Technology depends on precision — so why do the freight costs for shipping electronics from one point to another often include surprise fees? Target Freight Management (TFM), which the Inc. 500/5000 list has recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. for four straight years, has the answer.
Their new solution will debut Jan 8-11 in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show, proving ground breakthrough technologies for 50 years and the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. It’s called the Dimensionalizer, and it’s going to change the way electronics (and everything else) gets shipped.
“In the past few years, as the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) has moved more products from predictable ‘straight class pricing’ to variable ‘density-based pricing,’ freight carriers have changed the model they use for rate quotes,” says TFM President and CEO Mike Wagner. “This has led to some expensive surprises for shippers.” For example, a shipment that has historically been considered Class 100 could move up to Class 300 or 400 based on its weight and dimensions – often tripling or quadrupling the price. “But the shipper often doesn’t know about the change in class and cost until the freight is delivered and the bill is received,” explains Wagner. “By that time, it’s too late to mitigate the negative financial impact.”
This is where the Dimensionalizer comes in.
“The Dimensionalizer allows shippers to quickly measure and catalog shipments with complete accuracy,” explains Wagner. The system will weigh, measure and dim your shipment in under 10 seconds. TFM’s patented software uses APIs to seamlessly communicate this information to our Transportation Management System and to the customer’s ERP. After the shipper’s data has been collected and any frequently-used shipment sizes and weight are identified, TFM will use your profile to get quicker price quoting and to renegotiate agreement and volume-based discounts on the shipper’s behalf. The Dimensionalizer also photographs your freight from all angles and attaches those images in its system and to the bill of lading, which is invaluable support in the event that you have any damages claims.
“Ensuring accurate measurements from door-to-door before a shipment leaves the sender will save shippers time, money, and future headaches down the road,” says Wagner.
