Dive Brief:
- Southeastern Freight Lines added dimensioners to boost its accuracy in anticipation of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association’s pending freight classification overhaul, VP of Pricing and Traffic Clete Cordero said.
- The carrier installed 33 new dimensioners to enhance its freight handling accuracy and efficiency, taking its total to 121, Cordero said.
- The carrier has also made updates to its internal systems. There are over 2,000 items being revised under the National Motor Freight Classification, which is driving the company to implement programming adjustments so that the agency’s updates can be processed starting July 19.
Dive Insight:
To aid with NMFC classification changes going live on July 19, Southeastern Freight Lines and fellow carrier A. Duie Pyle are both increasing the amount of dimensioners to their operations. Dimensioning freight plays a critical role for both carrier and shippers, Cordero said.
“These devices use laser measurement to capture the exact length, width and height of freight, providing precise dimensional data. For carriers, having accurate visibility into the freight moving across their docks is essential to ensure fair, efficient pricing,” Cordero said.
The accuracy of the dimensions is what will make the new classification system work effectively, he added.
With the LTL classification changes soon approaching, Cordero says the impact will vary depending on the carrier and shipper.
For shippers that Southeastern Freight Lines has spoken to, they recognize the opportunity the changes presents. If packaging improves and density of their shipments increase, they can qualify for lower class and potentially lower shipping costs, he said.
For carriers, this creates a win-win scenario.
“Since we sell space on a trailer, more efficient use of that space benefits everyone,” Cordero said.
