Cut Costs from Point A to Point B: Nation’s Leading Shipping Reseller, Unishippers, Saves Businesses 10-20% Off Annual Shipping

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Need-Based Franchise Recognizes Every Business Ships; Provides Opportunity for Dynamic, Sales-Driven Entrepreneurs

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – As the nation’s first and largest shipping reseller company, Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC has filled a niche, and is fueled by two constants – every business ships and every business looks to save money in some capacity. Last year alone, Unishippers saved its customers an average of 20% on nearly 10 million shipments, and partnered with more than 75,000 small businesses looking to decrease costs, but not at the expense of diminishing customer service.

With more than 285 franchise locations, Unishippers provides small business owners a complete line of shipping options, including express, ground, freight, and international, all from one company. Partnering with more than thirty regional and national shipping carriers, including, UPS®, YRC, Estes, and Saia, Unishippers can offer small and mid-sized business owners complete shipping options, attractive pricing, and local customer service that its customers can’t receive anywhere else. As one of only two companies authorized by UPS to be their official shipping reseller, Unishippers has found success with this partnership because each company complements the other.

“While the UPS brand credibility and global reach draws in businesses, customers rely on Unishippers’ local customer service experience to maintain the business relationship,” said Dan Lockwood, President of Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC. “Both companies are a perfect match to create a better service to small and mid-sized businesses in communities across the country.”

Because every business has shipping needs, Unishippers’ shipping solutions have become attractive to “Main Street” business owners becoming increasingly more cost-conscious, and are looking for the one-on-one, ongoing customer service attention. These customers feel a sense of trust knowing that Unishippers sales managers and customer service experts are in the community and can provide face-to-face service, compared to a customer service center located halfway across the globe.

“People often take shipping for granted and do not realize how much money can be saved,” said Lockwood. With Unishippers, customers are attracted for the price, but stay because of the high level of individual customer service. Our commitment to high service levels is legendary, and is one reason a recent survey showed that 89% of all customers would refer Unishippers.”

Originally founded in 1987 and operated from a home in Salt Lake City, the company focused on selling a single shipping product from a single carrier. Today, Unishippers has grown to more than 285 successful franchise locations in forty-nine states, serves 75,000 small to mid-sized business customers, and moves nearly one million shipments per month.

In 2009, despite a down economy, Unishippers introduced 17 new franchise owners to the system and with an aggressive growth strategy for 2010, Unishippers’ plans to add 13 franchise locations either opened or signed agreements throughout the country by the end of the year.

Operated with minimal staffing needs in sales management and customer service, the Unishippers franchise model touts owner flexibility, allowing for its owners to set own schedules and work normal business weeks. The franchise owner doesn’t actually ship anything, but instead, is responsible for selling and servicing the customer accounts. To achieve this end, Unishippers supplies its franchise system with state-of-the-art, proprietary shipment processing systems, such as Express Manager and Freight Manager. For example, with usability compared to Travelocity® functions, Freight Manager enables franchise owners and customers to directly pick and choose heavy freight options based on cost, carrier or scheduling. In addition, franchisees have access to a robust invoicing and customer management system that facilitates the customer relationship with ease. Unishippers franchise owners also enjoy residual income on every shipment, so they can enjoy years of returns off a single sale.

“Unishippers’ franchise owners like to be aggressive in the business arena,” said Lockwood. “Always striving for the thrill of the sale, owners typically enjoy being ‘on’ everyday while looking to provide small and mid-sized business owners superior customer service and unmatched pricing and shipping options.”

With any new small business, the first ninety days of operation is crucial for success. To make sure new franchise owners are initially put on the right track, Unishippers uses online modules and in-person advanced training to its franchise system that provides initial foundation to assure healthy, successful openings. Following initial new owner and sales training, owners participate in a 2-3 day internship with current owners in the top of the system, and actually call for business in their own market to go over techniques and receive constructive criticism. At the end of training, new franchise owners create and present their business plan to the executives of the company.

With limitless opportunities in the shipping resell industry, the Unishippers business model is the type that small and mid-sized business customers and sales-driven entrepreneurs alike are seeing as big business.

About Unishippers
Founded in 1987, Unishippers has grown to the largest reseller of shipping services in the nation with more than 285 franchise locations. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, the Unishippers concept is simple – work with major carriers including UPS®, Saia, Estes and YRC to handle the pickup, transport and delivery of customers’ shipments. All the while, local franchisees work to provide customers with service and support. By leveraging the combined shipping volume of all its customers, Unishippers gets deeply discounted rates from its carriers, resulting in lower shipping costs. Unishippers serves more than 75,000 small to mid-sized businesses, and has been recognized as a top franchise in 2009 by Entrepreneur, Franchise Times and AllBusiness. For information on Unishippers, including information on franchising opportunities and price quotes, visit www.unishippers.com.

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