Propack Blog http://www.propack.com/blog Your Supply Chain Partner Wed, 02 May 2012 04:15:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 New Warehouse Expansions for ProPack http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/05/01/new-warehouse-expansions-for-propack/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/05/01/new-warehouse-expansions-for-propack/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 04:15:10 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/05/01/new-warehouse-expansions-for-propack/ Things have been very busy at ProPack over the past year. The exposure from the website we launched has been bringing on business almost faster than we can keep up. Our exiting clients are also doing well and expanding their businesses together with ProPack. Four months ago our Blaine, WA facility was busting at the seams allowing very little room for additional product storage. We needed to expand.

So ProPack is excited to announce two new warehouses going live in 2012.

The first is nine miles south of our current location at the Grandview Business Park in Ferndale, WA. This building is 45,000 square feet complete with offices and a number of loading docks. We started staffing the building in February and it is now fully setup as a mirror of our current operation in Blaine. The Grandview warehouse represents a great location for our larger and growing clients who still want to be in the Washington area.

Our second warehouse is scheduled to go live on June 11th of this year in Ogden, UT. Utah represents a great geographical location for distribution. FedEx and UPS ground packages can be delivered from Utah in two business days to anywhere on the west coast. ProPack will be setting up in a 45,000 square foot warehouse in the Ogden Business Depot and we’re excited to make the geographic advantages of this new location available to our clients.

ProPack and our clients are expanding. It is exciting to see what the future will hold.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/05/01/new-warehouse-expansions-for-propack/feed/ 0 2012 Carrier Rate Increases http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/01/25/2012-carrier-rate-increases/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/01/25/2012-carrier-rate-increases/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:01:54 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=344 It’s the new year and as always that means carrier rate increases. At ProPack we process the majority of our small package shipments through FedEx. However, luckily for everyone FedEx and UPS always (and suspiciously) raise their rates by exactly the same amount each year. So below are FedEx’s posted rate increases for 2012 for reference and review.

FedEx Express Standard List Rates

Effective Jan. 2, 2012

  • FedEx Express package and freight rates increased an average of 5.9% for U.S., U.S. export and U.S. import services. The rate increase was partially offset by adjusting the fuel price at which the fuel surcharge begins, reducing the fuel surcharge by 2 percentage points.
  • FedEx Express U.S. rates to Puerto Rico changed.
  • FedEx International Premium® rates changed.
  • View 2012 FedEx Express rates.
  • Minimum rates for FedEx Express® services changed.

FedEx Ground Rates

Effective Jan. 2, 2012

  • FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery® rates increased an average of 5.9%. The rate increase was partially offset by adjusting the fuel price at which the fuel surcharge begins, reducing the fuel surcharge by 1 percentage point.

FedEx SmartPost® Rates

Effective Jan. 2, 2012

  • FedEx SmartPost rates increased.*

Effective Jan. 2, 2012

The following surcharge changes took effect Jan. 2, 2012, unless otherwise noted, for FedEx Express® and FedEx Ground® services.

Additional Handling Surcharge
For FedEx Express package services and FedEx Ground services, the Additional Handling Surcharge increased from $8 to $8.50. For U.S. services, the surcharge applies per package. For international services, the surcharge applies per shipment.

Advancement Fee
For FedEx Express U.S. import package and freight shipments, the Advancement Fee increased from the greater of 2% of the total duties and taxes advanced or $6 per shipment to the greater of 2% of the total duties and taxes advanced or $6.50 per shipment.

Dangerous Goods

  • For FedEx Express U.S. package shipments containing accessible dangerous goods, the surcharge increased from $70 to $75 per package. For shipments containing inaccessible dangerous goods, the surcharge increased from $35 to $37.50 per package.
  • For FedEx Express U.S. freight shipments containing accessible dangerous goods, the surcharge increased from the greater of $76 per shipment or $0.60 per lb. to the greater of $81 per shipment or $0.64 per lb. For shipments containing inaccessible dangerous goods, the surcharge increased from the greater of $35.50 per shipment or $0.24 per lb. to the greater of $38 per shipment or $0.25
    per lb.
  • For FedEx Express international package shipments and international freight shipments containing accessible dangerous goods, the surcharge increased from the greater of $110 per shipment or $0.60 per lb. to the greater of $119 per shipment or $0.65 per lb. For shipments containing inaccessible dangerous goods, the surcharge increased from the greater of $55 per shipment or $0.30 per lb. to the greater of $58.50 per shipment or $0.32 per lb.
  • Effective Jan. 23, 2012, for FedEx Express U.S. import-rated package shipments, a surcharge of $5 per shipment will apply for any shipment that contains dry ice. If a shipment contains both dry ice and dangerous goods (accessible or inaccessible), only the respective dangerous goods charge is assessed; the dry ice surcharge is not assessed.

