Shipping Smarter: How Partnering with S-2 Adds Value to Your Business

With shipping costs on the rise, it is more important than ever for shippers to assess their established processes, providers, and procedures to maximize profits and minimize risk. Reducing shipping costs is not always a straightforward process, as damage to cargo and delayed shipments will also damage the bottom line for shippers. 

Partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) like S-2 can help you increase profit margins and avoid compromising service quality. By utilizing our extensive experience and long-standing connections in the industry, as well as proven proprietary technologies, the S-2 team helps find the best rates and modes of transportation for each shipment without sacrificing quality of service.

In this new blog series, we’ll address some of the most common concerns businesses have when determining if using a 3PL is right for them. In this article, we'll provide examples of how partnering with a 3PL can lead to greater cost savings. We'll discuss how S-2 leverages its volume and market expertise to negotiate better rates with carriers, driving down costs for businesses. We'll also highlight other benefits gained from the services provided by S-2, such as improved efficiency, mode-shifting, reliability, and access to a wider network of carriers. 

S-2’s Market Expertise in Action

S-2’s decades of market experience and access to cutting-edge technologies lets you access the most competitive pricing available. By leveraging our extensive network of carriers and other 3PLs, S-2 can negotiate lower rates with carriers to benefit clients with smaller volumes who otherwise wouldn’t have access to this kind of pricing. 

#1. We Leverage Strategic Volume

By consolidating the shipping needs of multiple businesses, S-2 is able to offer you the benefit of lower shipping costs and improved service levels that you might not be able to negotiate individually. By examining real-life data and scenarios and comparing the total shipping costs incurred by businesses before and after partnering with a 3PL, it’s clear that leveraging the expertise and resources of S-2 can lead to cost efficiencies and improved bottom-line results. 

#2. We Negotiate with Carriers 

S-2's established industry relationships and extensive knowledge enable the negotiation of exceptional rates and terms with carriers, which provides further cost savings for shippers like you, even when taking into consideration the cost of the service itself. 

Recently, we had a client who initially hesitated to work with a 3PL because they were concerned about increased costs. After partnering with S-2, they realized the significant savings they experienced through negotiated carrier rates and optimized shipping processes, along with many other value-adding features and services.

#3. We Mitigate Risks 

S-2’s team prioritizes the safety and integrity of shipments by carefully assessing potential risks and selecting the most suitable transportation modes for each individual shipment. While prioritizing secure and timely deliveries may involve higher upfront costs at times, the benefit of this strategy is the reduced costs associated with damage-free cargo and on-time deliveries. Quality service with integrity translates to cost savings and quality for shippers like you. 

The Benefits of S-2’s Valuable Services

S-2's value-adding shipping solutions provide additional cost-saving benefits. S-2’s comprehensive shipping services—such as our efficiency-enhancing Transportation Optimization Platform (TOP)—offer access to leveraged volume rates allowing shippers of all sizes to benefit from highly competitive pricing. You'll also benefit from S-2’s multi-modal transportation solutions and dedication to solving unique challenges efficiently and thoroughly. 

Improved Efficiency and Reliability

S-2's specially-trained teams offer streamlined shipping processes that minimize delays and optimize resource management. S-2 makes sure shipments are handled cohesively from start to finish. Through proactive monitoring and management, S-2 mitigates risks and promptly resolves potential issues, enhancing overall operational efficiency and reliability.

Access a Wider Network 

Partnering with S-2 gives shippers access to a vast network of trusted carriers, both domestic and international. This extensive network enables you to choose from a variety of shipping options, select the most cost-effective routes, and optimize delivery times. With S-2's diverse carrier partnerships, your business can focus on expanding your reach to new markets, capitalizing on growth opportunities, and meeting the evolving needs of your customers.

Optimized Mode-Shifting 

In addition to mitigating risks and ensuring secure deliveries, S-2 utilizes proven mode-shifting strategies to further enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By carefully analyzing shipment characteristics and market conditions, S-2's experts identify opportunities to shift between various transportation modes. You can capitalize on these cost-saving opportunities while maintaining delivery timelines and service quality. Through proactive mode-shifting, S-2 helps shippers like you navigate complex logistics environments and achieve optimal outcomes for your supply chain operations.

Let’s Simplify Your Shipping

The concern that partnering with a 3PL like S-2 will drive up shipping costs, while common, is a misconception that overlooks the significant value-adding opportunities offered by these partnerships. By leveraging S-2's market expertise, negotiating power, and valuable specialized shipping services, your business can reduce its shipping expenses while improving efficiency and reliability. 

S-2 is a strategic partner that can help you achieve your shipping goals more effectively and affordably. With S-2's support, you can ship smarter, cut costs, and stay competitive in today's challenging logistics landscape.

In our next article, we discuss another common question we hear from business owners: “Will I lose control over my shipments if I partner with a 3PL?” In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out today to discover more about how S-2’s comprehensive shipping management services can improve your bottom line.