When selecting a trucking company, business owners must consider several factors, the most important of which are price and dependability. Low-cost trucking companies in NC can help you save money on transportation, but if your products aren’t delivered on time and in good condition, the savings aren’t worth it. Overpaying for shipping, on the other hand, raises your overhead and forces you to accept lower profit margins or raise your prices.
Insurance and licenses
Examine the documentation of each trucking company to ensure that it complies with all licensing and insurance requirements for your type of cargo in all regions or countries involved. This is especially important for companies that transport unusual cargo, such as hazardous materials. If you are unsure about the regulatory requirements for trucking companies in your region or industry, contact the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation or your state transportation department. These resources may also provide access to safety records, allowing you to analyze and compare the driving records of various companies.
Interaction
The way employees of a trucking company interact on a personal level may have an impact on your decision. For example, when items are picked up for delivery, business owners prefer to deal with a knowledgeable, friendly, and well-dressed employee. An unfriendly or inadequate communication, on the other hand, can tarnish an otherwise excellent trucking company’s reputation.
Examine the Devices
If a trucking company’s fleet isn’t well-maintained, expensive delays are likely. If possible, go to the company’s headquarters to see if the operation is well-run and the equipment meets your expectations. Inspecting equipment is especially important when shipping perishables. For example, a faulty refrigeration compartment could ruin an entire food shipment. Even if your losses are covered by the company’s insurance, the resulting delays may harm your reputation with the businesses you supply. Pay attention to security protocols such as documentation requirements, driver access to cargo, and door locks when shipping high-value items.
Request References
Request references from trucking companies, preferably from business owners in your industry. Checking references may be the only way to determine whether or not a trucking company’s claims are true. Furthermore, previous customers, particularly those in your industry, may provide key insights that can help you determine if a trucking company will meet your needs. For example, another business owner may have been in your shoes and can explain how one trucking company outperformed others.
Tracking
GPS and RFID tracking technologies allow business owners to track their shipments as they travel. RFID, for example, transmits a short-range radio signal that enables a trucking company to wirelessly inventory the contents of a truck or warehouse. The results could then be uploaded to a private database that customers could access in real-time. Tracking can be an effective security measure if the trucking company uses RFID tags to ensure that only authorized drivers remove items from its facilities. If tracking is significant to you, ask trucking companies to explain how their monitoring technology works and how you can access the data.
Employ the best truckers.
If you need to hire a truck driver for your company, look for someone who is both licensed and experienced. The best truckers are critical to your success and represent your company’s brand. Job boards and social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor can be used to publicize your job openings.
Conclusion
Trucking companies range in size and provide a wide range of trucking job opportunities. When it comes to the cargo you haul as a truck driver, you have several options. A variety of trucking companies offer similar cargo hauling services.
FAQ
What are the names of trucking companies?
Freight companies are companies that specialize in the transportation (or “forwarding”) of goods from one location to another.
Which is the best semi-truck manufacturer?
Freightliner is the most popular semi-truck brand in the United States in 2019. Every truck driver has a favorite large rig, whether it’s a Freightliner, Peterbilt, or Kenworth.
How much does a truck driver earn per day?
A truck driver’s average pay per mile ranges between 28 and 40 cents per mile. The average driver drives 2,000 to 3,000 miles per week. On average, this equates to weekly earnings ranging from $560 to $1,200. You’d make between $29,120 and $62,400 if you drove for all 52 weeks of the year at those rates.
What is the market value of a used semi-truck?
Semi-trucks for sale in used or refurbished condition begin around $15,000 and can reach $100,000 or more. Like any other used piece of construction equipment, the price of a used construction truck varies depending on its age, condition, size, mileage, and features. A used medium-duty semi-truck costs between $20,000 and $40,000.
Why are truckers so well paid?
Truck drivers, unlike other fixed-wage jobs, are typically paid a flat rate per mile traveled rather than a flat rate for how long they work. Because of the ongoing truck driver shortage, some companies may be willing to pay a higher salary because of the high demand for Class A licensed truck drivers.
