From Chaos to Clarity: How Uttermost Simplified LTL Shipping with Shiplify
When it comes to less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, even the most sophisticated shippers can struggle with limited visibility, inaccurate quotes, and unexpected accessorial charges.
Uttermost, a leading furniture manufacturer known for its broad catalog of home décor and accent furniture, was no exception. But by partnering with Shiplify, the company turned those challenges into opportunities, streamlining its shipping operations and significantly improving cost predictability while strengthening carrier relationships.
The Challenge: Incomplete Accessorial Data and Operational Strain
With over 5,000 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) and approximately 15,000 active customers, Uttermost serves a diverse set of retailers, designers, and commercial buyers across the country. Their three strategically placed distribution centers across the United States allow for efficient fulfillment, but gaps in accessorial visibility were threatening overall performance.
LTL shipping scenarios such as missing liftgates, limited accessibility, and incomplete location data led to surprise fees, strained relationships with carriers, and countless hours spent resolving billing disputes. Errors and inconsistencies in invoicing undermined customer satisfaction and clogged operational workflows. The lack of visibility into accessorial needs further contributed to unexpected charges, making it difficult to maintain a seamless order-to-delivery process. Uttermost understood the need for a solution that could eliminate guesswork, improve accuracy, and equip them with the tools to make informed, data-driven decisions.
Shiplify Provides Seamless Integration and Enhanced Delivery Intelligence
Uttermost’s turning point came through one of their carriers, who highlighted how Shiplify’s tools had improved their invoicing accuracy. A quick internal review revealed that all of Uttermost’s carriers already used Shiplify’s platform, making the decision to adopt it internally a natural next step. What followed was a seamless integration of Shiplify’s advanced logistics platform with Uttermost’s existing systems, including their shipping technology, sales applications, and warehouse operations.
Shiplify’s platform offered features tailor-made to address Uttermost’s key challenges. Thanks to Shiplify’s robust API and user-friendly interface, the transition was smooth and fast. The standout solution was the automatic identification of accessorial needs during order submission. Shiplify immediately began surfacing key delivery insights, including location forklift accessibility, limited access indicators, and complex delivery scenarios, at the time of order submission, enabling Uttermost to preemptively account for these charges.
With this newfound visibility, Uttermost dramatically reduced unexpected accessorial fees by 75%, and now is able to generate more accurate invoices to its customers, reduce billing surprises, and improve alignment with carrier partners.
The Results: Lower Variance, Stronger Relationships, Better Business Decisions
By using Shiplify to uncover and track accessorial needs in real-time, Uttermost experienced a measurable transformation across its shipping operation.
- Reduced Invoice Discrepancies
By aligning operational data with carrier-specific requirements, Uttermost saw a 75% drop in surprise accessorial charges. Accurate invoicing strengthened customer relationships and reduced the strains of billing disputes, freeing up internal resources for more strategic tasks. - Enhanced Transparency
Shiplify provided real-time visibility into delivery locations, ensuring that Uttermost could anticipate accessorial needs, avoid missed charges, and optimize quotes. This visibility eliminated guesswork, enabling smoother communication and greater trust with carriers. - Operational Efficiency
The reduction in billing discrepancies allowed Uttermost to streamline their shipping workflows. Teams could focus on value-added activities rather than navigating disputes or resolving administrative errors, boosting overall efficiency. - Better Decision-Making
Shiplify’s platform empowered Uttermost with accurate, real-time data. This enabled their team to make faster, smarter decisions (while eliminating guesswork) regarding future shipping operations, enhancing their ability to exceed customer needs while maintaining profitability. - Improved Customer Experience
Transparent and accurate freight quotes made orders easier to process and reduced the need for customers to rely on representatives for support. This streamlined experience was a win-win for both Uttermost and their clients.
Why Shiplify Makes a Difference
Whether it’s reducing costly errors, streamlining operations, or improving data transparency, Shiplify equips its partners with the resources to overcome LTL challenges. The success of Uttermost highlights what is possible when cutting-edge technology meets a forward-thinking business. By enhancing visibility, automating accessorial identification, and enabling better decision-making, Shiplify helped Uttermost reduce operational complexity, improve carrier relations, and achieve greater control over LTL shipping costs.
Businesses facing similar LTL shipping challenges must realize that smarter shipping starts with better data and the right partner. Ready to gain control over your LTL operations? Connect with Shiplify today and discover how our platform can help you reduce costs, improve accuracy, and deliver an overall better shipping experience.