Selecting the Right Freight Forwarder - By Brad Hollister

CHICAGO, IL

It truly is very crucial to find the perfect freight forwarder for the success of your company's supply chain. Speed often defines the success and effectiveness of your organization's supply chain. The following are suggestions from http://www.freightaccess.com to assist your corporation to choose the most beneficial options for shipping freight with freight forwarders.
Initially a company should examine your own practice of transportation before discussing with any sort of logistics professional or truckload carriers. Your organization might have to contemplate a number of aspects which include shipment volume, quantity, etc. How will your cargo move… by way of truck, ocean, rail or air? Your ocean shipments at the beginning may possibly be container loaded or be break bulk or very heavy freight. If your business really want to send your product by way of air freight then it could be done through passenger aircraft or through main-deck configuration, but this solution might be fairly costly. A person may also move your freight via truck or van. Your business have to be very clear concerning the expectations of your organization. Your company must clearly define the logistic requirements and describe your business' goals and objectives in all distinct proposal request.

You shouldn't leave the negotiations on prices solely on the traffic department of your firm. Your organization really should provide your abilities and understanding about internal departments like, marketing, information systems, purchasing and finance. Also, your business should really involve the senior management to review the procedures. For obtaining the best result, your firm will need to adhere to the internal values of your business. Your business also know all the capabilities and resources available. Look at the way each carrier performs together with the domestic and international offices? Should the freight broker have the necessary resources of handling all situation which may arise? All of these questions are critical. Your organization might decide upon such a carrier who will decrease your company's freight damages, saves your time & money by finding cheap freight. Any damage claims which may arise might be taken care of in an expedious fashion, with out requiring organization resources.

Lastly, decide on freight forwarders with substantial carrier and freight broker relationships. These freight forwarders should find freight carriers which will ultimately help reduce costs and provide your company with cheap freight. Although these brokers may be utilizing loadboards to find freight and empty trucks, it will absolutely assist you to reduce supply chain expenditures and leverage the relationships of current freight professionals to your benefit.

Brad Hollister
Director of Business Development
http://www.freightaccess.com
The World's Marketplace for finding loads, cheap freight, and freight quotes for shippers, carriers, owner operators, and logistics professionals.

Important Decision: Choosing the Right Carrier for Your Company.

In the fast moving World of freight and logistics, choosing a less-than-truckload (LTL) provider is actually the essential choice a broker will need to make. Ltl carriers that fully understand the variables impacting the cost of goods delivered and the general client satisfaction can mean the distinction between selecting profitable business or ruining your business.

Clients cherish carriers that manage pickup and deliver times, keep consistent transit times, in addition to produce great customer support. Several elements to take into account are Consistency, Trust, and Customer Service.

Consistency:
Every load may possibly determine the longevity of the client relationship. Delivering a small percent of shipment delayed can certainly mean a 100% fiasco within your customer´s eyes which can surely find freight services which meet his expectations. Ensuring you choose a service provider that keeps a strong consistent history dramatically decreases unforseen risks.
Inquire into your carrier's transit times and direct service points. In Less than truckload its usually much better for freight go through the the very least amount of locations attainable to avoid needless problems, and so extensive systems gain because of these rules.

Broad, single-network coverage together with the particular highest number of direct delivery points is certainly the most effective choice for your cargo. This additionally elevates customer satisfaction. Whether your shipments demand a overnight, or a long-backhaul solution, a single simple telephone call, together with a single delivery from the ordinary driver, tends to make doing business easier.

Trust:
Project your expectations. One ought to not be held hostage between selecting dependability or speed. Selecting that Ltl carrier that can supply both is absolutely essential in today´s aggressive market place.
Search for a freight carrier with superb safety records. Incidents plus delays over the road will signify severe delays pertaining to your company's LTL shipments.
State logistics associations often observe and release service provider safety records, this is a excellent area to make sure you have chosen the perfect trucking company for your shipping needs.

