VentureSource Lead Logistics

Recently, members of the VentureSource team in Zeeland, Michigan volunteered to hang drywall at a Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity house. Working together, they were able to finish 2 bedrooms and a large closest in just a few hours. A big thank you to Andy Levesque, Judy Van Dussen, Caleb Digison, Gregory Finses, Scott Wright, and Kyle Carey for taking time out of their busy schedules to help make our community a better place!

We would like to give a big shoutout to today's HS Classification training sponsor, VentureSource Lead Logistics! VentureSource Lead Logistics?helps businesses enhance their supply chains by ensuring greater competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency. Their digital auction process guarantees that third-party logistics providers (3PLs) compete, delivering the best pricing for your needs. Their network of vetted, proven 3PLs ensures that every logistics move meets or exceeds expectations. At the same time, VentureSource's services alleviate the workload for busy logistics teams, enabling companies to save time and better allocate internal resources. Check out the link below to learn how they keep Michigan's supply chain moving! ?? https://lnkd.in/ghaJTbrM #logistics #supplychain #thankyou

Are you part of a global business in need of strategies to reduce costs on international trade? Join us tomorrow, September 26th for an in-person training on The Fundamentals of Harmonized System Classification in Grand Rapids, Michigan! ?? With over 98% of the merchandise in international trade being classified within the Harmonized System in countries across the globe, it is crucial for businesses participating in international trade to understand how the HS works and how it can help your business! ?? Seats are available for this fantastic training hosted by Grand Valley State University's Van Andel Global Trade Center and taught by industry professional and licensed customs broker, Mark Bleckley! ???? And if the highlights above aren't enough to have you running to the registration page, I'll be there too, to greet you as you walk through the door! ?? Register here ?? https://lnkd.in/gKD6VMbr #globaltrade #import #export #michiganbusiness #seidmanexperience #gvsu #hsclassification

With a potential dock strike looming on October 1, the United States Maritime Exchange (#USMX) urged the International Longshoremen’s Association (#ILA) to resume contract talks before the current agreement expires on September 30. The ILA, representing 45,000 workers, seeks a 77% wage increase and has criticized employers for prioritizing profits. Container royalties remain a key issue. Both sides face pressure to avoid a costly strike, but progress in negotiations remains uncertain. VentureSource Lead Logistics may not have a crystal ball, but we can help you prepare and navigate these uncertainties. #oceanfreight #4PL #digitalauctionhouse #3PL #shipping #teu https://lnkd.in/ehuw4cfY

Did You Know? ?? The Harmonized System (HS) Classification Schedule is used by over 200 countries, covering 98% of global trade! ?? Knowing how to classify your products accurately can help avoid costly mistakes, prevent delays at customs, and even reduce your tariffs. Join us at our upcoming training to master the Fundamentals of Harmonized System Classification and ensure your business stays compliant while maximizing profits in international trade. ?? Sign up today! https://lnkd.in/g3eETVst Thank you to our training sponsor VentureSource Lead Logistics! #hsclassification #hts #harmonizedsystem #import #export

As you may be aware, we are facing a potential strike at the ports between Houston and Boston. The master contract between the International Longshoremen's Association (#ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (#USMX) is set to expire on September 30th. With negotiations becoming increasingly contentious—particularly over automation and wage increases—the risk of a strike at major East and Gulf Coast ports is growing. This strike could significantly impact supply chain operations for our cargo (both internal and external) being imported and exported within the US. To plan for upcoming delays, we’ve seen large companies (Home Depot, Target, Dollar General) begin to re-route freight to alternative ports, such as Montreal/Toronto and the US West Coast. The ILA and USMX are set to meet on September 4th and 5th to work towards a resolution, however, we do not know what the result of those meetings will be. The Retail Industry Leaders Association, whose members include the large corporations mentioned above, are planning to call on the White House to get involved if necessary. There would be significant supply chain disruptions during peak e-commerce and holiday buying season, should the strike commence. #Maersk, the 2nd largest ocean carrier globally, has stated that for every 1 week of striking that takes place, there will be major effects felt at every major US port for 5-6 weeks after. https://lnkd.in/eJM3yxhc #leadlogsitics #digitalauction #4PL #oceanshipping

If you ship full containers by ocean, do you have a KPI for container utilization? At VentureSource, we’ve been watching container utilization closely for 10+ years. Here’s our actual 10-year data. A close inspection will reveal many datapoints over 100%. Our formula allows us to achieve >100% utilization when we combine heavy and light product in the same container, which means we ship a lower number of containers over the time horizon than we would if each container was only “weighed” or “cubed” out with one product. VentureSource Lead Logistics has been instrumental in finding other companies for us to consolidate with when our internal consolidation options run dry.? Without a KPI, it’s easy to let this get away from you. Shipping air is wasting money!

It is important to make every inch and every pound count when it comes to shipping. That’s why we design and advise the perfect fit for your cargo, maximizing both the cubic space and weight capacity of your containers. Using our advanced load planning software, we create detailed, step-by-step instructions for loading teams. This ensures that every container is packed to perfection, utilizing valuable space efficiently and getting the most out of every dollar spent. By optimizing your load planning with VentureSource Lead Logistics, you can: ? Maximize Container Space: Ensure no space goes to waste, fitting more into each shipment. ? Increase Efficiency: Streamline the loading process with precise instructions. ? Reduce Costs: Get the most value out of your shipping budget by avoiding unnecessary shipments. We'd love to work with you to take your logistics to the next level! #4PL #oceanfreight #FCL #consolidation #logistics #loadplanning

Every year, we spend a morning cleaning the beach at the Holland State Park. This year we collected 89lbs of trash and walked a collective 70,000 steps—a win-win-win for the environment, beachgoers, and our health! Thanks to Alex Beni, Gregory Finses, Matt Wilgenhof, Caleb Digison, Judy Van Dussen, Leeann Owens, Jack Lindsay, Kyle Carey, Scott Wright, Juan Zavala, Matthew Field, Andy Levesque, and all the family members for your hard work!?

The Drewry World Container Index rose 1% last week, while the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index fell 1%. With spot rates still high but below pandemic peaks, analysts question if this is a pause or a plateau. Severe storms off South Africa disrupted shipping. Drewry expects high rates through peak season. Read the full article from Seatrade Maritime below. #oceanfreight #spotmarket #4PL #3PL #digitalauction #globalshipping #trade https://lnkd.in/eHV6ghAZ