As companies navigate new import duties and shifting trade policies, many oversized or irregular freight shipments have turned to flatbed shipping to avoid container delays and maximize flexibility. Pair that with a sustained uptick in demand for construction materials, heavy machinery, and project-based equipment, and you’ve got a marketplace that leans heavily on open‑deck solutions. It’s crucial to work with a partner who not only understands the challenges of flatbed shipping but also intimately knows best practices for tariff‑savvy routing, load planning, and customs compliance.
Challenges of Flatbed Shipping
Flatbed specialized transportation presents some unique challenges. This type of shipping is highly affected by weather and changing conditions of the roads, which can create obstacles such as load shifting, tie‑down failures, or unexpected route closures during severe storms.
Added to this are the logistical challenges of securing qualified drivers who hold the proper endorsements, scheduling shipments around tight delivery windows, and keeping up with a fluctuating market that can swing dramatically when tariffs or trade agreements change. What works during one portion of the year (or under one set of tariff rules) may not work in the next, leaving businesses vulnerable to delays, cost overruns, or compliance issues. Due to the challenges, it’s imperative to understand flatbed shipping best practices.
Four Best Practices for Flatbed Shipping
Responding to these challenges demands agility and commitment. Here are some specific ways companies can respond to the challenges of flatbed shipping:
1. Understand the Demands of the Market
Conventional wisdom has emphasized predictable patterns in the open deck marketplace. But in recent years, these patterns have been destabilized by industry events, regulations, and changes in consumer spending.
The end result is a market that is inconsistent and largely unpredictable. That may sound like bad news, but it can actually help your company stay prepared to adapt to a changing landscape. Those who provide flatbed specialized transportation must especially work to maintain efficient capacity networks, reduce their total mileage, and procure reliable personnel and drivers.
If you’re a business owner, your best bet is to partner with a provider who has the industry experience to understand these changes and can adapt accordingly. Doing so will ensure your business remains flexible and flourishing regardless of external circumstances.
2. Examine Your Procurement Policies
Many businesses find that their business goals evolve over time. If so, regular procurement bids can help providers regulate the number of their shipments and the quality of their service.
As we noted above, the market tends to shift and change in ways that are not always predictable. Annual procurement bids are a great way to remain flexible and avoid getting locked into problematic situations for an extended period. Quarterly reviews of your procurement exercises may help keep up with the shifts that occur between seasons—this is especially true for businesses that rely on seasonal freight.
You may also want to check with shipping providers who offer seasonal discounts or offer a larger capacity during the spring or summer months. Getting a deal may require you to plan ahead, but doing so can maximize your company’s ability to adapt to today’s changing landscape.
3. Analyze Your Tools and Tech
Knowledge is power. Your company wants the tools and technology to monitor every step of the flatbed shipping process.
Today’s supply chain technology can give your business an edge by providing to-the-minute data on your shipments. For business owners, this freight visibility is essential in understanding your supply chain and helping you manage your inventory and adapt to supply and demand fluctuations.
Consider using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Ideally, a 3PL has the technology to devise supply-chain strategies and route guidance that can help you optimize your supply chain process. R2 Logistics offers a Transporation Management System that increases visibility and control over your shipments, keeping your business adaptable and thriving.
4. Be Prepared with the Right Partners
You have better things to do than sweat over the details of your flatbed shipping processes. That’s why it’s essential to form the right partnerships to enhance your business’s strategy and efficiency. R2 Logistics is here for you, offering supply chain solutions that help your business flourish. When you’re ready to take the next step, contact us, and we’ll provide the tools to help your business succeed.
R2 Logistics prides itself on combining deep industry expertise with cutting‑edge technology. When you partner with us, you tap into a team that continuously monitors market trends, adapts bids around changing duties, and optimizes load plans to reduce cost and risk. Ready to streamline your flatbed shipping?
Contact R2 Logistics today, and let us provide the tools and expertise to help your business succeed.