NMFTA’s Director of Operations Shares Key Strategies & Prep for Upcoming NMFC LTL Class Changes | Episode 52
Freight classification is undergoing its biggest shift in years and it’s coming fast. With July 19 around the corner, understanding upcoming NMFC classification changes and how they will impact your shipments is key.
In Episode 52 of Banyan Technology’s Tire Tracks® podcast, Keith Peterson, Director of Operations at NMFTA, and Teresa Waldron, Director of Client Experience at Banyan Technology, break down the NMFC classification changes and discuss how palletization, tech and collaboration are shaping the future of LTL.
Peterson advises that Shippers and 3PLs use this change as an opportunity to revisit how they package freight, especially how dimensions are measured and whether handling units are optimized for efficiency and damage reduction
“Knowing your freight’s density and dimensions is more important than ever,” Peterson said. “This change makes it easier and more accurate to classify shipments, but it requires everyone to level up how they operate.”
Peterson shares that the overhaul to the NMFC was driven by a need to better reflect how freight looks today. He explains that before this change, only about 100 items had moved to full-density classification over several years, but the new docket will affect thousands of items in one coordinated effort.
NMFC Classification Changes Episode Key Points
- Keith’s “born-in” logistics journey and Teresa’s LTL career path.
- What it’s like managing NMFTA’s classifications.
- Why density became the primary classification factor.
- Insight into how freight class will change in July.
- Examples of items with drastic classification changes.
- Simplifying classification through palletization.
- Banyan’s tech updates to support the NMFC classification changes.
- The essential role of technology in NMFTA’s updates.
- Why the timing is right for this overhaul.
- Reasons why more freight is being palletized today.
- How reclassification impacts product catalogs.
- Whether or not reclassifications will reduce rating disputes.
- Ways that Banyan stays ahead with education and tools.
- Final preparation tips for Shippers, 3PLs and Carriers.
“What carriers really want to charge for is the space on their trailer. That’s [the reason for] the push to density.” — Keith Peterson [0:19:58]
“Be aware that, if you have a lot of classes that need to be updated and if you utilize our product catalog, those changes are going to have to be updated in your catalog as well.” — Teresa Waldron [0:25:19]
“Get to know your shipment profile. What does your freight look like going out of the dock? This could be a good chance to relook at your packaging. – Can it be more dense and can you get less damage as a result?” — Keith Peterson [0:34:13]
Learn how you can prepare for the upcoming NMFC classification changes. Click above to view Tire Tracks episode 52.
Read our full coverage of the NMFC classification changes and what they mean for your business.
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