#United States #Delivery Service #Chantilly #OnTrac #Ground Essentials

OnTrac Introduces Ground Essentials Service

On September 8, 2025, OnTrac announced the upcoming launch of its latest delivery service, OnTrac Ground Essentials. This innovative offering is specifically designed to cater to brands and third-party logistics (3PL) providers that ship non-urgent parcels at scale. The formal rollout is slated for early 2026, with select customers invited to pilot the service later in 2025.

This initiative arrives amidst evolving parcel shipping economics that were underscored in OnTrac’s recent State of Speed study. The study revealed that as transportation and import costs are on the rise, shippers are increasingly searching for dependable yet cost-effective shipping solutions. The year 2025 has witnessed a tightening of economy parcel shipping, reflecting the heightening costs attributed to price hikes and additional surcharges from traditional carriers. In this context, OnTrac Ground Essentials emerges as a valuable solution, promising savings of up to 30% against other national economy offerings while imposing fewer surcharges.

Vijay Ramachandran, the Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy at OnTrac, stated, "Retailers have expressed the necessity for an economical service that doesn’t jeopardize either cost or coverage. OnTrac Ground Essentials serves this purpose—delivering lower costs compared to traditional economy services while ensuring comprehensive coverage through our coast-to-coast delivery network, available seven days a week. This service finally aligns the need for scale with significant savings."

Key Features of OnTrac Ground Essentials

• - Deferred Service Value: Tailored for non-urgent parcels, transit times for the OnTrac Ground Essentials service typically exceed standard ground deliveries by 1-2 days, and include features such as visual proof of delivery, standard tracking, and limited claims coverage.
• - Cost Efficiency: Parcel costs can be up to 30% lower than comparable national economy services.
• - Flexibility in Parcel Types: This service supports a broad range of shipments; packages weighing from under 1 pound to 150 pounds can be accommodated through contract rates, subject to eligibility.
• - Reduced Surcharges: Customers will benefit from fewer surcharges, notably the absence of residential fees.
• - Wide Coverage: OnTrac Ground Essentials is set to cover over 75% of U.S. shoppers and reach 48 of the top 50 metropolitan areas in the country, all supported by OnTrac's operational capabilities.

Insights from OnTrac's State of Speed study indicated that consumers often prioritize shipping speed differently based on the types of products being purchased. The study highlighted that shoppers of discretionary items—such as affordable clothing and household goods—are far less likely to demand expedited shipping compared to buyers of items that are time-sensitive, like auto parts. OnTrac Ground Essentials provides retailers with a method to streamline their costs associated with lower-urgency shipments while still offering expedited alternatives for immediate needs.

"Our State of Speed study reveals how significantly shoppers' priorities shift depending on their purchase context," Ramachandran elaborated. "With our trio of services—OnTrac Express, 7-Day Play, and OnTrac Ground Essentials—we empower retailers to effectively engage customers across various consumer mindsets, catering to their needs for speed, precision, or savings."

Availability and Enrollment

As part of the 2025 peak season, select customers are actively piloting OnTrac Ground Essentials’ capabilities. Currently, there is an enrollment option for the early access program, which comes with a limited waitlist. Retailers and shippers are encouraged to sign up to secure their access ahead of the formal launch in early 2026. More details can be found at www.ontrac.com/ground-essentials.

About OnTrac

OnTrac has established itself as the go-to parcel carrier for last-mile ecommerce deliveries, assisting retailers and shippers in gaining a competitive advantage through faster transit times, lower costs, and extensive coverage throughout the United States. The delivery network of OnTrac spans over 70% of the U.S. populace across 35 states and Washington, D.C., rendering it a reliable alternative to traditional shipping services. With over 65 years of expertise, OnTrac remains a trusted collaborator for leading ecommerce brands aiming for enhanced flexibility and efficiency in their supply chains. For more information, visit www.ontrac.com.