The pinch from the supply chain bottleneck has been acutely felt in the logistics and transportation solutions field. As the United States has emerged from a raucous pandemic economy, corporate relocation programs have especially felt the pinch of exploding demand for services alongside unstable availability of both equipment and people. This is a reality that is expected to trend upwards for the foreseeable future, especially with inflation and the cost of doing business becoming an additional cause for anxiety. 

Shifting Demands for an Economy on the Move

The great migration of individuals during COVID has been replaced by companies packing up and moving more than ever before. As a result, business leaders continue to be mindful of cost efficiency. This has led to many companies reassessing their real estate needs, as can be seen in the form of return-to-office policies, downsizing, office decentralization and prioritizing more, smaller “satellite” headquarters, and/or relocating headquarters altogether. Also of note is that while companies are not reducing office space, they are becoming more mindful of creating more spacious work environments. 

Along with these shifts, the post-pandemic economy has jumpstarted other economies by creating new opportunities. For example, in the case of car dealerships, more business owners are meeting their private and business clients where they are at either by delivery, or even by moving into the areas that experienced significant population increases. In addition, with conferences and conventions coming back to pre-pandemic levels, more companies recognize the need for showcasing their vehicles on site; this can also include, but is not limited to, car rentals planning for increased demands in specific regions for crowd-attracting events. Simultaneously, more specialists in the trucking industry are experiencing their own “freight recession,” leading to more drivers looking for new opportunities in their sector to keep pace with current realities.

As a result, companies that specialize in moving logistics are at the center of the ripple effect of the post-pandemic economy. It is more critical than ever for company leaders to be mindful about one of the most crucial – but often overlooked – investments they can be making in relocation: their vehicles. Just as no responsible employer would hire just anyone to work for their company, no company leader tasked with relocation logistics should pick just any service for moving their cars, trucks, warehouse and utility vehicles, farm equipment, and more. 

How Auto Logistics Support Corporate Relocation

Enter logistical services that specialize in auto deliveries for corporate relocation programs. These companies are pivotal to ensuring that transitions are as seamless, timely, and cost-effective as possible, providing expertise and know-how to the unique ins and outs of freighting literal tons of equipment to new destinations and opportunities. 

Ramping Up

Before any wheels touch the ramp, logisticians prepare to support clients by asking questions related to scale: timing, how many vehicles need to be moved and if they need to be moved all at once or in sequence, size of vehicles, delivery methods, and, of course, distance and what kinds of storage will be required both during and immediately after delivery. The answers to these questions help determine cost estimates, as well as help companies plan what resources – such as freight vehicles and covers – that they will need to support their client.  

Reputable auto transport logistics companies also work with the client on pre-delivery vehicle inspections handling insurance documents to ensure accountability and quality control from start to end, as well as take care of details such as gas tank levels and protection from flying debris. These companies employ individuals with proper licensing, and who follow all traffic safety laws. 

In fact, because exhaustion is the leading cause of injury and even death on the road, and corporate standards for professional freighters meet or exceed these laws, with insurance policies to bolster these precautions. Safety on the road is yet another reason why more companies turn to auto logistics services: to prevent tragedy and liabilities due to tasking valued employees with moving duties.

Getting the Dodge Out of Dodge

Finding the most efficient route from Point A to Point B – or route optimization – is in the best interest of both client and company – and another way in which auto logistics companies play a vital role as partners in corporate relocation. Just as movers have fleets of specialized vehicles and hauling equipment, they also have a suite of tracking and information technology. 

Geolocation tools are a must both to ensure timeliness and accountability. Using modern mapping software, companies are empowered with tools that continue to map and track routes with pinpoint accuracy.

Delivery

Auto logistics drivers, in coordination with both client and coordinator, arrange for predetermined drop-off times and locations. In the event that delivery will either be early or delayed, reputable delivery companies will continue to update their client and provide options for how the client would like to proceed. 

Additionally, drivers will confirm that the car(s) are being delivered in the same condition in which they were dropped off – providing inspections and sign-off from the client. This quality assurance is another role that is delegated by company leaders tasked with relocation. 

Conclusion: Specialized Services for Any Business

A Sound Investment

The U.S. automotive industry is facing compounding challenges. Ironically, this comes at a time when Americans are more eager than ever to get “on the move” again, both personally and professionally. These setbacks range from notorious supply change issues during COVID, increasing international competition, increasing gas prices, more stringent regulatory demands to electrify personal and commercial vehicles, and, most recently, the “Big Three” auto workers strike grinding production to a standstill once again. All of this has continued to discourage business owners from buying new vehicles upon relocation, and rather holding onto existing equipment as transportation becomes a more efficient use of company resources. 

Furthermore, there are even more complex factors that make every relocation unique, and investors are taking note. Third-party logistics companies are on the rise, as more customers are turning to e-commerce. The rise of more customized delivery services has inadvertently driven up the need for more deliverers for the deliverers, with customization for their clients’ needs.  

No matter whether it is a move across town or across the world, no two moves are the same. It is for this reason that auto logistics companies are being sought more for their expertise in setting up more clients for success in their new locations.

Buyer Take Note: A Word of Caution

It is also worth noting that, unfortunately, there are many scams that impersonate these automotive relocation services. Fraudsters as a whole are more sophisticated than ever, and of course, they are adept at sniffing out opportunities. After all, moving is inherently stressful, whether it is personal, for a small business, or a multinational relocation, as it requires methodical planning often under a tight deadline. As a result, it is important to not fall victim to predatory scammers or services that do not have proven experience in the car logistics industry. 

The post The Role of Auto Logistics in Corporate Location Programs  appeared first on Global Trade Magazine.