When you need a shipment to arrive as quickly as possible, expedited shipping can make it happen—but it’s not as simple as snapping your fingers and watching a delivery truck arrive at its destination. Time-sensitive shipping requires a carefully coordinated process, a dependable network of transportation partners, and proactive tracking and communication every step of the way. For businesses across industries, company sizes, and product types, expedited shipping services ensure customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and business success.
Expedited shipping is a premium service designed to get shipments from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Unlike standard shipping—which operates on fixed schedules and routing—expedited shipping prioritizes speed and service by reducing transit times, limiting stops through employing direct routes, and increasing visibility in transit. In the transportation industry, expedited shipping services play a crucial role in meeting tight deadlines, reducing downtime, lowering freight claims, and delivering goods that are time-sensitive, time-specific, or high priority.
This service is especially vital for businesses that require critical materials, such as parts needed to maintain production lines or perishable goods that must arrive fresh. Expedited shipping services ensure these items are delivered with speed and reliability, enabling businesses to meet customer expectations and maintain operations.
While expedited shipping isn’t necessary for every shipment, there are several scenarios where it can make a big impact for your business. These include:
Expedited shipping is often more expensive than standard shipping options. Despite the higher cost, investing in expedited shipping services can be worthwhile for these reasons:
S-2 understands the importance of getting your shipment delivered quickly and carefully. But how does expedited shipping work in practice? Our expedited shipping process is built on a foundation of trust, reliability, and communication. Let’s walk through the steps.
S-2 partners exclusively with a select group of preferred carriers, ensuring every shipment is handled with care and precision. For example, our top 70 carriers manage half of all shipments, while the top 265 carriers handle 80%. Together, this elite and trusted network facilitates more than 20,000 secure shipments annually. Choosing a transportation management partner with credible carriers ensures your expedited freight is handled with the utmost care.
No request is too complex or challenging for S-2. We welcome the tough cases—whether it’s shipping to hard-to-reach areas, navigating difficult routes, or meeting exceptionally tight deadlines. Even if other companies have turned down your request, we’ll find a way to deliver. Our team is full of problem-solving logistics experts who are committed to your success.
S-2’s vast network covers the entire U.S. and Canada, providing comprehensive geographic coverage for expedited shipping services. No matter where you are or where your shipment needs to go in North America, we’ll find a reliable carrier ready to meet your requirements.
With a claim rate of less than 0.0003%, S-2 has earned a reputation for delivering specialized shipments damage-free. Whether your freight requires temperature control, fragile handling, or specific delivery conditions, we ensure the right carrier is equipped for the job.
S-2 utilizes MacroPoint to track our carriers, ensuring they meet expectations and deliver on time. MacroPoint is integrated with our transportation management system (TMS) to allow for regular updates throughout the life of your shipment, keeping you informed of its status and promptly addressing any unexpected delays. All tracking is backed by our team of Customer Service Specialists who proactively look for potential hiccups en route and intervene to mitigate potential delays.
With more than 98.7% of our shipments arriving on time, S-2 prioritizes punctuality and professionalism. Our service team understands how timely delivery impacts your business, from protecting your reputation to ensuring production uptime. You can count on us to provide an exceptional delivery experience.
Now that we’ve answered, “How does expedited shipping work?,” your next step is selecting the right partner for your needs. Expedited shipping can make all the difference for your business when time is of the essence. At S-2, we offer expedited shipping and comprehensive freight management services backed by unmatched service. Ready to explore how S-2 can help with your needs? Contact us today to request a quote and learn how we can support your business.