About

If you are interested in joining the International Furniture Transportation and Logistics Council please contact Ray Bohman at (508) 945-2272. Upon joining you will receive three newsletters each month with up-to-date information on industry trends, events, and information that will help you become a more effective transportation/logistics manager. There is an annual conference where all three segments of our industry (retail stores, manufacturers and transportation companies) meet together to share ideas and gain important knowledge on industry topics. You are welcome to print our Membership Application and mail it off, or you can email your request and we will send you all the details immediately.

Membership Application (click on link to print application)

On January 1, 2000, after nearly 75 years representing the vital interests of our industry in the fields of packaging, shipping and transportation before carrier rate bureaus, classification committees and federal transport tribunals, the National Furniture Traffic conference voted to change its name and mission to that of a professional organization, with principal emphasis on research, information and education - a direction in which we had been moving since the advent of deregulation.

While we haven't given up our role as an advocacy organization altogether, it will be far more limited than it was in the past, focusing primarily on matters affecting our industry before the trucking industry's National Classification Committee, which has responsibility for establishing rules, classification descriptions and ratings and packaging requirements published in the National Motor Freight Classification. To help you keep abreast of developments in the field of packaging, shipping, transportation and logistics, we publish three (3) informative newsletters every month, usually with a minimum of six pages. Included are:

THE FURNITURE TRANSPORTER - This publication is designed to cover news, statistics and trends exclusively or primarily affecting the transportation of furniture - new carrier services, general rate increases, fuel surcharges, changes in classification ratings, changes in protective packaging requirements, etc., etc.

TRAFFIC NEWSLETTER - A general newsletter highlighting what we consider to have been the most important developments in the field of domestic transportation over the past month, with heavy emphasis on LTL transportation.

OCEAN SHIPPING NEWSLETTER - For those involved in exporting or importing new furniture in containerized loads, this publication summarizes the most significant developments in carrier services, pricing, rules and regulations affecting every major shipping lane to and from the U.S. and Canada.

SPECIAL REPORTS - From time-to-time will be issued, covering topics of timely interest, in depth.

IFTLC Individualized Membership Services

We're here to give you a hand whenever the need arises - as an adjunct to your transportation/logistics. Just pick up the phone and give Ray Bohman a call on his direct line (508) 945-2272 or you can also send an email to him at: raybohman@aol.com

Here are just a few of the areas where we may be able to be of service to you and at no charge:

Meeting Your Informational Needs

Our broad background in this field, backed up by one of the largest and most comprehensive transportation libraries in the country, can many times provide you with precisely the technical information you may require, often during your call. We also have over 500 topical files to draw from. And if we don't have it in house, we can usually tell you where to get it in short order.

Consultation Service

Faced with a problem and looking for a source to bounce it off of, give us a buzz. Over the years we've probably been involved in a problem similar to yours, or have background information that could have a significant impact on the direction in which you'll move, which we'll be happy to share with you. And every call is strictly confidential - we always have our clerical collar on!

Freight Classification Interpretation

Unsure which of the more than 300 classification descriptions and ratings in the National Motor Freight Classification properly applies? We've been involved in the classification of new furniture, furniture parts and related articles for years and have an expertise unmatched in this field.

Interpretation of Carrier Packaging Requirements for New Furniture

Should you have any questions in the area of protective packaging requirements for new furniture published in the National Motor Freight Classification or the railroads' Uniform Freight Classification, we're also the source of expertise in this field - the "F" packages, "S" packages, performance testing (Rules 180 and 181). We also edit the definitive text in this field - Furniture Packaging - which translates detailed written specifications into easy-to-understand line drawings- the "F" and "S" packs.

So don't just sit there scratching your head. Let us show you how we can be of invaluable service to you - whenever the need arises. Just dial (508) 945-2272 or send us an email .

If you are not a member and would like to join, please print our Membership Application and mail it off, or send us an email and we will send you all the information you need.