Customer service:
Once a consignor has options in Ltl load carriers, he will probably need for you to take a look at the trucking company's customer service. The shipper should investigate precisely what to anticipate coming from the partnership with his trucking company.

One more element of service for you to look into is the visibility of account specifics and accuracy of bills. Find out if shippers get to ask about their particular freight's status, or will they have the capability to track it online 24/7? Investment in Online platform can today keep a frequent trace of your own shipment and will be an gauge of your Freight carriers motivation to it´s consumers. The Freight industry is a capital-intensive business. In order to provide useful solutions, carriers should continually invest in infrastructure such as freight handling tools, and new trucks, rigs, tractors, flatbeds, vans, rgns, and trailers. Old equipment implies unexpected issues can come up at any moment. An Less than truckload carrier along with an extraordinary investment record is an Less than truckload carrier that will not put your shipments at risk and will support a consistent work relationship from which both shippers and carriers benefit.

Brad Hollister
Director of Business Development
http://www.freightaccess.com
http://www.bradhollister.com

Article about tips in hiring the best LTL Carriers. Brad Hollister - Director of Business Development, www.freightaccess.com.

As Transportation Equipment Sales Spike, has the Supply Chain and Logistics Horizon Calmed, or Does it Remain Rough?

CHICAGO, IL:

Trailer orders of Dry Van Trailers recently have erupted as truckload companies and less than truckload carriers have begun to realize an increase in earnings from recently tightened capacity. The ACT Research Company mentioned that purchases for Commercial Dry Vans have been upwards of more than 102% in June of 2010 in a month which historically is a slow month for trailer purchases.

A number of analysts believe that capacity had hit bottom for truckload carriers and LTL carriers during February 2010. This rebound in transportation and logistics has rocketed truck Van Trailer sales around 165% year to date for 2010. Reefer Trailers have not encountered the volatility that Dry Van Trailers had and Reefer truck trailers are up 5% this year to date over 2009.

The spike in trailer sales has definitely followed by the raise in spot market pricing and transportation profitability for all carriers. Many truckload carriers, ltl carriers, and owner operators have simply parked trucks and much of their equipment has been taken off of the roads and relocated over to rig parking lots. Capital expenses have been meager at best the last number of years so some analysts are convinced this most recent increase in equipment demonstrates carrier profitability and fleet reinvestment.

While many transportation and logistics professionals are excited about the recent news, others remain skeptical of a long-term recovery for the trucking industry. Brad Hollister, Business Development Director for Freight Access, Inc. (http://www.freightaccess.com) commented that “A long term recovery may be difficult to sustain. The smaller carriers, owner operators, and other logistics professionals do not have access to available credit required to sustain a wide-spread recovery. These recent spike in equipment sales is a reflection of large companies not only running lean for so long, but much of this recent capital expenditure may be postponed equipment replacement which did not happen during the last 24 months.”

Many trucking companies and owner operators have decided to park their fleet as availability of capacity neared its highs in the fourth quarter of 2009 and first quarter 2010.. With capacity tightening this equipment will undoubtedly find its way back onto the roads and highways so that capacity will once more regain a market generated equillibrium. “Even though 2Q 2010 has been a welcomed surprise, there are still many risks to a long term recovery which does not have access to available small business capital,“ said Brad Hollister.

Hollister believes that a combination of newly purchased equipment and renewed dispatching of existing fleets will balance out the current opportunity which exists in the industry, in the upcoming months. Analysts should be cautious about seeing the large carriers purchasing equipment as a definitive sign of direction of industry recovery. Until the sentiment is shared across firms of all sizes, the market will have obstacles to overcome before a recover can be declared.

By Mark Friend, July 23, 2010

Freight Access, Inc. http://www.freightaccess.com is a Wisconsin Corporation. To contact Brad Hollister, Director of Business Development, call 312-450-3020 or bhollister@freightaccess.com.