A shipper’s supply chain provides a vital link to growth, especially for small businesses. But like any process or approach, it needs to be polished and refined to maintain top efficiency.

At Amazon Freight, we know efficiency. By combining 50,000 of our own freight trailers with advanced tech and the Amazon network, we help shippers put the power of Amazon behind their operations. The result? A stronger, more resilient supply chain that supports overall business growth.

If you’re ready to design a stronger freight supply chain for your organization, we’ve got four tips to help you get started.

1. Identify where you fit within the freight cycle
The freight industry is complex—ebbing and flowing with the change of seasons. These frequent shifts impact many facets of transportation, including available capacity and freight rates.

To stay ahead of seasonal, monthly, and even weekly changes, you must understand where your business stands in the overall freight business cycle. This can help you determine if you should enter a freight shipping contract, how long of a term you should choose, and how frequently you might need to renew. For more insights on these cycles and seasonality in freight, click here.

2. Shift demand to avoid busy transportation times
There are strong cost benefits associated with building density and consolidating shipments. While consolidating is not always a feasible option for smaller shippers, it can help to strengthen your supply chain.

So, where do you start? Evaluate the supply chain links that leave your small business most vulnerable to disruption. For example, if you rely heavily on bulk orders from specific customers to determine when you should book a load, you may want to start by working more closely with them. Doing so can prove to the customer that you’re ready to go above and beyond, while simultaneously helping to reinforce your own supply chain. Plus, if you can consolidate, you’ll often have more opportunity to streamline pickups.

3. Use technology to manage and monitor your shipments
The freight industry leverages technology to move loads more efficiently and deconstruct silos across operations—an incredible benefit for shippers.

For example, APIs can be used to integrate systems and electronic PODs (proofs of delivery) making it easier to confirm if a shipment has arrived. Many of today’s trailers include devices that allow providers to monitor carrier movements and help enhance safety. These tech innovations combine to improve visibility, transparency, and efficiency—which equates to cost savings and swifter deliveries for shippers.

And that’s why our third tip is to leverage the power of technology to manage, monitor, and move your freight with confidence. For instance, at Amazon Freight, our trailers are fitted with a GPS tracker device to support logistics and planning. As a result, we’re able to improve operations and customer service for our shippers.

Bryan Cuevas, CEO of C Group Logistics, is an Amazon Freight shipper who leverages our online portal to book loads. Once the load is picked up, Cuevas can immediately track its departure, progress, and arrival. “I like getting the notifications that keep me informed, so I know everything is running smoothly and can grab a load’s POD quickly,” he says.

4. Set a high bar for your service provider
Working with a reliable freight transportation provider is a crucial part of strengthening your supply chain. Depending on your shipping volume and needs, you may want to work with multiple providers. To maximize these relationships, make sure your top providers offer shipper benefits such as capacity guarantees, a broad shipping network, and a proven track record of excellent customer service.

Take the relationship between Specialty Laminates and Amazon Freight, for example. Thanks to Amazon’s network, we are able to provide the capacity guarantees this manufacturing company needs to support their supply chain. Plus, our commitment to responsive service helps Specialty Laminates improve relationships with their own customers. “Freight used to be a barrier to our growth,” says CEO Jonny Nikolic. “But now, it’s an opportunity to access new markets because of Amazon Freight.”

This is why you should hold your providers to a high standard. After all, they’re the direct link between your warehouse and your customers.

The strongest link in your supply chain
Want to find out how Amazon Freight can become a valuable part of your supply chain? Create a shipper account today.