Ensuring the highest standards of service and efficiency in perishable goods logistics is more critical than ever in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing market. With increasing demands and strict regulations, staying ahead of industry trends and challenges requires a commitment to continuous improvement and education. One of the most effective ways to educate your Team is through offering the Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) Program provided by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA).

The Gold Standard

The CTB program is widely recognized as the gold standard in the logistics industry, particularly among third-party logistics providers (3PLs). This certification equips brokers with advanced skills and comprehensive knowledge, covering essential areas such as regulations, claims handling, and the complexities of the logistics landscape. By completing the CTB program, professionals gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in transporting perishable goods, resulting in minimized delays and prioritized transport for these sensitive shipments.

Program Structure and Higher Education Benefits

The CTB program encompasses 180 clock hours of coursework and culminates in a pass/fail exam. Its comprehensive curriculum can be utilized at both 2-year and 4-year higher education institutions, offering six undergraduate credits that can be put towards a future degree in supply chain management. This structured educational path not only enhances immediate professional capabilities but also contributes significantly to long-term career development in the logistics field.

Why Continuous Education Matters

The logistics industry is constantly evolving, with new regulations, technologies, and best practices emerging regularly. Continuous education ensures that logistics professionals remain well-informed and capable of adapting to these changes. The CTB program, with its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on current industry standards, provides an excellent framework for ongoing professional development.

One of the significant benefits of the CTB program is the opportunity it provides for building valuable industry connections. CTB members often find themselves better positioned to establish strong partnerships with carriers and other logistics providers. These connections are important for the smooth and efficient movement of perishable goods, as they facilitate collaboration and trust among key stakeholders.

Real-World Impact

Those who have completed the CTB program often report substantial improvements in their ability to manage complex logistics scenarios. For instance, Kerry Shonsky, Carrier Sales Manager at Sunrise Logistics with over 25 years of experience, shares that the CTB certification broadened her knowledge and enhanced her ability to navigate less than easy situations. “It helped me to see the big picture and learn more about the legal aspects of the business,” Kerry notes, highlighting the practical benefits of the program.

Investing in Success

Encouraging team members to pursue certifications like the CTB is an investment in the overall success of a logistics operation. Well-educated and continuously improving professionals are better equipped to provide exceptional service, handle the challenges of perishable goods transportation, and contribute to the growth and reputation of their companies.

In the dynamic field of perishables logistics, continuous improvement and education are invaluable. The TIA’s CTB program stands out as a premier certification that equips logistics professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel. By creating a culture of learning and development, logistics providers can ensure that they deliver the highest standards of service and efficiency, safeguarding the integrity of perishable goods from origin to destination.

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For more information on the CTB program and how it can benefit your logistics operations, visit the Transportation Intermediaries Association’s website. Investing in education and continuous improvement is a step towards achieving excellence in perishables logistics.

Article by Karly Wiest

We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the International Fresh Produce Association‘s (IFPA) Supply Chain Council ahead of the IFPA Washington Conference next week.

“We are honored to support the IFPA Supply Chain Council’s mission,” says Chad Ogden, Director of Transportation at Sunrise Logistics. “The Council tackles critical issues impacting the fresh supply chain, and we share their dedication to advancing best practices.”

The IFPA Supply Chain Council is part of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), which is a trade association that focuses on growing prosperity for all companies in the global fresh produce and floral supply chain. The council examines critical issues affecting the movement of products throughout the fresh supply chain, including data exchange, supply chain data standards, product identification standards, cold chain management, as well as transportation and logistics. This aligns perfectly with Sunrise Logistics’ commitment to delivering innovative solutions for the fresh supply chain.

Connect with us at the IFPA Washington Conference next week! We look forward to discussing innovative solutions for the fresh produce supply chain.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 14-16. International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative that takes place over three days in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Here’s What To Expect:

Potential Capacity Squeeze: We anticipate a slight tightening of carrier availability as some drivers take planned breaks. Our team will actively monitor the situation and has established strong relationships with reliable carriers to find the best options for your freight.

Routing Adjustments: Increased inspections could lead to slight delays, especially for longer hauls (around 500-600 miles). However, our team is constantly analyzing real-time data and will proactively adjust routes where necessary to minimize disruptions.

Spot Market Fluctuations: With potentially fewer carriers on the road, spot market rates might rise. We have extensive experience navigating market fluctuations and will secure the most cost-effective solutions for your specific needs.

Transparent Communication: We understand clear communication is key during disruptions.  Our team will keep you updated on any potential delays or changes to your shipment schedule.

With it occurring directly after Mother’s Day, any planned rate relief out of the southeast is unlikely. For more information, please contact us or visit https://www.cvsa.org/news/2024-international-roadcheck/

Article by Karly Wiest

How Technology Builds Trustworthy Carrier Networks for Perishable Freight

Imagine managing a network that ensures millions of dollars’ worth of fresh produce reaches its destination across the nation, consistently arriving in peak condition. At Sunrise, this is our core mission.

Our story began with a focus on quality, ensuring the perishables bought and sold by Four Seasons Produce reached their final destination looking (and tasting) their best.

Innovation and a pursuit of excellence fueled our growth, making us a leader in perishable freight logistics. But how do we consistently help others succeed in fresh? The answer lies in investing in the right technologies to continue building a foundation of trust within our carrier network.

Gone are the days of relying solely on price quotes and best guesses with limited carrier information.

