The last mile has become both critical and fragile. It’s critical because of surging demand for ecommerce and same-day delivery, and it’s fragile because of mounting disruptions — labor disputes, severe weather events, capacity crunches, carriers going out of business, and more. In this environment, relying on a single carrier or delivery mode is no longer a viable strategy. The old way of operating (one rate, one carrier, one method) just doesn’t cut it anymore. In fact, it’s become a liability.
That’s why so many shippers are diversifying the last mile as a strategic safeguard. Diversity gives shippers with a backup plan, but there’s also a broader strategic element to diversification — it’s a path to creating a resilient, flexible delivery network that can adapt in real time as disruptions emerge. While some brands are doubling down on closed, vertically integrated delivery models, that approach comes with serious limitations: reduced flexibility, locked-in service levels, and the risk of conflicting priorities.
On the other hand, a multicarrier, multimode approach ensures that your last mile is not only disruption-proof — but that it’s also optimized for cost, speed, and customer satisfaction.
The Hidden Risk of a Single-Threaded Last Mile
A “single-threaded” last mile occurs when fulfillment relies too heavily on an internal fleet and just one or two external carriers. It may seem efficient on the surface — fewer contracts, simpler routing, consistent rates. But beneath that simplicity lies a dangerous vulnerability: overdependence.
We’ve already seen how fragile that setup can be. The threat of a UPS strike sent ripples through the supply chain in 2023, and now the Canada Post strike is creating fulfillment issues. FedEx has popularized the use of demand surcharges, which can leave shippers scrambling for alternatives. And Yellow Corp.’s bankruptcy left freight stranded and networks disrupted nationwide. Black swan supply chain events are symptomatic of a delivery landscape that’s now in constant flux.
Even some 3PLs and couriers that attempt to master the last mile aren’t immune. When they can’t keep their trucks busy or scale to meet surging demand, they struggle and sometimes even close their doors for good. The result? Shippers are left are left in a lurch — and their customers are left waiting.
In a world where disruption has become the norm, a single-threaded last mile is a liability that shippers can’t afford.
Business Continuity Through Carrier Diversity
When demand spikes or disruptions hit, businesses that rely on a single carrier are the first to feel the pain. OneRail partners often come to us after learning the hard way that carrier diversity isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential to business continuity.
Here’s why a multicarrier strategy builds real-world resilience:
- Redundancy = Reliability: If one carrier falters, others keep your deliveries moving.
- The Right Carrier for the Job: Tap into parcel, scheduled, bulk, or specialty carriers as needed.
- Room to Scale: More carriers means more capacity when demand surges.
As OneRail CEO Bill Catania shared in a 2024 Supply Chain Brain interview: Retailers feel like “relying on a single carrier is detrimental to their business.” It’s just like investing. A single stock may fluctuate dramatically, but a diversified fund spreads the risk.
The Shipper’s Choice: Proprietary Network vs. Platform Model
Many proprietary networks follow a vertically integrated model. It’s essentially a closed-loop delivery system that prioritizes the owner’s own ecosystem first. While that may work for the owner, it poses serious risks for shippers who need flexibility and control.
What’s at stake with a proprietary network?
- Limited flexibility: You’re locked into their service model and network.
- Fixed rates and service levels: There’s less room to negotiate or adapt.
- Conflicted interests: You’re relying on a retailer who may also be your competitor.
OneRail takes a different approach:
- Carrier-agnostic: We help you find the right carrier for each delivery.
- 1000+ integrated fleets: National and regional capacity at your fingertips.
- Intelligent dispatching: Automatically select the best match based on real-time data rather than pre-set preferences.
In short, OneRail gives you a platform, not a walled garden.
Alternatives to FedEx & UPS: A Multicarrier Ecosystem
FedEx and UPS have long been the backbone of parcel delivery, but that dominance comes with serious drawbacks:
- Volume caps during peak season
- Ongoing labor negotiations and strike threats
- Limited flexibility and rigid SLAs
Today’s delivery landscape is broader, faster, and more dynamic than just a few years ago. Amid this evolution, a growing network of regional, local, and gig-based carriers has emerged — and when orchestrated well, they can outperform the legacy players on speed, cost, and service.
OneRail makes this multicarrier ecosystem accessible.
With a single integration, our platform connects you to a vast array of carriers and provides the intelligence to manage them with confidence. When you rely on OneRail as your last mile delivery platform, you get:
- Real-time routing and dispatch
- SLA- and cost-based carrier selection
- End-to-end visibility and control across all deliveries in a single pane of glass
- Automated mode selection across parcel, LTL, courier providers, and others
- Flexibility and the ability to scale capacity quickly
Most importantly, OneRail empowers you to build a smarter, more agile delivery network that supports business continuity and allows retailers and wholesalers to keep their delivery promise.
Make Your Last Mile Disruption-Proof
From extreme weather to labor strikes and even full-on carrier shutdowns, recent years have made one thing clear: disruption is a new reality, not just a trend.
Are you prepared for the next disruption? In a world where unpredictable shocks can cripple fulfillment operations, a single-threaded strategy can lead to disaster. The only solutions to the ongoing barrage of disruptions are proactive planning and a multicarrier strategy that keeps your business agile — no matter what the market throws your way.
At OneRail, we provide access to the multicarrier ecosystem that you need to thrive in this new reality. See our platform in action and discover the power of diversification by scheduling a demo.
