Freight consolidation can reduce the number of separate movements, but the saving should be measured after any additional handling, storage and waiting-related costs. A lower transport subtotal does not automatically make the combined plan the better operational decision.
Use this original worksheet when several compatible orders might travel together. WTM’s cross-dock service explains one form of transfer support; consolidation itself is the separate decision to combine suitable freight.
Compare two complete plans
Plan A moves the orders separately. Plan B combines them under a stated release date, handling arrangement and delivery commitment. Both plans need to serve the actual receivers; do not compare a combined movement that leaves one customer’s delivery unfinished.
Consolidation savings worksheet
Planning arithmetic only. No rates, carrier classification or loading capacity are certified. Inputs stay in this browser.
JavaScript is off. The formulas and worked examples below remain available.
The calculator subtracts the combined plan’s entered costs from the separate-movement total. It does not generate rates or assign a value to lost production or customer delay.
Worked example
Assume five separate movements at $160 each: $800 in total. A hypothetical combined arrangement costs $480 transportation, $40 additional storage and $30 additional handling. Total Plan B cost is $550, a saving of $250, or 31.25% against $800.
These are invented Canadian-dollar inputs before tax. If waiting creates another relevant cost, add it to Plan B. If the delay makes the plan unacceptable, reject the plan even before comparing the price.
| Decision field | Separate movements | Combined movement |
|---|---|---|
| Freight included | Identify all orders | Same orders |
| Release and arrival | Record each commitment | Record revised commitments |
| Transportation | Sum all relevant legs | Include complete combined plan |
| Extra handling/storage | Record where applicable | Include consolidation requirements |
| Operational acceptability | Check each order | Check each order again |
Separate compatible from incompatible work
Orders ready at different times may not be useful consolidation partners. Neither are goods with conflicting handling requirements simply because they share a destination city.
Identify the earliest necessary delivery and the latest confirmed readiness. That interval determines whether a useful consolidation window exists. An urgent component can be handled separately while other goods follow a planned movement.
Check that savings are not double-counted
A quote may already include transfer handling. Do not add the same charge again in the worksheet. Conversely, do not leave a required final-delivery leg out because it is arranged by another department.
The cost boundary should match the decision: compare all work that changes between the two options, and retain the unchanged items consistently.
Use actual order patterns
A one-off saving does not establish the annual result. For repeat work, test representative weeks with their actual readiness and receiving constraints. Keep the example calculations as examples until replaced with your own orders and accepted prices.
Send WTM the orders you are considering together. Our freight team can review a practical movement and relevant transfer support. Your decision should be based on the complete plan, not the word “consolidated” alone.
