Blog - Great Western Transporation

Refrigerated Trucking: Did You Know This?

The emergence of refrigerated trucking will leave its impact on business logistics for the rest of time. Refrigerated trucking has made it possible to transport foods and other goods that are susceptible to spoilage after traveling for long distances.

In the beginning, ice blocks were placed in the back of the refrigerated trucks and vans as a way to cool the goods. Things are certainly different now because refrigerated transport has become advanced enough to hold a variety of goods and cargo, and sometimes this will include prescription medication.

At Great Western Transportation, we love sharing news and other information that are relevant to our industry. Today, we want to provide you with a few fun facts about refrigerated trucking that you may not have known.

The Start Of Refrigerated Trucking

Refrigerated trucking was introduced in 1842 by the Western Railroad of Massachusetts during the winter season. During this time, railroad cars were used to haul goods. Eventually, the train cars started to use ice, but this method would only work when the weather was cold because warmer weather would cause the ice to melt.

Refrigerated Trucking Company

Can You Imagine This?

Can you imagine living in a world where you could only travel 50 miles with produce or other food because it would spoil if you drove a longer distance? Can you imagine a time when you could only eat food that was in your local area and in season at the time? Well, this was the world many people lived in before there was refrigerated trucking. Produce was not able to travel far before it spoiled and consumers could only eat would could be grown locally.

More Fun Facts About Refrigerated Trucking

The 1940s marked the introduction of mechanical refrigeration units

Refrigerated trailers are referred to as reefers in the transportation industry

Refrigerated trucking can be used to haul medications, produce, fresh goods, art, and more

A refrigerated truck that is maintained properly can drive up to more than a million miles

Transportation that requires refrigerated transportation is going to need the experience and professionalism of a service that will get the job done the right way. Great Western Transportation is committed to providing you with the quality service you need for your upcoming transport.

September 17, 2018 | | Category: Refrigerated Trucking

The Undeniable Benefits Of Power Only Trucking

There are a number of different types of trucking out there and power only trucking has gained a sizable amount of traction in recent years. For those who are unaware, the ‘power only’ concept refers to any load that is already packed up and ready to go. There are numerous advantages to be gained by using power only trucking and these are just a few:

No Insurance Expenses

Power only trucking keeps you from having to spend additional money on insurance-related expenses. These expenses are handled on the back end of the transaction. This makes for one of the most convenient trucking formats that are currently available.

No Maintenance Concerns

When a client decides that they are going to rely on power only trucking, all of the maintenance concerns that come with other forms of trucking fall by the wayside. No maintenance needs to be done and the process of vetting the driver is also something that the client no longer has to worry about.

Lower Costs

If all things are equal, power only trucking tends to come with a much lower cost than other forms of trucking. All of the container fees that are associated with other options that are available no longer need to be worried about. For companies that own all of their own containers for transporting products from point A to point B, power only trucking is one of the least expensive options out there.

Increased Level of Control

Power only trucking means that the client owns the trailers that are being used and this places them in complete and total control over the process. Loading the containers and making sure that they remain in compliance with federal regulations is all that needs to be done from a shipping standpoint.

If you wish to learn more about the ways that power only trucking can assist you going forward, be sure to contact Great Western Transportation as soon as possible.

September 4, 2018 | | Category: Power Only Trucking

Transporting Heavy Machinery: Choosing The Right Service

As a business owner, you may run into a few challenges when it is time for you to choose the right transportation company. If your business revolves around the use of heavy machinery and delicate machinery, it is very important for you to choose the right transportation team for your needs. In order for your business to flourish, we encourage you to take your time and choose the best logistics service for your needs.

Thankfully, there are transportation services you can trust and rely on for the services you need at affordable costs. We understand how expensive machinery is and how hard it is to produce, and these are only a few reasons why it is important to pay close attention to the transportation team you are considering.

Choose a transportation service that will provide your business with more than one type of service, such as the following:

refrigerated trucking
perishable goods transportation
temperature control
heavy equipment transportation
vehicle transportation services

The transportation service you choose must have the capability to deliver your machinery or other goods on time without causing any damage, and time and distance should not create any problems. Using the services of a transportation service as a logistics solution will be a major investment in the foundation and structure of your business.

