can take place over the phone!

6. Older trucks need love too! At least two to three times a day somone calls with an older truck application. They are usually frustrated because they haven't found any chrome for their truck. Ask your supplier if a custom quote is available for the accessory you want. this is not an unusual request. Semi truck manufactuers have the tooling in place to make almost any custoimzed semi truck accesory you request.

From roof to fender to grill to cab, you can find all the accessories you need that will have your truck reflecting your independent and freewheeling spirit. Using the tips we discussed, you shouldn't have any problem dressing up your truck with trickmytruck semi truck accessories.

The author has twenty five years experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales, marketing, product management, benchmarking and best practices, and E-Commerce web development. He is currently a Manager of Marketing and E-Commerce Business Development, and the webmaster behind a semi truck parts and accessory site He can be reached anytime at 888-802-0010.You can sign up for his newsletter and monthly email specials, and a monthly drawing for a $100 trickmytruck chrome card giveaway at:

The author has twenty five years experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales, marketing, product management, benchmarking and best practices, and E-Commerce web development. He is currently a Manager of Marketing and E-Commerce Business Development, and the webmaster behind a semi truck parts and accessory site

He can be reached anytime at 888-802-0010.

You can sign up for his newsletter and monthly email specials, and a monthly drawing for a $100 trickmytruck chrome card giveaway at:

Semi Truck Accessories - Trick My Truck Tips For Truckers

Semi Truck Accessories - Creative Trick My Truck Tips For Owner Operatorsby Michael Ottman

Last fall, CMT (Country Music Television) introduced a six 6 show pilot called "Trick My Truck. It is a new reality show that will feature a deserving trucker and his 18-wheeler in each episode. The show is a platform similar to pimpmyride and overhaulin, where old vehicles are restored except the target vehicles are semi trucks. A crew of experts searches the truck stops of America looking for run-down trucks whose owners are in need of a break. With the secret help of family members, the owner operator's big rig is "hijacked", and completely revamped with all the latest and greatest features and equipment.Since independent truckers pretty much live in their rigs, dressing up their favorite big rig with exterior, interior, and lighting big rig accessories makes life a whole lot more pleasant, allowing them to bring comforts of home, such as a fridge and microwave, with them on the road.

1. How to trick your truck is 5 easy steps When truckers leave home for the road, there focus is usually on everything but finding semi truck chrome accessories for their truck. However, sometinhg may spark them to call us on a whim and ask: "where can I find semi truck accessories to trick my truck?" Here are some creative ways to find the big rig accessories you need.

2. Have the last 8 digits of your VIN available Unlike light truck accessories, semi truck accessories are manufacturered specifically for a truck, such as Peterbilt accessories or kenworth accessories. Or, semi truck accessory manufacturers also produce universal accessories. Universal accessories are designed to be used on all makes and models of trucks. If you have the VIN available, a good semi truck accessory distributor can look up your truck and see specific manufacturer diagrams to determine if accessories are specifically made for your vehicle. For example, if you're looking for Peterbilt chrome or Freightliner accessories, they are easier to locate with a VIN.

3. A picture says a thousand words It makes it much easier for a semi truck accessory supplier to find accessories for your truck if they have a quality photo to work with when they communicate with semi truck accessory manufacturers. Many times we can locate specific parts with a broadcast email to many semi truck accessory manufacturers.

4. Let the dinosaurs (paper catalogs) become extinct! On any given day, we will receive 15-20 requests for catalogs. Print costs and paper are extremely expensive and usually produced every two years. They also significanlty impact the cost structure of big rig accessories. Online catalogs are the best to locate your semi truck accessories because most manufacturers keep their websites current with the latest additions to their product lines. For example, Roadworks has several new Peterbilt accessories that you can only see on their website.

5. Let your cell phone do your shopping I reccomend you find a supplier that has the knowledge and expertise to find what you need. Call them with your VIN, tell them what you want, and let them do their job. We receive many calls each day from truckers looking to trick their truck with semi truck accessories. The conversation always begins with " where can I find this accessory"! Let the supplier find what you need and the entire transaction can take place over the phone!

6. Older trucks need love too! At least two to three times a day somone calls with an older truck application. They are usually frustrated because they haven't found any chrome for their truck. Ask your supplier if a custom quote is available for the accessory you want. this is not an unusual request. Semi truck manufactuers have the tooling in place to make almost any custoimzed semi truck accesory you request.

