LTL Shipping
Many shippers typically do not ship loads large enough to fill an entire trailer. Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight provides a practical and cost-effective solution for shipments that don't require substantial trailer space when delivering your goods.
At Patterson Companies, we've been providing expert transportation services since 1985. We excel at coordinating LTL shipments in addition to other solutions for perishable and non-perishable goods. Our combination of highly skilled professionals, best-in-class systems and transparent communication enables us to meet every customer's demands.
Our LTL Solutions
LTL freight services are the ideal solutions for shippers who handle smaller shipments. By sharing a truck with other shipments, you do not have to pay a full truckload (FTL) rate and will still get your products safely to their destination. LTL solutions work best for one to six pallets weighing between 200 and 10,000 pounds.
Patterson Companies maintains strong relationships with dozens of the top volume carriers for LTL freight, meaning we can provide solutions that suit virtually any budget or timeline. Our capabilities include:
- Traditional: Manage costs and only pay for the space you need. Shipments are consolidated, and commodities are transported based on their destination.
- Expedited: When you have a strict deadline to meet, expedited LTL solutions help you handle it. Continue shipping smaller loads with a faster delivery period.
- Volume: Some shipments are in between sizes — too large for traditional LTL and too small for FTL. In these cases, our volume LTL solutions meet your requirements.
- Temperature-controlled: Temperature-sensitive shipments aren't exclusive to FTL. We offer temperature-controlled LTL to keep your sensitive commodities safe in transit.
- Cross-border: Our extensive shipping network and technologies empower us to handle LTL shipments to and from Canada and Mexico.
On top of shipping solutions designed to keep your business rolling, we offer additional features for ease. Count on us for:
- Supplemental insurance with affordable rates.
- API Integrations with your existing TMS to display rates.
- End-to-end automation from quote to delivery, plus live tracking updates.
What Are the Benefits of LTL Shipping?
Our LTL freight services can provide numerous benefits for businesses like yours:
- Reduced shipping costs: Unlike FTL, where the shipper bears the entire cost of the trailer, LTL only requires you to pay for the amount of trailer space you're using. This arrangement is much more economical for smaller shipments.
- More frequent deliveries: With LTL, you don't have to wait until you have enough goods to fill a trailer. This flexibility allows you to ship popular items more frequently, which improves service to your customers and gives your business a competitive advantage.
- Safety/security: Your goods remain safe and secure throughout the shipping process.
- Flexibility: Get customized services to meet your unique pricing and shipping requirements.
- Easy tracking: Patterson's LTL platform provides clear visibility and transparency throughout the process. Access to real-time tracking technology allows you to monitor your shipment throughout its transit until it arrives safely at its destination.