Being aware of the equipment that will be used to transport your machinery will also be important because older equipment or broken equipment can make the transportation process slower than it should be.

The transportation of your machinery and other heavy equipment is a task that should be handled delicately, and you will need the services of a professional, skilled, and experienced transportation service team who will provide the best options that you can afford.

Are you ready to use a one-stop solution for your transportation needs? Are you ready to be presented with flexible options and custom services that will fit your needs?

August 23, 2018 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Demand Grows for Heavy-Haul Shipping

According to a recent article from Business Insider, the demand for trucks capable of hauling heavy items, such as construction equipment, has skyrocketed this year. There was a 141 percent increase in orders for heavy-haul trucks in June over the same month last year, the article noted.

The reason these trucks are in such high demand has to do not only with an increase in freight needing to be shipped in the face of strong economic growth, but also in the inability of the manufacturers of Class 8 trucks to keep up with the orders from companies needing to grow their fleets, and a lack of drivers to operate the trucks. This, combined with rising fuel costs and long delays, has caused headaches for many shippers, the article states.

Shippers should see some relief in the second half of the year as truck manufacturers whittle down the backlog of orders for heavy-haul trucks, the Business Insider reports. However, it remains to be seen whether or not fuel prices will decrease or the driver shortage will subside.

Are you in need of a heavy-haul truck to ship your construction equipment, and can’t wait for the shipping conditions to improve? Heavy-haul shipping can be complex. In addition to the high demand on the shipping industry, permits may also be required due to weight restrictions in states and municipalities throughout the continental United States and Canada. Great Western can help. We not only have access to the resources needed to ship your construction equipment, but the know-how to handle the requirements that must be met in order to get your equipment to you safely and as quickly as possible. For more information or to find out if your load is large enough to require the use of special equipment and a heavy-haul truck, contact us.

August 9, 2018 | | Category: Heavy Haul

Accommodate Your Needs With Flatbed Trucking

Flatbed trucking extends across a variety of industries, especially in transportation or construction, and these trucks are essential parts of any type of fleet operation. Flatbed trucks are generally used for transporting loads that are oversized or loads that have goods with abnormal shapes.

When many people think about transportation or hauling, they usually only think about the common hauling goods or materials like crates. However, flatbeds have proven to be an asset in farming, construction, towing, or the disposal of waste. When it is time for you to decide if your next haul could benefit from a flatbed truck, we want you to consider some of the frequent uses for flatbed trucks.

Building Materials

One of the common building materials that get transported is lumber, but building materials can consist of a variety of other materials, including the following:

steel
concrete
bricks
prefabricated building materials

A flatbed truck is well-known for transporting loads like this because it is the most practical option that you will be able to find. The heavy materials on the truck can easily be loaded and unloaded with the use of a crane or the use of hands, and you will not be limited to one direction.

Transporting Equipment

When you need to transport equipment bought at an auction, farming equipment, military equipment, etc., would you rather have it transported by a durable flatbed or would you want to drive the equipment to its destination? We think you would choose the safer alternative of having it transported on a flatbed.

Picking up or Moving Scrap Metal

Many companies make the decision to utilize a transportation service to transport scrap metal to and from a job site. The scrap metal will be taken to a facility and the metal will be eventually sold and given new life. Flatbed trucks are perfect for this type of transportation because of the ability to easily load and unload the trucks.

With its flat surface, flatbed trucking can hold more cargo than the other transportation options you may have considered. Flatbed trucks are also secured with straps, chains, and other methods to prevent your goods from slipping. Everything that is placed on a flatbed will be moved safely or carefully.

For flatbed transportation services that are safe and reliable, you can count on Great Western Transportation.

July 30, 2018 | | Category: Flatbed

Growth In LTL Trucking

The implementation of LTL shipping has differed over the years as companies have looked for various opportunities to defeat the countless challenges that come with transportation. An LTL transport carrier is one that integrates and transports small freight shipments while still using a variety of stops and terminals. There has been a tremendous amount of growth in the trucking industry and this can be attributed to the addition of more jobs, manufacturing, reduction in taxes, and a reduction in regulations.