From roof to fender to grill to cab, you can find all the accessories you need that will have your truck reflecting your independent and freewheeling spirit. Using the tips we discussed, you shouldn't have any problem dressing up your truck with trickmytruck semi truck accessories.

The author has twenty five years experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales, marketing, product management, benchmarking and best practices, and E-Commerce web development. He is currently a Manager of Marketing and E-Commerce Business Development, and the webmaster behind a semi truck parts and accessory site He can be reached anytime at 888-802-0010.You can sign up for his newsletter and monthly email specials, and a monthly drawing for a $100 trickmytruck chrome card giveaway at:

The author has twenty five years experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales, marketing, product management, benchmarking and best practices, and E-Commerce web development. He is currently a Manager of Marketing and E-Commerce Business Development, and the webmaster behind a semi truck parts and accessory site

He can be reached anytime at 888-802-0010.

You can sign up for his newsletter and monthly email specials, and a monthly drawing for a $100 trickmytruck chrome card giveaway at:

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Tips For Selecting The Right Trucking Company

When we need to avail of trucking or freight services, some of the qualities were in search for from a trucking company are reliability and speed. Of course, coverage and rates are important, too. But if you want to end up with the right trucking company for your needs, you have to dig deeper than that.

1. Time critical decision

When it comes to delivering and availing trucking services, clients are always concerned about the time. And rightly so because on-time deliveries are a must when good money is paid. Thus, when interviewing the trucking company representative, make sure you zero in on the following points:

2. Guarantees

What guarantees can the trucking company give to assure you that deliveries will be made on time? Delay What happens if theres a delay in delivery and its the drivers fault? How much discount will be given? What happens if fortuitous circumstances are the cause for delay?

SOP What happens in between the signing of order forms and the moment the parcel is dropped at its intended destination? How many stages are passed before the parcels on its way?

Late Orders What happens to orders that come after office hours? Will they also be delivered on the same day or queued for the next morning? Do they provide round-the-clock service so that late orders are also given same-day-delivery guarantees?

Urgent Deliveries Do they accept urgent orders? What is the shortest delivery time possible and how much distance or area does such a request cover? How much is the extra cost for urgent deliveries?

3. Service

If you want an ironclad assurance that products or parcels will be delivered on time, some trucking companies can offer you such a deal, but at an extra cost. And if fortuitous circumstances cause even a second in delay of deliveries, freight costs are usually completely cancelled. Even if you have no need to avail of this option now, its still better to ask the trucking company representative about such services just in case you get to need them in the future.

4. Coverage

Offshore Do they accept offshore deliveries? If so, how much are they changing and how long will such deliveries take? Which offshore states are covered by the trucking company? If its Hawaii, for instance, will the trucking company accept delivery orders to any part of Hawaii? If theres any time difference between the two areas, that will be followed for orders to be properly classified: the time difference of the receiver or sender? What kind of package protection will be provided to ensure the safety of the products?

5. International

Does the trucking company accept international deliveries? If so, what type of international coverage does it have? Will it accept deliveries only for certain continents or for nations that are at a certain distance from its country of origin? What about countries that international agencies have deemed dangerous? Will they accept deliveries bound for such places? Lastly, does the trucking service employ multi-lingual employees to ensure that deliveries are made to the right person at the right time and place?

6. Their rates

Does the trucking company offer any promos or discounts for high-volume deliveries? What are the terms and conditions that may affect the service rates of the company?

7. Training and performance

What standards does the trucking company require its drivers and delivery handlers to meet? Do they undergo any special training or class to improve their performance?

For more great trucking related articles and resources check out http://123

Is Invoice Factoring An Affordable Business Financing Solution?

In short, yes. Provided that your company meets certain criteria.

Invoice factoring has been gaining popularity as a tool to finance growing businesses. It is a solution that accelerates payments from slow paying clients, freeing up cash flow and allowing companies to grow. By eliminating the uncertainties of when they'll be paid, business owners can use factoring to stabilize their business and put it on a growth path.

However, factoring is not for everyone. For factoring to work, your business must meet certain criteria:

1. It must be established and have commercial or government (not consumer) sales

2. Your profit margins must be at least 12% or higher

3. Your biggest problem must be that clients are taking too long to pay their invoices

If you fit these criteria, then there is a chance that factoring financing will be a good solution for your business. It may not be as inexpensive as a business loan, but certainly will be significantly more flexible and easier to obtain.

