Shipping Strategies for When “Just Shipping” Isn’t Enough

Amber Johnson
1 day ago
3 min read

If you’ve felt like the ground has shifted under your logistics program, you’re not imagining it. As Ryan Schwalbach shared on the Last2First podcast, the shipping industry has changed fast. E-commerce accelerated expectations, customers now want “fast + visible + reliable,” and global disruptions exposed every weak link in the chain.

In this new reality, “getting it there” isn’t enough. Winning brands treat shipping as a strategic function, not a commodity.

That’s exactly how we think at NOW Courier.

What does “strategic shipping” look like in practice?

Ryan grew up in this business (literally). From riding along in a cargo van to running routes at 4 a.m., to leading a 24/7 operation across the Midwest; his perspective built a simple truth into Now Courier’s DNA: every shipment sits inside a promise you’ve made to your customer.

Our job is to protect that promise with the right mix of speed, cost, handling, and communication.

Here’s how we put that shipping strategy to work:

Right-fit solutions, not one-size-fits-all. We match the service to your business model. Routine distribution routes, on-demand final mile, or time-critical moves. If you need an always-on partner for daily ops, start with our core Shipping Solutions. If the mission is “clock is ticking, stakes are high,” we deploy Expedited Freight with tight controls and real-time updates.
Operational visibility, baked in. Customers don’t accept vague ETAs anymore. We build proactive communication into the work: clear milestones, live status, and contingency plans when weather, traffic, or a broken axle tries to derail your day.
Specialized handling when it matters. From healthcare to high-value retail, speed is only half the story. Chain-of-custody, temperature sensitivity, and proof-positive delivery protocols keep risk low and confidence high.
Problem-solvers under pressure. Ryan jokes that he “calms down when the chaos starts”—and that’s the culture here. When the unexpected hits, our team doesn’t freeze; we reroute, re-crew, recover, and communicate.

Experience Is the Best Route Planner

Ryan’s family launched NOW Courier in 1986 and scaled it through banking, healthcare, legal, and e-commerce, adapting as each wave of technology reshaped logistics. That adaptability is the point: the companies that win are the ones that evolve their shipping playbook as the market changes.

When a national customer’s needs no longer aligned with sustainable service levels, Ryan made the hard call to walk away rather than compromise the network. That discipline is why our “yes” means yes today.

When e-commerce redefined last-mile speed, we expanded capabilities and communication standards so your brand promise survives the final mile; not just the first scan.

And when urgency is non-negotiable, we don’t guess. We precision-plan with Expedited Freight designed for medical, aerospace, and other high-stakes verticals.

Why Business Leaders Choose NOW Courier

Because we think like operators and owners. We’re not selling you “faster.” We’re building you smarter logistics: the right service tier for each shipment profile, visibility that prevents support tickets, and a partner who will tell you when a different approach will protect margins and customer experience.

If your brand competes on time-to-market, reliability, or white-glove delivery, shipping is part of your product.

Treat it that way and pick a partner who does, too.