Powerful carrier assessment technology offers a deeper dive than basic quotes, providing in-depth data on a carrier’s safety record, on-time delivery history, and their expertise in handling temperature-controlled freight. Provided with this data, our team can efficiently identify reliable partners who can guarantee the integrity of perishable freight before entrusting them with a high-value load.

At Sunrise, we utilize Carrier Assure, a cutting-edge software that utilizes performance scoring to predict a carrier’s handling of your freight.

Carrier Assure provides an easy-to-use platform with an intuitive dashboard displaying all critical information for informed decisions.

Here’s what sets Carrier Assure apart:

• Advanced Data Science: It analyzes hundreds of thousands of data points directly from the FMCSA.
• Objective Carrier Scores: Scores are based on market statistics, peer group comparisons, and millions of data points.

The Result? An objective carrier score that empowers us to:

• Maximize Efficiency: Match the right carrier to the right load.
• Optimize Cost-Effectiveness: Get the best value for your specific needs.

Carrier Assure empowers us to match the right carrier to the right load, maximizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Top-performing carriers identified by the software are ideal for critical or high-value shipments of perishables. These carriers consistently demonstrate a commitment to safety, on-time delivery, and expertise in temperature-controlled logistics. However, Carrier Assure also recognizes opportunities for optimization. Lower-scoring carriers can be suitable for shorter, less valuable hauls. In these cases, our team leverages their expertise to conduct additional vetting procedures, ensuring all shipments, regardless of value, are handled with the utmost care.

With Carrier Assure integrated into our carrier selection process, our team is equipped to secure the best possible carriers resulting in 3 key benefits:

• Reliable Transportation: Minimizes risk of delays and disruptions, ensuring your perishables arrive on time and in top condition.
• Minimized Fraud Risks: In-depth data analysis helps us identify and avoid carriers with a history of fraudulent activity.
• Guaranteed Freshness: Selecting carriers with expertise in temperature-controlled logistics safeguards the integrity and freshness of high-value perishable freight.

The Human Touch

Data is powerful, but it’s not the whole story. Our experienced team understands that a successful partnership relies on more than just numbers. Negotiation skills and clear communication are still top of mind during the selection process. Our procurement team considers factors like a carrier’s responsiveness and communication style to ensure a smooth, collaborative experience throughout the transportation process.

We understand that our customers rely on the timely and safe delivery of their perishable freight. At Sunrise, our commitment goes beyond just being a logistics provider. As a family-owned business with a strong focus on values, we continue to invest in our people and technology to best serve our customers in the ever-evolving world of logistics.

Article by Karly Wiest

Securing a trustworthy carrier base to transport your product can be a challenging task. Establishing a carrier vetting process is a key strategy in addressing this challenge — not only to protect your freight, but to preserve your product and brand reputation. By setting up a carrier vetting process, you can continue to best serve your customers by assessing your carriers and safeguarding your freight.

1. Start By Establishing Clear Criteria

Positive Reputation: Look for carriers with a positive reputation, especially for refrigerated freight. Carriers with years of experience and positive reviews are more likely to have the expertise and resources to reliably handle your freight.

Equipment and Technology: Ensure that the carriers have well-maintained vehicles with up-to-date equipment, working reefer units, and temperature monitoring systems (for refrigerated product).

Compliance and Certifications: We recommend that you verify that your carriers comply with industry regulations [such as FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)] and hold relevant certifications. Certifications like SQF (Safe Quality Food) or HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) indicate a higher-level commitment to food and safety standards.

Insurance Coverage: This is a must. Confirm that the carriers have adequate insurance coverage, including cargo insurance specifically covered for perishable goods. This is an important financial protection need in case of any accidents during transportation.

2. Conduct Due Diligence

Research and Background Checks: Utilize online resources, industry databases, and referrals to gather information about carriers. Look for any red flags such as past safety violations or negative customer feedback.

Meetings and Carrier Visits: Schedule meetings with carriers to discuss their services, processes, and capabilities. If possible, visit them at their facility to see their equipment firsthand. There is tremendous value in spending time together in person to build a trustworthy partnership.

Request References: Don’t hesitate to ask for references from past or current customers. Speaking directly with other shippers can provide valuable insights into the carrier’s reliability and performance.

Review Contracts and Agreements: Carefully review contracts to ensure that all terms and conditions align with your expectations and requirements. Pay close attention to clauses related to liability, insurance, and service level agreements.

3. Monitor and Evaluate

After you have successfully on-boarded a carrier that meets your established criteria and passes your due diligence checkpoints, you will need to continuously monitor and evaluate their performance. Here’s how:

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery rates, temperature compliance, and customer satisfaction scores to monitor and improve your carrier network’s performance.

Maintain open lines of communication and performance feedback. Address any issues or concerns promptly to prevent recurrence and maintain a collaborative partnership that creates growth potential.

Conduct consistent audits and inspections to ensure that carriers are following agreed-upon standards and protocols (including OTD scores, temperature checks, vehicle inspections, and other process audits).

Be flexible and willing to adapt your carrier selection criteria based on evolving business needs and industry developments. Embrace forward thinking and be open to exploring new ways that 3PL partnerships can enhance your refrigerated logistics operations.

Now that you have a better understanding of what carrier vetting entails, you can refer to these steps – establishing clear criteria, conducting due diligence, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation– and you will be on your way to building a strong carrier base with an effective carrier vetting process. Next up in Vol.3, we will share how technology assessment tools can become a part of your vetting process, featuring Carrier Assure.

Article by Karly Wiest