Regional Carrier
Also known as: Regional Parcel Carrier, Local Carrier, Regional Shipper
Definition
Regional carriers focus on specific geographic areas rather than nationwide coverage. They often beat national carriers on price and speed within their service regions.
Major Regional Carriers
| Carrier | Region |
|---|---|
| OnTrac | Western US |
| LSO | Southwest |
| Spee-Dee | Upper Midwest |
| Eastern Connection | Northeast |
| GSO | California |
Regional vs. National Carriers
| Regional | National (UPS/FedEx) |
|---|---|
| Limited geography | Nationwide |
| Often cheaper | Higher rates |
| Faster in region | Consistent everywhere |
| Flexible service | Standardized |
| Less brand recognition | Known by all |
Benefits of Regional Carriers
- 10-30% cost savings
- Same-day or next-day in region
- More flexible cutoff times
- Personal service relationships
- Residential delivery focus
When to Use Regional Carriers
- High volume to specific regions
- Cost reduction priority
- Speed in regional lanes
- Overflow capacity needs
- Last mile specialization
Integration Considerations
- API/tech capabilities vary
- Tracking quality differs
- Customer recognition lower
- Claims processes differ
- May need multiple regionals
Building a Regional Strategy
- Analyze destination density
- Identify regional coverage
- Test with sample volume
- Compare service levels
- Integrate technically
- Monitor performance
- Scale successful lanes
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