Declared Value
Declared-value charges for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services increased from $0.75 to $0.80 per $100 of value. For U.S. package services, the charges apply to shipments valued in excess of $100, and the minimum charge increased from $2.25 to $2.40. For FedEx Express U.S. freight services, the charge applies to the value in excess of $100 or $1 per lb., whichever is greater. For international services, the charge applies to the value in excess of $100 or $9.07 per lb., whichever is greater.

Delivery Area Surcharge
For applicable FedEx Express U.S. package services and FedEx Ground services, a delivery area surcharge applies to shipments destined to select ZIP codes.

  • The surcharge for commercial and extended commercial shipments increased from $1.85 per package to $2 per package.
  • For FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services, the surcharge for residential shipments increased from $2.75 per package to $3 per package. The surcharge remains at $2.75 for FedEx Home Delivery® shipments.
  • The surcharge for extended residential shipments increased from $3 per package to $3.25 per package.
  • For shipments receiving FedEx Express Multiweight® or FedEx Ground Multiweight® pricing, the fee is assessed per package, and the maximum Delivery Area Surcharge increased from $9.25 to $10 per shipment for both commercial and residential shipments.

Delivery Reattempt
For FedEx Express U.S. freight services, shipper- or recipient-arranged delivery reattempts are subject to delivery reattempt charges. The charge increased from the greater of $45 per shipment or $0.0481 per lb. to the greater of $48 per shipment or $0.0513 per lb.

Disbursement Fee
For FedEx Ground shipments, the Disbursement Fee increased from the greater of 2% of the total duties and taxes advanced or $6 per shipment to the greater of 2% of the total duties and taxes advanced or $6.50 per shipment.

Extra Service Charge
For FedEx Express U.S. freight services and FedEx International Premium® service, an extra service charge applies when the shipper or recipient requests a special handling service beyond the standard freight pickup and delivery features. The charge increased from the greater of $62 per shipment or $62 per handler hour to the greater of $66 per shipment or $66 per handler hour.

FedEx® Collect on Delivery (C.O.D.)

  • For applicable FedEx Express U.S. package services, the charge for FedEx C.O.D. increased from $10 per package to $11 per package. For shipments receiving FedEx Express Multiweight pricing, the maximum charge increased from $70 to $77.
  • For applicable FedEx Express U.S. freight services, the charge for FedEx C.O.D. increased from $55 per shipment to $60 per shipment.

FedEx® Delivery Signature Options
Some charges for FedEx Delivery Signature Options increased:

  • For FedEx Express U.S. package services and FedEx Ground services, the charge for Direct Signature Required increased from $3.25 per package to $3.50 per package.
  • For FedEx Express U.S. package services and FedEx Ground services, the charge for Adult Signature Required increased from $4.25 per package to $4.50 per package.
  • For shipments receiving FedEx Express Multiweight or FedEx Ground Multiweight pricing, the maximum charge increased from $22.75 per shipment to $24.50 per shipment for Direct Signature Required, and from $29.75 per shipment to $31.50 per shipment for Adult Signature Required.

FedEx Ground® C.O.D.
For FedEx Ground and FedEx International Ground® shipments, a charge applies when you direct us to collect payment from your recipient:

  • If you select regular or guaranteed funds C.O.D., the charge increased from $10 per package to $11 per package.
  • If you select currency C.O.D., the charge increased from $10 per package to $11 per package plus an additional charge based on your shipment’s destination. For currency C.O.D. deliveries in the U.S., the additional charge increased from $20 per package to $22 per package for currency collection up to $500, plus an additional 4% of the currency C.O.D. amount that is in excess of $500. For currency C.O.D. deliveries in Canada, the additional charge increased from $20 per package to $22 per package. The minimum charge for currency C.O.D. increased from $30 per package to $33 per package for all destinations.
  • For shipments receiving FedEx Ground Multiweight pricing, the maximum C.O.D. charge increased from $70 per shipment to $77 per shipment for regular or guaranteed funds C.O.D. For currency C.O.D. deliveries in the U.S., the maximum charge increased from $210 per shipment to $231 per shipment, plus an additional 4% of the C.O.D. amount per package that is in excess of $500. For currency C.O.D. deliveries in Canada, the maximum charge increased from $210 per shipment to $231 per shipment.

