If you’re involved in shopping or manufacturing, you probably have heard the phrase “skew number” being constantly used in warehouses, stores, and distribution centers. For those not in the know, “Skew” is actually an acronym for SKU, a code that keeps shipments organized for accurate deliveries.

This identifier can come in the form of a alphanumeric code or barcode. It helps logistics companies, manufacturers, and retailers streamline operations by preventing errors and reducing delays.

SKU Meaning: How It Applies to Freight Shipping

SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit. This alphanumeric code is typically eight to 12 characters long and assigned to individual products to distinguish them from others in a warehouse or wider distribution system, like at the checkout line in your grocery store.

SKU codes most often get scanned with barcode scanners or mobile devices. The scanner reads the code's pattern, converts it into data, and matches it with product information in the system. This technology is not new; the first barcode was scanned in 1974 in a supermarket on Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum.

Things have certainly evolved since then. In freight shipping, SKUs help companies like C & S Transportation monitor custom shipments and transport the right items to where they need to go. Unlike consumer-facing SKUs, which primarily assist with sales and stock levels in retail settings, freight SKUs focus on bulk quantities and packaging configurations. Carriers and warehouses rely on these codes to process orders accurately and prevent shipping errors.

SKU Definitions: Consumers vs. Freight

Retailers use SKUs to categorize individual products for sale. For example, a clothing store might assign separate SKUs for different sizes and colors of the same shirt. That lets store employees and online systems locate items, manage stock levels, and facilitate purchases and returns.

The importance of SKUs in freight shipping is broader. Instead of tracking single products, they represent cases, pallets, or bulk shipments. These identifiers account for variations like packaging types, weight classifications, and special handling instructions. Distinguishing between individual retail units and large-scale freight shipments helps C& S improve logistics coordination and avoid inventory discrepancies.

Why SKU in Freight Shipping Matters for C & S Transportation

Our team uses SKUs and barcodes to track freight, reduce errors, and maintain smooth logistics for single and multi-modal operations. Using SKUs with C&S's LTL freight services consolidates shipping by efficiently organizing products, reducing handling time, improving accuracy, and lowering overall transportation costs. A clear SKU structure allows us to:

• Identify products quickly during loading and unloading.
• Minimize delays by matching orders to shipments.
• Reduce misplacements in warehouses and distribution centers.
• Improve tracking accuracy for customers expecting deliveries.
  

Freight management becomes complicated without a structured SKU system, potentially causing delays and losses. It’s easy to see why SKUs in freight shipping also matter to our valued clients.

How Businesses Benefit from a Strong SKU System

A well-maintained SKU system offers businesses greater control over their supply chains:

• Prevent stock shortages and overages by tracking supply levels.
• Speed up order processing with clearly labeled shipments.
• Reduce costs associated with misplaced or incorrect deliveries.
• Improve reporting and analytics for long-term planning.
• Maintain reliable inventory management at scale.
  

Keep Shipments Organized with C & S Transportation

Freight logistics is a complex business, but our structured SKU system simplifies the process for clients. 

We efficiently manage shipments precisely by relying on accurate identifiers for each load and keeping supply chains running smoothly. 

Contact C & S Transportation and learn how we can support your shipping needs with reliable tracking. Call us in Nicholasville, KY, for a free quote and coast-to-coast service.