How to Save Money on Business Delivery Expenses

Are ballooning delivery costs carving a massive hole in your profits? For many Australian business owners, watching logistics expenses climb is a constant battle in a courier market now worth $13.7 billion.

With road freight volumes projected to grow 56% by 2040, getting these costs under control isn’t just smart; it’s essential for survival. My name is Walter Scremin, CEO of Ontime Delivery Solutions, and I’ve spent two decades turning logistics from a cost centre into a strategic asset.

The real problem isn’t just the price of diesel. It’s the lack of a cohesive strategy.

This guide provides a holistic framework to fix that. We will master three core pillars to build lasting resilience and turn your delivery function into a competitive advantage.

• Pillar 1: Mastering Internal Efficiency, The Foundation of Control
• Pillar 2: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships, The Engine for Scale
• Pillar 3: Achieving Total Financial Control, The True Bottom Line
• Your Blueprint for Transformation, A 4-Week Action Plan

Pillar 1: Mastering Internal Efficiency, The Foundation of Control

Before optimising external relationships, you must master what happens within your own four walls. Building this foundation of internal control is the first, most powerful step you can take toward significant cost savings.

Unpacking Your Packaging to Find Savings and Brand Value

In Australia, carriers charge for dimensional weight—the space your package takes up, not just its physical weight. Using oversized boxes means you are literally paying to ship empty air.

Right-sizing your packages immediately cuts carrier costs, boosting your profit margin on every item shipped. This also reduces material waste, aligning your brand with eco-conscious consumers and improving the customer’s unboxing experience.

Streamlining Your Operations, From Warehouse to Welcome Mat

Operational efficiency is a direct predictor of profitability. As a Deloitte survey found, data-driven companies consistently outperform their peers by using digital tools to create seamless workflows that eliminate human error.

Even starting with free route planning tools can make a difference. The goal is a system so reliable that costly “Where is my parcel?” calls stop flooding your phone lines, freeing up your team for value-adding tasks.

Action Point: Your 15-Minute Internal Process Audit

You cannot fix what you cannot see. Take 15 minutes to map your process from order receipt to driver handover and ask these critical questions:

• Where are the two most significant time sinks in this process?
• At what stage do most errors or customer complaints originate?
• If we could automate one single task in our dispatch process, what would it be?

The answers reveal your low-hanging fruit—the immediate opportunities to tighten operations and start saving money today.

Pillar 2: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships, The Engine for Scale

With an efficient internal process, you are now positioned to make smarter decisions about your external delivery partners. The goal is to move beyond a transactional mindset and find a partner that becomes an engine for your growth.

Moving Beyond Ad-Hoc to Choose the Right Delivery Model

Juggling multiple ad-hoc carriers to chase the lowest daily price is a race to the bottom that creates a chaotic customer experience. A different driver in an unmarked van showing up every day erodes brand consistency and professionalism.

A strategic approach invests in the right *model*, not the cheapest transaction. A dedicated team provides stability, meaning the same professional driver who understands your protocols represents your brand every single day, reducing errors and building client trust.

The Specialist Advantage for Handling Complex and “Ugly” Freight

With over 80% of Australian households now making online purchases, the need to ship complex items has exploded. A true partner must have the specialist fleet to handle your *actual* business needs, not just standard parcels.

This means matching the right vehicle to the job, whether it’s delivering bumpers for the automotive industry or sensitive goods for healthcare providers. A diverse fleet with 2-tonne refrigerated vans or 12-tonne Tautliners ensures you never overpay by using the wrong tool, making your logistics cost-effective by design.

Why Local Expertise Wins in Australia

In a country as vast as Australia, local expertise is a non-negotiable asset. A partner who understands Melbourne’s hook turns or Perth’s industrial loading docks provides an inherent advantage.

Choosing an Australian-owned partner focused on metropolitan operations delivers localised efficiency and accountable support. This results in faster, more reliable deliveries and a superior service experience for your end customers.