LTL Case Study: 18 Percent Cost Reduction Through LTL RFP Optimization

A distribution company managing frequent regional shipments was silently overspending on LTL. Rates had climbed, accessorials were unpredictable, and invoices were piling up with reclasses, liftgate fees, and questionable charges. Carrier selection was inconsistent from lane to lane, which caused delays, service failures, and costly customer frustrations.

On top of that, the internal team was drowning in claims, rebills, and disputes — spending hours every week on administrative tasks instead of managing their operation.

They needed a partner who could streamline LTL, eliminate waste, and create a predictable cost structure.

Thompson Transport Group stepped in with a data-driven optimization solution.

The Challenge

The shipper’s LTL network was suffering from several long-standing issues:

• Excessive accessorial charges on nearly every weekly shipment
• Limited visibility on transit performance and carrier mix
• High reclass and reweigh occurrences
• Inconsistent carrier routing that created unnecessary cost variance
• Slow dispute resolution that consumed hours of internal time
• Frequent service failures that impacted customer delivery experience

The team knew they were overspending, but they lacked the tools, benchmarking, and carrier access needed to fix it.

The Solution

Thompson Transport Group conducted a detailed lane-by-lane LTL audit to understand cost drivers, carrier behavior, and accessorial patterns. Using that analysis, TTG launched a structured quarterly RFP and plugged the shipper into Armstrong’s API-connected LTL carrier network — giving them access to competitive rates, better routing logic, and centralized claim handling.

The optimization plan included:

• Improved carrier routing through an API-connected LTL network
• Negotiated reductions on the most common accessorials
• Weekly shipment consolidation to eliminate unnecessary minimum charges
• Standardized carrier selection to improve consistency and reduce variance
• Armstrong’s LTL support team managing all claims and billing disputes
• Full visibility into spend, performance, and lane-level optimization opportunities

The shipper gained both cost control and operational relief.

The Results

Within just 60 days, the transformation was significant.

• 18 percent total reduction in LTL transportation costs
• Dramatic drop in accessorial fees including liftgate, reclass, and reweigh charges
• Improved transit consistency and fewer service disruptions
• Every claim and billing dispute handled directly by the LTL support team
• A lighter internal workload with faster, smoother customer deliveries

For the first time in years, the shipper had a predictable LTL program with clear reporting, stable costs, and proactive support.

Why It Matters

Most shippers overspend on LTL without realizing it. Reclasses, accessorials, rebills, and poor routing quietly drain budgets and consume valuable operational hours. TTG’s optimization framework — backed by Armstrong’s dedicated LTL claims and billing team — delivers lower costs, fewer headaches, and confidence that every shipment is routed the right way.

Considering Your Own LTL Costs?

If your team is dealing with rising rates, inconsistent carriers, frequent disputes, or limited visibility, Thompson Transport Group can rebuild your LTL program for cost efficiency and operational clarity. From carrier optimization to claims management, TTG delivers reliable solutions that strengthen your entire supply chain.