Previously published on SDVoyager.com on January 2, 2019.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Martinez.

Helmed by the company’s two Cofounders — Rob and Trevor Outman — Shipware solves the problem of high shipping costs (parcel and LTL) through its unique services, which include the following:

Contract Optimization – Ensures you have the lowest possible contract rates by improving discounts and terms with companies like FedEx, UPS, US Postal Service, DHL and many others.

Invoice Audit & Recovery – Shipware’s proprietary audit software analyzes weekly parcel & LTL invoices for overcharges, late shipments and other common errors, and applies all credits directly to your carrier account.

Modal Optimization – Shipware will optimize your carrier mix and modes of transport to ensure you’re paying as little as possible for the transit speed required.

Spend Management Tools – Shipware provides powerful reporting tools for greater spend management visibility empowering our clients to make intelligent and low-cost transportation decisions.

Special Rate Programs – Small to medium volume shippers can use Shipware’s group rates with companies like FedEx, UPS, US Postal Service and DHL to immediately reduce costs, as much as 30%.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?

So far, so good! Shipware is in hyper-growth mode averaging triple digit YOY revenue growth in each of the past 5 years. We are 100% self-funded, debt-free, and our industry-best profit margins provide significant capital to continue to fund our rapid growth.

With 2014-2016 revenue growth of 525%, I’m delighted to announce that Shipware recently was named as an honoree in the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the US (#857) and #16 in San Diego.

Shipware is committed to being added to the list of “Best Places to Work in San Diego”. Shipware’s biggest strength is its dedicated associates that provide our clients with the best service and results in our industry. Shipware offers competitive salaries, strong benefits, employer retirement matching, profit sharing, and “work hard/play hard” fun team events to ensure a positive and vibrant culture.

Shipware – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?

Shipware’s passion is to utilize experience, IP & technology to help businesses reduce parcel (FedEx/UPS/US Postal Service/DHL) & LTL trucking costs while improving transportation spend management. Our tagline is Shipping Expertise – Savings Delivered.

Shipware has been negotiating parcel & LTL contracts – on both sides of the negotiating table – since 1991. Once engaged, we guide your team through the entire contract negotiation process in real time. Our compensation is based on actual, implemented savings, guaranteeing results or we’re not paid. The value of Shipware’s Contract Optimization services extends well beyond pure bottom-line savings. Not only do our results continue to impact savings well beyond our term of engagement, but also our process enables our clients to learn exactly how to achieve a best-in-class carrier program on their own.

Shipware also provides powerful data mining software and state-of-the-art online reporting tools empowering our clients to make intelligent cost-saving transportation decisions. Shipware can also analyze and optimize your delivery network to save money and improve delivery transit using Carrier/Mode Optimization strategies. Our proprietary audit software analyzes weekly parcel invoices for billing errors and service failures. With 50+ audit points, Shipware’s audit recovers more dollars than any other audit firm, which is confirmed time and time again in head to head comparisons. All credits are directly applied to your carrier account.

Our core values of integrity, professionalism, customer partnership, and innovation are formulated to ensure the highest client value in our industry. We view each client as a vital partner, and we aim to establish long-term relationships. Since 2001, Shipware has achieved savings for its clients 5-30%. We know of no other firm in the world that can match our track record of savings, professionalism and unmatched value.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?

Good question! I personally measure success and being able to look yourself in the mirror knowing you gave it your all and achieved the most optimal results you possibly could have achieved.

Company-wide success means that every single Shipware associate (affectionately called “ShipWarriors” internally) can — at the end of every day — look themselves in the mirror and ask that same question. Did you give it all you had? If yes, we won’t have to worry about finding success. It will find us!

Ultimately, we measure success in our customers’ eyes, as it all comes down to satisfying our clients. Shipware’s success goal is to exceed our clients’ expectations by delivering value beyond their reach.