C.R. England’s Top Tips + Tools for Holiday Freight Planning
The hustle and bustle of another holiday season is right around the corner and it’s the right time to ask if you’re prepared for it. Beyond any personal juncture that the holiday season brings, scaling business needs require tight deadlines, near-perfect planning, and even better execution.
Whether you’re shipping regionally or managing cross-country logistics, success during the peak holiday season depends on a variety of factors. While it can be hard to navigate the stressors and obstacles this time of year, you’ve got a carrier in your corner that can Deliver Excellence, Safe & On-Time, Every Time!
Check out C.R. England’s top tips and tools for your holiday freight planning!
Proactive Planning: The Foundation of Holiday Shipping Success
Successful execution of any goal is near impossible without proper planning in place. Beyond that, proactive planning is what sets apart average from excellent service. At C.R. England, we believe in delivering excellence, and you can expect proactive planning measures to be in place to ensure you get what you need — when you need it.
To proactively plan for holiday shipping here’s what we recommend:
Start early: Historical shipping data and current market trends help us anticipate your holiday needs with precision.
Coordinate closely: We build collaborative plans that sync your order timelines with our transportation schedules to avoid bottlenecks.
Set clear expectations: Our team helps define realistic service levels and delivery windows to meet your commitments.
Risk Mitigation: Strategic Freight Plans
The holidays are nothing but unpredictable with weather delays, labor shortages, equipment issues, and more. However, at C.R. England, we’ve weathered over a century of freight market storms — ensuring your success despite the stress.
Here’s what we recommend:
Multi-carrier strategies: While C.R. England is your Dedicated transportation partner, we recognize the value of a diversified logistics network, including over-the-road platforms, Intermodal plans, cross-border services, and more.
Regional staging: Our network of terminals and dedicated fleet operations allows you to pre-position freight near high-volume destinations.
Contingency routes and modes: We’re equipped to adjust needs quickly using alternate lanes, expedited options, and other solutions when needed.
Navigating Weather + Capacity Challenges: Proven Strategy
Holiday shipping volumes can strain industry-wide capacity — but at C.R. England, we have scalable solutions built for surges. As a top-tier carrier, we provide our customers with consistent, reliable capacity during peak periods regardless of weather, thanks to our large fleet, dedicated options, and strong planning infrastructure.
To navigate capacity challenges, we recommend the following:
Secure dedicated capacity: Our Dedicated Division provides customized solutions that ensure guaranteed service, even during spikes.
Build flexibility into your plan: By working with our network planners, you can develop variable routing and delivery options that adapt to demand.
Real-time updates: Our operations teams proactively monitor weather events and communicate changes before they impact delivery schedules.
Safety at the Center: Holiday Shipping Priority
No matter the time of year, or seasonality of weather, being Safe & On-Time Every Time is the service we strive to offer at C.R. England. Our professional drivers are extensively trained to handle winter conditions and tight holiday schedules with discipline, focus, and care.
Beyond having Safety as one of our core values, you can expect us to Deliver Excellence by:
Driver preparedness: We equip our drivers with winter driving training, PPE, and other resources to manage adverse conditions.
Vehicle readiness: Our maintenance team ensures every truck is winterized and road-ready before peak season.
Leverage telematics: Our fleet is supported by GPS, ELDs, and real-time monitoring systems to ensure compliance and transparency throughout your product journey.
Let’s Ship the Holidays Forward — Together
Whether you’re shipping retail goods, refrigerated products, or time-sensitive freight, C.R. England is here to support your success this holiday season and beyond. Let’s build a proactive plan that keeps your supply chain running smoothly — no matter what the holidays bring.
Contact our Sales Team today at (888)725-3737 or request a free service quote here today to start planning for success this holiday season.