FedEx Ground® Electronic C.O.D. (E.C.O.D.)
For FedEx Ground and FedEx International Ground shipments, a charge applies when you direct us to collect payment from your recipient and deposit it directly into your bank account, plus there is an additional weekly service charge:

  • The charge increased from $10 per package to $11 per package.
  • For shipments receiving FedEx Ground Multiweight pricing, the maximum charge increased from $70 per shipment to $77 per shipment.
  • The weekly service charges remains at $10 for deposit in 48 hours and $35 for deposit in 24 hours.

Hazardous Materials
For FedEx Ground U.S. services, the surcharge for packages containing hazardous materials increased from $25 per package to $27.50 per package.

International Out-of-Delivery-Area Surcharge
For FedEx Express U.S. export package and freight shipments, the International Out-of-Delivery-Area Surcharge increased from the greater of $24 per shipment or $0.24 per lb. to the greater of $26 per shipment or $0.26 per lb.

International Out-of-Pickup-Area Surcharge
For FedEx Express U.S. import package and freight shipments, the International Out-of-Pickup-Area Surcharge increased from the greater of $24 per shipment or $0.24 per lb. to the greater of $26 per shipment or $0.26 per lb.

Oversize Charge
For FedEx Express U.S. package services and FedEx Ground services, the charge for oversize packages increased from $50 per package to $55 per package.

Residential Delivery Charge
For FedEx Express package and freight services and FedEx Ground services, a residential delivery charge applies to shipments to a home or private residence.

  • For FedEx Express U.S. package services, FedEx Ground service and FedEx International Ground service to Canada, the charge increased from $2.75 per package to $3 per package. For FedEx Home Delivery, the charge increased from $2.45 per package to $2.55 per package. For shipments receiving FedEx Express Multiweight or FedEx Ground Multiweight pricing, the maximum charge increased from $24 per shipment to $26 per shipment.
  • For FedEx Express international package services to Canada and U.S. import-rated shipments from all origins, the charge increased from $2.75 per shipment to $3 per shipment.
]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/01/25/2012-carrier-rate-increases/feed/ 0 New Dynamic Client Menu Bar http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/01/09/dynamic-client-menu-bar/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/01/09/dynamic-client-menu-bar/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:23:20 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=339 ProPack is in an ever ongoing quest to improve the client experience in our online system, known as P3PL (ProPack 3rd Party Logistics). The first change we’ve done this year is to add a menu bar to our client interface. This menu bar takes  the place of the static buttons that existed at the top of the screen, allows clients to more quickly access their different pages and provides a much more scalable environment for future system expansion.

The old button environment dates back to P3PL’s inception in 2004 and has been an admitted week point in our client interface over the years. Buttons for specific client groups would need to be shown or hidden based on which group was logged in and adding new pages meant having to physically configure new buttons with appropriate logic.

The new dynamic menu bar allow us to show each client group exactly what they need to see whether they are a fulfillment, freight, cross dock or storage client. It also allows for the quick addition of new pages to the client system specific to the appropriate client group.

There are going to be many enhancements to our client interface over the next six months. Our goal is that our clients will fine their portal into our system a highly valuable part of their business function that helps them save costs and add value to their supply chain.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2012/01/09/dynamic-client-menu-bar/feed/ 0 New Online Order Batch Entry Tool http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/09/19/new-online-order-batch-entry-tool/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/09/19/new-online-order-batch-entry-tool/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:18:59 +0000 shawnbuck http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=327 At ProPack there are several different methods for submitting orders into our online order management system. Clients can enter them manually online, with our QuickBooks interface, using Web Services, or by emailing them to our OrderBot in an Excel spreadsheet.

ProPack is now excited to announce that we have added another method to make submitting orders even more fast and easy. Clients can now use Batch Entry to import their orders into P3PL from an Excel spreadsheet online in real time from a file saved on their computer. Along with the new Batch Entry Tool we have also added a few new order options, like Payment Type.

  • When selecting Payment Type clients can leave the field blank for prepaid, enter Collect, or 3rd Party.
  • Clients can now enter a Unit Price as well. Entering a unit price will override the existing unit price that we have recorded in P3PL for the specific item and for the specific order. The unit price is the value that is used when creating a commercial invoice when shipping internationally.
  • One other addition to the new orders import template is the Signature Required field. Entering Yes in this field will automatically add Signature Required Service when we are processing your order for shipping.