With a major growth in the e-commerce industry, LTL transportation has become the main choice for the companies that want to meet the demands of their consumers while transforming their shipping methods. Retailers are utilizing various LTL shipping methods to successfully transport transitional inventory for delivery to the stores or to warehouses and distribution centers. Store imports are anticipated to increase for the remainder of this year.

less-than-truckload-ltl-shipping-services

Pricing for LTL shipments can be challenging to determine because every carrier will have their own price. Some LTL carriers may set their price based on the weight for the shipment and other may base their prices based on a variety of things, including freight classifications. As more companies begin to turn to LTL shipping and as the cost of fuel continues to rise, the rate of shipping will be reflected. When you are trying to determine if LTL is the perfect option for you, you should make sure you have a full and clear understanding of how the transportation service calculates its rate.

The LTL industry has and will continue to provide their shippers with a transportation service that will fulfill their needs while allowing them to ship items to the most intricate locations. When you have the right transportation partner, you will be able to finally obtain the flexibility you need to be successful.

July 20, 2018 | | Category: LTL

Transporting Equipment Bought At An Auction: The Best Tips And Pointers

So you have managed to win a prized piece of equipment at an auction and you were also able to save a great deal of money in the process. All of that is well and good but now that the item needs to be transported to its next destination, it is time to consider all of the following tips and pointers.

These are the best ways to ensure proper transportation once it comes time to handle this step…

Examine The Fine Print

Once you are meeting with transporters, it is important to take a moment to read the fine print. The coverage details are going to play a major role in this decision and you need to be sure that the equipment is going to remain intact while it is in transport. Choosing a carrier the pledges to provide the proper coverage when it comes to potential damages and losses is the only way to go in these scenarios.

Offering The Proper Information

When heavy equipment is being shipped from an auction to a new location, there is certain information that needs to be offered up immediately. The lot number of the equipment purchased and the buyer number under which it was purchased are key pieces of information that cannot be left out. The VIN number must also be included. The carrier will need to know if the equipment is able to be towed, if it starts and if it can be driven from place to place.

Double Check All Paperwork

You would be surprised at how many shipping snafus take place because the person does not take the time to read over all of the paperwork. Does the transporter have access to the aforementioned information? Do they have the proper address? Making assumptions is never wise, so take the time to go over everything twice and ask as many questions as necessary.

If you have any further questions about the best ways to transport equipment that was won at an auction, take time out to contact Great Western Transportation so that we can provide the necessary assistance!

July 12, 2018 | | Category: Flatbed, General, Heavy Haul

Overcoming The Challenges Of Shipping Construction Equipment

Shipping construction equipment is not nearly as simple as it looks. It is a process that requires a certain amount of knowledge and experience. There also certain pitfalls and challenges that are bound to crop up along the way. The following is a guide to overcoming these challenges going forward.

Packing Related Mishaps

Before the service that is responsible for assisting with the shipping process arrives, the parties who are looking to ship their construction equipment should take all of the proper steps to ensure that the packing is done properly. Is the equipment protected from the elements? Is the packaging going to ensure the structural integrity of the items in question? Do the necessary research before it is too late so that avoidable problems do not occur.

Choosing The Right Carrier

This is a key step in the process. The carrier that is chosen should have the correct specializations to cater to the needs of the customer in question. Ask the right questions when meeting with carriers. Have they handled tasks like this one in the past? Are they experienced as far as the specific hauling needs of the construction company are concerned? Don’t choose a carrier without expert agents that can offer the right answers to these questions.

Purchasing Insurance

Shipping construction equipment requires the purchase of insurance and this should go without saying. But is it the right insurance? Will it cover every eventuality that could potentially take place? Does it address the specific concerns associated with this particular shipping endeavor? Knowing the ins and outs of what the policy covers is very important.

If you need further assistance when it comes to overcoming the challenges of shipping construction equipment, be sure to contact Great Western Transportation. We are here to assist you in all aspects of this endeavor.

July 6, 2018 | | Category: Flatbed, Heavy Haul