C.H. Robinson – one of the world’s largest logistics platforms – announced today a series of tech enhancements that delivers first-of-its-kind digital transformation to small business shippers when they need it most.

As small businesses face increased challenges, enhancements to self-shipping tool Freightquote by C.H. Robinson further automate and simplify the shipping experience for small business owners while providing instant shipping options and real-time visibility to track shipments across all modes.

Small business owners have already reported saving half the time and cost when booking their shipping through Freightquote by C.H. Robinson. From a single online portal, they have access to more shipping options than any other shipping provider has ever offered, for everything from a single package to a full truckload – and everything in between. These additional shipping options provide needed flexibility for B2B small businesses focused on e-commerce as they face increased pressure to fulfill growing online orders.

The self-service shipping tool automatically provides new enhancements like terminal pick-up and drop-off to reduce costs; an interactive map that helps avoid additional charges; and even an option to hire a “Tasker” through an innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership with TaskRabbit.

The pioneering integration with TaskRabbit utilizes “Taskers” – independent contractors that offer their services via the TaskRabbit platform – to assist small business customers in ensuring that shipments are ready for pick-up. This is TaskRabbit’s first integration with a shipping partner in the B2B market. By ensuring that their shipments are packaged correctly for transportation, small business owners avoid the risk of losing time and money from damaged goods or a rejected pick-up that was not properly prepared.

“We designed Freightquote by C.H. Robinson with easy-to-use technology, and are pleased that we are now unlocking even more automated opportunities to meet the shipping needs of our small business customers,” said Mac Pinkerton, President of C.H. Robinson’s North American Surface Transportation division. “We know that many small business owners today face unprecedented challenges. That is why we built these new digital enhancements using our unmatched scale, information advantage and technology built by supply chain experts to make it easier than ever to meet their unique shipping needs today and in the future.”

The TaskRabbit partnership allows shippers to hire a Tasker to correctly package or palletize shipments; and book a Tasker to move shipments to a convenient location for carrier pick-up and to help with moving and unpacking shipments.

“We saw a real opportunity to drive value for small businesses through our partnership with C.H. Robinson,” said Diana Rothschild, Director of Strategic Partnerships at TaskRabbit. “We’re thrilled that they are our first shipping partner and look forward to working together to maximize TaskRabbit’s capabilities for small businesses as we continue to grow our services in the B2B space.”

In addition to the partnership with TaskRabbit, C.H. Robinson has also added the following innovative new features to support small business customers.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and the digital startup Qwyk have announced a global cooperation. As of July 2020 Qwyk, which is operating the largest database for sailing schedules for FCL, LCL and Air, will deliver data to Hellmann´s global LCL sailing schedules.

The real time data will be made accessible to customers via Hellmann´s digital frontend “Hellmann Portal”. The availability of more than 2,500 weekly direct consolidation services currently offered by Hellmann significantly increases transparency throughout the entire ocean transport. Up-to-date information on available transport capacities and clearly defined departure and arrival dates allow for the optimization of the entire supply chain management as well as pre- and post-carriage processes. The cooperation is a major cornerstone in the ongoing internal and customer-facing digitization of Hellmann.

With the global initiative in cooperation with Qwyk, Hellmann takes the LCL-customer service to a new level. The transparent and real time digital service-offer, which also reduces manual processes through direct and automated access to life data, offers transparency as well as a more efficient management of transport chains.  With over 90 carriers in the portfolio and Qwyk’s logic to control the data accuracy, both, the right amount of data and the correct data, are provided.

Norman Setzkorn, Global Head of LCL, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: “The sailing schedule initiative is part of our global digital agenda in which we design solutions and applications for our customers to support their supply chains. For us, Qwyk is a perfect partner to digitize processes in our LCL business. They have the data on hand that we need, but moreover, they collaborate with us to integrate this information in the solutions we want to provide to our customers and network. Thanks to the new database our customers will have full access to all of our sailing schedules globally and can choose the connection that fits their individual needs.”

“We are extremely happy to have Hellmann as a new customer and partner”, says Martyn Verhaegen, CEO and Founder of Qwyk, “Hellmann’s traditional roots, combined with it being an innovative and forward-looking company, makes it very exciting for us to be a part of their digitization journey. We believe freight forwarders have massive upsides to expect when digitizing, and Hellmann is taking the steps to leverage those, achieving benefits for their customers, partners and teams.”

CEVA Logistics Mexico has been appointed to operate a new dedicated warehouse to support IKEA Mexico’s operations in the country. This facility opening is an extension of the existing successful global partnership between CEVA and the world’s largest furniture retailer.

The Mexico City IKEA Store will become the company’s first retail location in Latin America and CEVA has been awarded a multi-year contract to operate it.

CEVA will be responsible for all operational activities of the new CEDIS (Distribution Center). CEVA will utilize its Matrix® IT platform to manage all the warehouse processes. The partnership between CEVA and IKEA Mexico heralds economic growth in the region and the creation of job opportunities.

This new market is another addition to the expanding portfolio of business CEVA has developed with IKEA globally over the past five years.

Says Dominik Dittrich, CEVA’s Executive Vice President of Contract Logistics, North America: “We are delighted to have been awarded this long-term contract with IKEA Mexico. This is testimony to our expertise in customer and retail logistics and to our dedication. Our experienced team members are working hard to get everything in place in time for the official opening and we are excited to support the IKEA Mexico team in this new adventure.”