Also on the new Batch Entry page are links to the new order import Excel template and a list of all country, state, province, and territory codes.

Watch a short YouTube video below demonstrating how the new online Batch Entry Tool works. Access the Batch Entry Tool by logging onto P3PL, click on the Orders button, and click on the Batch Entry button.

We hope that you find the new Batch Entry order importing method a valuable addition to P3PL that improves the speed and ease in your order submission process.

For more information about ProPack services please go to www.ProPack.com.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/09/19/new-online-order-batch-entry-tool/feed/ 0 Benefits of Diverse Service Offerings http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/08/29/benefits-of-diverse-service-offerings/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/08/29/benefits-of-diverse-service-offerings/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:30:01 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=321 ProPack does not just handle Order Fulfillment, Freight Forwarding, Warehousing and Cross Border Forwarding , these business functions are combined together to create a diverse service offering for the benefit of our clients. The synergy created between these functions allow clients to add value and reduces cost to their supply chains.

Order Fulfillment clients wishing to ship an LTL shipment can take advantage of the Freight department’s competitive rates. Freight Forwarding clients looking to continuously forward packages from US customers to their Canadian location can  utilize the Cross Border Forwarding system. Warehouse storage clients looking to distribute their product can input their inventory and start sending orders to our Order Fulfillment department.

ProPack’s different business units combine to form a diverse supply chain solution. To find out more please visit our website at www.propack.com.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/08/29/benefits-of-diverse-service-offerings/feed/ 0 Southbound Forwarding Program Expansion http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/08/22/southbound-forwarding-program-expansion/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/08/22/southbound-forwarding-program-expansion/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:09:21 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=313 ProPack’s southbound forwarding program allows Canadian companies access to domestic US shipping rates from within Canada. Packages that would have otherwise been shipped internationally from Canada to the US instead are shipped from within the US at a fraction of the cost. ProPack has had this program successfully in place for several years with clients in southwestern British Columbia saving significantly on their US shipping costs.

Traditionally with the southbound forwarding program Canadian companies have forwarded their packages to ProPack’s Blaine, WA location along with a list of ship-to addresses. Each shipment is received, matched up with its paperwork and processed individually in Blaine.

ProPack is now pilot testing a new version of the program where Canadian companies log into ProPack’s online manifest system and process their packages from within Canadian. These processed packages are then couriered down to ProPack where they are simply transferred to their respective FedEx, UPS or US Mail trucks.

This new approach cuts out the sorting, paperwork matching and processes at ProPack’s end. Streamlining the process greatly speeds up turnaround time and allows for almost all packages processed within Canada to ship domestically from ProPack on the same day. Also by processes shipments themselves ProPack’s Canadian clients have instant access to all their shipment, tracking and charge information before their shipments leave their facilities.

A summary of benefits to ProPack’s southbound forwarding program are:

  • Lower Shipping Costs; Domestic US Rates for FedEx, UPS and US Mail
  • Same Day Service
  • Extended Cutoff Times
  • Wide Range of Shipping Services
  • Work with Local Companies
  • Online Visibility to Tracking Numbers and Shipping Charges
  • Returns Program Available

To find out more please visit our website at: http://www.propack.com/warehouse-services/southbound-forwarding.aspx

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/08/22/southbound-forwarding-program-expansion/feed/ 0 New Data Integration Partnership http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/07/05/new-data-integration-partnership/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/07/05/new-data-integration-partnership/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:30:40 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=306 For the past five years ProPack has employed Microsoft Web Services to allow our clients to submit orders, check inventory and retrieve shipment info through a direct web-to-web connection. We’ve had a number of clients take advantage of this service and be very happy with the result. However, there is still development work that must be done at the client end that sometimes creates implementation barriers due to cost, time and access to development talent.

Recently ProPack has partnered with a company called Virtual Logistics out of Toronto. Virtual Logistics specializes in integrations between shopping carts and ERP systems and has successfully integrated their platform with ProPack’s web services. Now any company who integrates with Virtual Logistics will automatically have full access to orders, inventory and shipments within P3PL (ProPack’s online customer interface). Virtual Logistics is connected to a number of shopping cart services such as Amazon, EBay, Volusion, Infusionsoft, Secured.com, Paypal, 3dcart and Magento, and can setup a new connection to any company not currently on their list.

ProPack has already gotten one client setup and successfully submitting orders through this system. The client in question has been trying for the last four years to find an automated solution between their shopping cart and P3PL and is very happy with the new service. ProPack also has a second client who is all setup, tested and ready to begin anytime now.

