Freight transport is an essential component of the logistics chain, and choosing the correct mode of transport can have a significant impact on the efficiency and profitability of your business. In this article, we will focus on groupage, the terms associated with it, and the reasons why OEPIA can be your ideal partner in this field.
What is Groupage?
Groupage refers to the transportation of smaller quantities of goods that do not require the use of the entire capacity of a truck. These loads are collected from multiple customers and transported together to similar destinations, thus optimizing the use of space in the truck and reducing costs.
Groupage can be done with both general goods – using tarpaulins or insulated vans, as well as for goods that require controlled temperature – using refrigerated vans or vans with a partition wall to maintain two separate temperature zones.
What are the differences between FTL, LTL, and PTL?
| FTL (Full Truckload) | LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) | PTL (Partial Truckload) |
| It refers to full truck load (FTL) shipments, where an entire truck is reserved for a single shipment. This option is ideal when you have a large quantity of goods that need to be transported or when time is crucial. With FTL, you have complete control over the truck and delivery. | A way to transport smaller loads that do not require the entire capacity of a truck is called Less-Than-Truckload (LTL). They are consolidated with other similar-sized loads to fill the truck completely and reduce costs. LTL is more flexible than Full-Truckload (FTL) and can be a more economical option for smaller shipments. However, it is the most time-consuming and sensitive to damage. It requires much more handling, and there may be multiple stops for loading and unloading goods along the way, which means that your products will be moved and may be damaged | Partial Truckload (PTL) is indeed a less common term, but it is an interesting alternative to LTL and FTL. It is a hybrid between LTL and FTL, where a significant portion of the truck is reserved for a single shipment, but not the entire truck. PTL can offer a balance between total control and cost efficiency. This solution is used for at least 4+ pallets of goods, requires less handling than LTL, but more stops than FTL and a longer transit time |
LTL or PTL: what to choose?
Choosing between LTL and PTL depends on the specific needs of your business and the following aspects should be taken into consideration:
- Volume of goods: If you have a significant load, FTL may be the most suitable option. If you have palletized goods, PTL is the solution, and for shipments with less than 2-3 pallets, LTL is a good alternative.
- Expedition control: If you want complete control over the route and management of the shipment, FTL may be the most suitable option. If you are willing to share the truck with other shippers and allow consolidation of goods, then LTL or PTL could be better choices. Keep in mind that transit times increase as follows: FTL – shortest time < PTL < LTL – longest transit time.
- Costs: LTL and PTL can offer significant savings compared to FTL. If you are looking for more economical transport options, these could be the solution.
What types of goods can be transported in groupage?
According to your message, the following categories of goods are accepted as combined goods: fruits and vegetables, fresh food products (dairy, meat, frozen products, seafood, etc.), semi-frozen, frozen, medicines and pharmaceutical components (supplements, vitamins), pharmaceutical products (vaccines), plants and flowers, cosmetics (makeup, lotions) and any other goods whose quality degrades in improper weather conditions. In certain situations, the use of bitemp trucks with partition walls is recommended.
Certain goods cannot be transported as combined goods, such as: materials that are extremely dangerous and belong to the ADR1 class, some of the 6 additional subgroups, products that decompose rapidly, and oversized loads.
The advantages of freight consolidation are:
- Cost-efficient: You pay only for the space you use in the truck.
- Flexibility: It can be adapted to different types and sizes of loads.
- Sustainability: Fewer empty trucks on the road mean a reduced ecological impact.
OEPIA: Your Partner in Freight Consolidation
OEPIA is here to help you make the best choices when it comes to transporting goods. With over 10 years of experience in the field and a modern fleet, we can offer FTL, LTL, and PTL transport services tailored to your needs. We are dedicated to the safety and security of your goods, fast deliveries, and offering personalized solutions.
Over the course of 15 years of activity, we have organized numerous vegetable and fruit transportations in groupage mode, mixed cargo for European traders or producers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, or Greece. We have thus developed know-how in working with Key Accounts and the main logistics platforms in Romania: Profi Rom Food, Rewe Romania, Auchan Romania, Romania Hypermarche, Delhaize Group, Carrefour Romania, Kaufland Romania, Lidl Discount, La Lorraine Romania/Macromex
For trader and producer clients of vegetables and fruits from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Greece, or other European countries, we offer transport services with multiple unloading points at supermarket and hypermarket platforms in Romania. In the event of a refusal or return of goods, independent of OEPIA, we have the possibility of collecting pallets from hypermarket platforms, and subsequently delivering them to other destinations or storing them in our own warehouses, according to customer instructions. We assure you of flexible logistics services: temperature-controlled storage, cargo handling, quality control for vegetables and fruits, labeling, repackaging, and sorting of bulk goods.
Join many satisfied partners and choose OEPIA for a reliable freight transport service!