Factoring will help you if:

1. You are turning away orders because you lack the cash flow

2. You risk missing key payments (rent, suppliers, payroll) because of cash flow

Factoring transactions are relatively simple. Once you invoice your client, you sell your invoice to the factor, who advances you up to 85% (on average) for your invoice. 15% is usually kept as a cushion to handle potential issues with the invoice. You get immediate funds from the advance while the factoring company waits to get paid. Once the client pays the invoice, the factoring company will rebate the 15% less their fee.

Factoring costs can vary depending on your financed volume, credit quality of your clients, payment cycles and industry. Generally speaking, factoring will cost 1.5% to 3.5% per month. However, most factors break their pricing in smaller ten-day increments, making cost more attractive. So a factor that charges 2.7% per month, would actually charge you 0.9% for every ten days the invoice is outstanding.

As you can see, invoice factoring is a reasonable alternative to other financing products, provided that you can meet certain criteria. Qualifying for invoice factoring is very easy, the biggest requirement is that you do business with credit worthy commercial or government clients.

About Commercial Capital LLC

Looking for a factoring company? We can provide you with factoring and invoice factoring financing. For more information, call Marco Terry (866) 730 1922 (Toll Free USA / Canada)

Automatically Tracking Your Car, Fleet, or Boat with GPS

There is a huge quantity of GPS products on the market for various requirements. For example there is a specific grouping of GPS products tailored for vehicle tracking and surveillance- in other words, tracking a car, a fleet, or any other automobile (hey you could even track a boat, etc).

Certain product lines are sold only through authorized distributors- these are generally the more higher end GPS units used by heavy industry or manufacturing companies.

Depending on your needs, you may consider GPS car tracking as a branch of security as well as something that can help fleet management companies or car rental facilities, etc, to improve business intelligence, cut costs, and find out who's slacking on the job.

Way back when, the primary security method for your vehicle was to have one of those annoying sounding alarm systems. And of course we all use the security bar we place on our steering wheels when parking. Well now for those extra paranoid folks out there you now have the option of using GPS tracking in case your car ever got stolen.

Or you could always pretend to be James Bond and follow your kids around to make sure they are not falling into the wrong crowd. Those are just a few possible things you can do. It's up to you to decide what you are looking to do.

The truth is, the global climate of security is not what it used to be, at least not in the . Therefore the sense of having an extra security can go a long way in these crazy times.

Please note that not all GPS offerings will be the same- depending on the bells and whistles you are looking for, and whether you want a third party to monitor and track you vehicle or even fleet of vehicles, there may be a subscription fee involved someplace.

Oh, be sure to remember that is that not all GPS models will work the same way. For example, if you want to track your personal vehicle, there may be a specific location that you must be within in order to track down the signal. Little things like this can make a big difference in your decision on a GPS car tracking system.

Use a car tracking device and keep your vehicle safer!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Shipping containers - Steel boxes that have revolutionized logistics

Everyone has seen them and wondered what is inside them, or even if there is anything inside at all. Shipping Containers, or just plain containers.

Shipping containers were invented in 1956 and changed dockyards from labor-intensive to capital-intensive institutions virtually overnight.

Shipping containers are large steel boxes that were originally designed to reduce the time a ship spent in port. Money was saved in port charges, as well as enabling a ship to make more round trips each year. A container ship can dock, unload and reload, if necessary, all in a fraction of the time it would have taken to unload a ship in the pre-container era.

Shipping containers are 40 feet long and have a multitude of uses. We see them stacked up in freight yards and on ships. we see them on trains and trucks and we see them outside factories being loaded or just used as temporary storage.

Container ships and therefore shipping containers were developed to speed loading time at the dockside and to reduce theft by dock workers. Before containers were introduced, thousands of individual packing cases had to be loaded by hand, time consuming and therefore expensive. Dock workers went on strike as they saw their jobs disappearing and the endless stream of pilfered goods too.

Container ports were built to handle the new container ships, with massive gantry cranes to manipulate the shipping containers easily from train to yard and then from yard to ship.

The time savings at the port are only the beginning, as the shipping container is quickly transferred to a truck and on to its final destination, without any risk of theft. Transit time is reduced and more perishable cargoes can be carried.

There are non-standard containers too. They are all the same size outside, but some have hangers to allow clothes to be transported and unloaded directly to the shop floor. There are ventilated containers for crops like coffee and cocoa and there are containers with extra-wide doors or lashing bars for extra load security.

Find shipping containers you need here. Visit this specialist resource site for other transport industry related resources.