Operational inefficiencies are common in distribution yards, yet they should not be accepted as unavoidable business costs. The dollars and minutes spent on these inefficiencies are too high to ignore. Fortunately, shippers and brokers have multiple options to address these issues, including insourcing or outsourcing yard operations.
This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, examines industry data, and highlights the critical role of technology and sustainability in improving yard performance.
The U.S. distribution yard management sector consists of several stakeholders, primarily brokers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, with a significant portion being shippers and manufacturers. Recent industry data reveals that:
This split provides valuable insights into operational priorities, challenges, and actionable strategies tailored to different business models.
The types of goods shipped or brokered by these stakeholders span various industries, including:
These sectors face unique challenges but share a common need for optimized yard management to ensure timely deliveries and cost efficiency.
Many companies choose to manage yard operations entirely in-house, citing benefits such as:
Despite these perceived advantages, insourced yard operations often struggle with:
Limited Visibility: A Yard Management System (YMS) can improve visibility into yard efficiencies, leading to bottlenecks and unplanned delays. Insourced customers can use YMS through a 3PL YMS provider or develop an in-house system.
High Operational Costs: Managing in-house drivers, maintenance, and technology investments can strain resources.
Missed Opportunities for Optimization: Insourced operations are frequently reactive rather than proactive, and they need more scalability and the expertise of specialized providers. It is much more complex and costly to staff up for things like peak events/seasons with insourced models as they are, most likely, paying temp driver rates or using contract drivers. 3PLs can use drivers from their existing pool (ex RRT, cross-trained drivers, etc.)
Risk: Solely responsible for damages, claims, OSHA recordables, and DOT compliance.
By partnering with experienced 3PL providers, companies can achieve:
Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Dedicated experts use proven processes and technology to optimize yard throughput.
Cost Savings: Reduced overhead and streamlined workflows lower overall operational costs.
Improved Visibility: Integration with advanced YMS tools provides real-time insights into yard operations.
3PL: takes on most of the risk of damages, claims, OSHA Recordables, and DOT Compliance.
Outsourcing providers often leverage state-of-the-art technologies such as:
Yard Management Systems (YMS): Automates task allocation, tracks trailer movements, and provides actionable data. Additional roles can include faster yard checks, better yard health and more accurate trailer location tracking, trailer utilization reporting.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Supports sustainability goals and reduces fuel costs. It can also create net year-over-year savings vs. diesel and help meet state/local/leaseholder requirements.
A growing focus on sustainability is reshaping yard operations. Companies adopting technologies like YMS and EVs experience significant benefits, including:
Reduced Carbon Footprint: Electric yard trucks and optimized routing lower emissions, reduce diesel gallon savings, and reduce/eliminate the chance of spills on the yard during PMs, including fluid replacements.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Real-time visibility into yard performance enables faster turnaround times; also, better up-time compared to diesel and increased driver retention
Cost Reduction: Reduced reliance on fossil fuels and lower maintenance costs translate into long-term savings. Grants and subsidies can help lower the CapEx costs as well.
Outsourcing yard operations to a single-service provider like Lazer Logistics delivers measurable efficiency, cost, and sustainability benefits. Lazer specializes in yard logistics solutions that optimize throughput at transition points across the connected supply chain. Their expertise in leveraging technology, integrating sustainability initiatives, and offering end-to-end service makes them an ideal partner for companies seeking to transform their yard operations. Lazer also takes on all risks and provides a multi-level approach to coverage for vacancies, sick/vacation days, call-offs, and peak/surge events.
Shippers and brokers gain access to industry-leading tools and insights by choosing Lazer Logistics, ensuring their operations remain agile and competitive in today’s fast-paced logistics landscape.
Sources
As the logistics industry accelerates toward a more sustainable future, one thing is clear: the road to fleet electrification starts in the yard.
Step into the yard of the future, and you’ll find it humming with quiet electric trucks powered by clean energy
As the freight industry faces mounting pressure to reduce emissions and embrace sustainable practices, one thing is clear
In today’s fast-paced logistics environment, efficiency, visibility, and cost savings stand as top priorities for distribution yard management.
Lazer Logistics is excited to participate in the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, taking place in Anaheim
Eight years after launching its industry-leading EV Spotter Program, Lazer Logistics has surpassed 2 million zero-emission miles.
An beverage company partnered with Lazer Logistics to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its yard management operations.
In Southern California’s Inland Empire, a major retail corporation and Lazer Logistics, a provider of yard logistics solutions,
A large meat processing plant relies on transporting its perishable goods across the United States. The company operates within a highly competitive market where efficiency and reliability are paramount.
A large meat processing plant relies on transporting its perishable goods across the United States.
A leading food processing and production company that operates several distribution centers across the United States faced challenges with inefficient yard management and trailer logistics
A leading multinational Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) company has embraced sustainability as a core aspect of its business strategy.
ATLANTA, GA — August 11, 2025 — Lazer Logistics, North America’s leading provider of yard management and logistics solutions, today announced the acquisition of NetCorp Trailers
ALPHARETTA, GA – June 16, 2025 – Lazer Logistics, North America’s most trusted provider of outsourced yard management services, announced today its acquisition of GATT Yard Spotting Services.
ALPHARETTA, GA – May 1, 2025 – Lazer Logistics, the leading provider of yard management and logistics solutions across North America
ALPHARETTA, GA & KANSAS CITY, MO – April 28, 2025 –Lazer Logistics, the industry leader in third-party yard management, and Orange EV
ALPHARETTA, Georgia – April 11, 2025 – Lazer Logistics has once again earned a spot on Transport Topics’ annual Top 100 Logistics Companies in North America
ALPHARETTA, GA, Jan. 14, 2025 – Lazer Logistics, Inc., (“Lazer Logistics”), the leading provider of outsourced, end-to-end yard management services in North America
© 2025 Lazer Logistics, Inc.