The benefit to a current or new client in using Virtual Logistics and ProPack’s web services is that orders will directly flow from client’s site into P3PL. As well inventory values and shipping information can flow back to to the site from P3PL. Virtual Logistics will act as a middle-ware component between the client and P3PL. This streamlining of information flow will add value through quicker information turnaround and reduce costs in time spent importing orders through conventional means.

Virtual Logistics charges a setup fee as well as a monthly service fee. They can setup a new account independent of ProPack and assist in any customizations that are needed. Please feel free to check out their website at www.virtuallogistics.ca, blog at http://blog.virtuallogistics.ca, or email Robin Smith at rhsmith@virtlogic.ca.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/07/05/new-data-integration-partnership/feed/ 1 Good Article on the Growth of Fulfillment Warehouses Nationwide http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/06/27/good-article-on-the-growth-of-fulfillment-warehouses-nationwide/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/06/27/good-article-on-the-growth-of-fulfillment-warehouses-nationwide/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:45:45 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=302 Fulfillment warehousing services are on the rise. Entrepreneurs with growing business started in their garages are finding that it saves them money to outsource their warehousing and shipping to a 3rd party fulfillment company. The below article from the Wall Street Journal discusses the benefits to small companies of taking advantage of fulfillment warehouses.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304887904576400031917667812.html?mod=wsj_share_twitter

ProPack has been doing order fulfillment for 20 years and is a proud member of this exciting and growing industry.

To find out more about ProPack’s fulfillment operations please visit us at www.propack.com.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/06/27/good-article-on-the-growth-of-fulfillment-warehouses-nationwide/feed/ 0 Saving on Handling Costs with Batch Shipping http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/06/06/saving-on-handling-costs-with-batch-shipping/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/06/06/saving-on-handling-costs-with-batch-shipping/#comments Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:51:08 +0000 philsny http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=292 The standard model for order fulfillment at a third party logistics warehouse is to receive, pick, pack and ship orders individually. The client transmits an order to the fulfillment warehouse, which in turn ships out the order and bills accordingly. Each order is treated as a separate unit of work, and efficient process flows are followed to ensure that competitive rates can be offered. This method is used for clients with many different SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) and those whose orders are rarely identical.

However, for clients shipping identical items hundreds of times per day, batch shipping can be invoked to speed up the process and thus save the client money. The advantage with batch shipping is that the order process is streamlined: items are packaged in bulk, focusing on just the packaging process. Shipping labels are printed out in the hundreds or thousands all at once. Then the packages are labeled and shipped out. This is all done in two or three areas of the warehouse specifically designed for the batching process. This efficiency leads to vast improvements in the average time taken to get an order out the door.

Batch shipping does not work for all client/inventory scenarios, but where one or several SKUs are used on several hundred shipments per day, batching can lead to significant savings for the client.

At ProPack, we’ve developed our own batch shipment technology to better serve our clients. Our batches can be highly flexible, with different SKUs, shipping service levels and charges. Through batching we can improve our processing several times over and offer better rates to those clients using the service. Our custom technology for batch shipping allows us to reduce costs and add value for our clients.

Learn more on our website at www.propack.com.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/06/06/saving-on-handling-costs-with-batch-shipping/feed/ 0 Save Money on Northbound Canadian Shipments http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/05/23/save-money-on-northbound-canadian-shipments/ http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/05/23/save-money-on-northbound-canadian-shipments/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 21:09:15 +0000 alexmsnyder http://www.propack.com/blog/?p=274 If you’re a Canadian company bringing multiple small shipments from the US into Canada, chances are you could save on your shipping costs by using a cross dock service just south of the border in Blaine, WA. This type of service can go by the name of package forwarding, US package receiving or inbound prepaid freight. Regardless of what it’s called, there are tremendous savings if you partner with the right company on the US side of the border. To be truly effective and problem-free, you need a company that:

  • Bar codes and tracks every shipment
  • Provides online visibility to all shipments and their status
  • Provides you or your broker all necessary paperwork the same day the shipment arrives
  • Offers courier delivery to anywhere in the lower mainland, Vancouver Island and beyond
  • Can handle consolidated shipments, low value shipments (LVS) or shipments with values over $1600

Please have a quick look at this video that shows how ProPack in Blaine, WA is an excellent choice for handling your Northbound Package Forwarding. You can also learn more at www.propack.com/warehouse-services/northbound-forwarding.aspx.

]]> http://www.propack.com/blog/2011/05/23/save-money-on-northbound-canadian-shipments/feed/ 0