When you sign on with an inbound freight management partner, they often tell you they exclusively work with one carrier. At the time, you might think that’s no big deal, but we’re here to tell you otherwise. Multi-carrier shipping is the way to go, especially in the healthcare supply chain industry.
Working exclusively with one carrier, especially without full cost transparency, can often lead to overpaying for your managed shipments. Why does this happen? Your freight management team may secure discounted rates from the carrier but may not pass on those savings to you. Additionally, tying yourself to a single carrier typically means having fewer options for freight management and more pre-pay arrangements because suppliers often have their own carrier preferences.
When you can choose your carrier AND your rates, you can save big.
Multi-carrier shipping happens when your freight management team collaborates with all the major carriers (including FedEx, UPS, DHL, and more) to secure your best rates. By combining choice with transparency, they allow you to see exactly what you are paying for every shipment. Moreover, as suppliers compete with each other, you are more likely to enjoy reduced prices and improved service.
Having greater control leads to better patient outcomes.
Sometimes, the lowest cost is the top priority, while other times, expedited inbound shipments are crucial. When you have the flexibility to choose between carriers, you can make decisions that lead to the best patient outcomes. Additionally, working with multiple carriers reduces your vulnerability to issues such as labor strikes.
Multi-carrier shipping is part of our DNA.
We’ve always provided multi-carrier shipping as a fundamental aspect of our comprehensive inbound freight management services. Customers who chose to manage their inbound shipping independently found themselves well ahead in the game.
With VPL’s carrier-neutral healthcare freight program, you can:
- Ship FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL, and various couriers for the best rates and delivery times
- Audit every shipment against a carrier’s discounted rates to ensure every detail of your contract—basic rates, accessorial charges, fuel, dimensional charges, and earned volume discounts—is in alignment with your current contract.
- Monitor service levels (e.g., overnight, two-day, and three-day delivery) to ensure they are actually being achieved. And, if not, claim any credits that are due.
- Have complete ownership and control of your shipping data.
- Prevent fraud or other abuses of your account by seeking out credits for items not included in your shipment.
Not interested in managing your own freight?
Selecting VPL as your hospital freight management partner guarantees savings—of 20% or more compared to traditional freight management services.
Our flat fee ensures that as you ship more, everyone benefits, as our fee remains unaffected when helping you identify cost-effective shipping options. When it’s time to renew your carrier contracts, we can equip you with the insights you need to succeed at the negotiation table.
Don't commit to a freight management partner that is tied to just one carrier.
To learn how being carrier-agnostic can lead to significant savings and improved patient outcomes, schedule a demo with us today.
