Transportation is the Achilles’ heel of many companies in the building materials industry. Shipping is often costly and time-consuming, with bulky, time-sensitive freight requiring special care in transit. Yet, by partnering with Mothership, Johnson Hardwood transformed what is typically an industry pain point into a competitive advantage.

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Johnson Hardwood is one of the leading manufacturers of premium hardwood flooring with distribution to the United States and Canada. The company produces on-trend, high-demand flooring options by sourcing durable hardwood species from around the globe. Each premium flooring plank is precision milled, hand-crafted and hand-stained to produce an exquisite product. The company’s products are recognized for their affordability and superior quality.

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Here is how Johnson Hardwood streamlined its supply chain and operations and turned what for others are logistical obstacles into a powerful differentiator in their market.

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How companies in the building materials industry ship their goods

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Companies in the building materials industry generally rely on trucks or rail to ship their goods. 

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The businesses need flatbed trailers to transport large or heavy items, such as hardwood flooring, concrete blocks or steel beams, or dry van trailers for more fragile objects, such as doors, tiles, wall trim or other millwork. Trains, cargo ships or barges transport raw materials, including lumber or steel, over long distances, which trucks later pick up for local, final-mile deliveries to construction sites or residential areas.

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As a result, shipping building materials can be expensive because freight rates rise with the increased weight, larger dimensions and various transportation modes needed. Additional or specialized services, such as permits for oversized loads, tarping, liftgates or expedited delivery, can make shipping pricier for bulk materials.

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Johnson Hardwood cut monthly freight costs by 25%

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Johnson Hardwood previously relied on traditional freight carriers but looked to switch as shipping reliability worsened and expenses climbed.

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“Traditional carriers caused delays. Not only is the freight cost higher, but we occasionally ran into shipment delays, which angered customers who did not receive their orders on time,” a Johnson Hardwood company representative said. “We’ve been able to cut down on our monthly costs by 25% with Mothership. Plus, Mothership’s same-day delivery capabilities gave us the ability to promise and deliver on any customer-requested shipment dates.”

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Mothership helps companies in the building materials industry and shippers in other industries save on final-mile freight. Rates start at $45 per shipment—and there are no hidden fees—for same-day delivery with a 97% on-time pick-up and delivery rate.

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Mothership’s reliable same-day delivery network covers 85% of the U.S. population, including major markets, such as the greater Los Angeles area, the Inland Empire, San Diego and its suburbs, and the San Francisco Bay Area in California; the Chicago and Detroit metropolitan areas; the Dallas metroplex and greater Houston in Texas; New York City and southern New Jersey; the Philadelphia area and southeastern Pennsylvania; the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. region; greater Atlanta in the South; and Miami and South Florida.

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Mothership also provides specialized services, such as free liftgate service, for which other freight carriers charge hefty fees, providing immediate savings upon booking.

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Reducing damage to goods during transit to zero

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Johnson Hardwood and other companies in the building materials industry need their goods to arrive at construction sites reliably, safely and quickly. They rely on freight providers who understand the unique logistical considerations of packaging and securing commodities, compliance, real-time shipment tracking, and even deliveries to undeveloped or remote areas—core competencies of Mothership.

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“We experienced a lot of damage before Mothership, costing us anywhere between $300 and $1,000 per order,” a Johnson Hardwood company representative explained. “Mothership reduced freight damage to 0%. Our shipment orders do not go through freight terminals before final delivery, which has resulted in no shipment damages.”

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Mothership minimizes cargo handling during transportation and eliminates freight terminal stops, reducing damage and other transit risks. The company’s less-than-truckload freight and same-day deliveries have 10 times lower damage and loss rates compared to the average 1% damage and loss claims in the freight industry. Carriers are also fully vetted for safety and handling skills, certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation and required to carry insurance to protect the goods they move.

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Mothership also provides FreightProtect™ coverage for additional coverage and peace of mind. Shippers can purchase FreightProtect™ coverage starting at 13 cents for every $100 of cargo value covered, and many claims are resolved as quickly as 24 hours once filed with up to 100% reimbursement on the freight’s declared value.