How to Optimise Your Supply Chain with FLS Forward: Practical Tips for Businesses

In today's competitive business landscape, having an optimised supply chain can be a game-changer. Efficient logistics not only reduce costs but also ensure that your products reach customers on time, maintaining your reputation and boosting customer satisfaction. With FLS Forward, our flexible and scalable freight forwarding service, you have the tools to make your supply chain more efficient and resilient. Here’s a simple guide to help you make the most of our service and ensure excellence in your business.

1. Use Instant Pricing for Better Planning

One of the key features of FLS Forward is our instant pricing tool, which gives you immediate quotes for your transport needs. This feature allows you to quickly assess costs and plan your shipments more effectively.

How to make the most of instant pricing:

• Plan ahead: Use instant pricing to get an accurate estimate of your shipping costs in advance. This helps you budget more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.
• Compare options: Quickly compare costs for different routes and vehicle types, allowing you to choose the most cost-effective option for each shipment.

2. Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Freight

FLS Forward provides access to a wide range of vehicles, from small vans to large articulated lorries, suitable for all types of freight. This variety ensures that you always have the right vehicle for your specific needs, whether you're shipping a single pallet or a full load.

Tips for selecting the right vehicle:

• Match vehicle size to your load: Selecting a vehicle that fits your shipment perfectly helps to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Avoid using larger vehicles for small loads, as this can lead to higher costs and unnecessary emissions.
• Consider express options: If you have urgent shipments, make use of our express service to get a vehicle on-site within an hour. This is ideal for time-sensitive deliveries where every minute counts.

3. Leverage Load Visibility for Greater Control

Visibility is crucial for effective supply chain management. FLS Forward offers digital load visibility and key status notifications, ensuring you always know where your freight is and when it will arrive.

How to optimise with load visibility:

• Monitor shipments in real-time: Use our digital tools to track your shipments, allowing you to anticipate and address potential delays or issues before they become problems.
• Use status notifications: Stay informed with automated updates at every key stage of your shipment. This helps you keep your customers updated and make quick decisions if needed.

4. Optimise Your Routes for Efficiency and Cost Savings

By leveraging FLS Forward's extensive network, you can optimise your routes to minimise travel distances and reduce costs. Our service allows you to select the closest carrier to your collection point, ensuring faster pick-up times and lower transport costs.

Strategies for optimising your routes:

• Plan efficient routes: Consolidate shipments wherever possible to maximise vehicle utilisation and reduce the number of trips needed.
• Minimise empty miles: Arrange for return loads to avoid empty return journeys, reducing costs and environmental impact. This approach not only saves money but also supports greener logistics.

5. Utilise 24/7 Support for Seamless Operations

Supply chain disruptions can happen at any time, which is why FLS Forward offers 24/7 support. Our expert team is always available to assist with your logistics needs, ensuring your operations run smoothly.

Maximise your use of our support services:

• Contact us anytime: Don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team for advice, quotes, or to resolve any issues. Having round-the-clock access ensures that help is always available when you need it.
• Schedule strategically: Use our 24/7 availability to plan shipments during off-peak hours, reducing congestion and speeding up transit times.

6. Embrace Green Freight Practices for Sustainable Operations

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in all industries, and FLS Forward is committed to reducing the environmental impact within the freight transport realm. By choosing the nearest carrier and optimising routes, we help reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Incorporate green freight into your supply chain:

• Choose eco-friendly options: Select carriers who prioritise sustainability and opt for routes that minimise carbon emissions.
• Track and manage emissions: Use our post-load notifications to receive accredited carbon emissions data, helping you measure and reduce your environmental footprint.

Final Thoughts

By using FLS Forward, you can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of your supply chain, keeping costs down while meeting customer expectations. Whether you’re handling domestic or international freight, our comprehensive services provide the flexibility and reliability you need to succeed.

For more information or to request a quote, contact our FLS Forward team on 01633 288400 or email us at [email protected]. Let us help you optimise your supply chain for better performance and greater efficiency.