According to Research and Markets, the area of FTL (or Full Truckload of Transportation) will reach more than $525 billion by 2029. It demonstrates the rather strong development of the segment and its saturation with new players claiming their share of the market.
In addition to healthy competition, many offers of logistics services reduce the operational dynamism of business.
- Due to such tremendous variety, it is not so easy to pick a reliable provider with whom you will work on a permanent basis.
To make this task easier for you, we have prepared this post where we talk about the important aspects of choosing a logistics provider.
What is FTL Shipping?
FTL (full truck load) is a model of freight transportation in which you send your goods, materials, and equipment by direct flight to the destination. The advantages of this type of logistics include:
- Instant shipping. Since you load the car with your cargo only, you do not have to wait for consolidation and the moment when the trailer is 100% full.
- Fast delivery. The vehicle moves to the destination without visiting intermediate deconsolidation points, so the cargo arrives on time.
- Predictability. The theoretical delivery time of the cargo is almost always guaranteed, and the road risk depends only on external factors.
One of the disadvantages is the cost, but it also depends primarily on who provides you with 3PL services.
Do You Really Need an FTL or Full Truckload Carrier?
Full truckload freight means the movement of goods that fill 100% of the useful space of the truck. If you have similar shipment volumes, that’s good.
If not, you can try the LTL (Less Truck Load) model. It is a slightly cheaper way of transporting goods that take up little space in the truck.
In this way, the carrier consolidates several orders and rates them accordingly.
Choose Your FTL Shipping Carrier in Six Steps
FTL carrier organizations build logistics chains using their own fleets. There are many companies of this type, so choosing one of them can be a challenging task.
Use our following tips to find and deal with the best carrier.
1. Determine current business needs and FTL load potential
Full truck load services mean that you must provide the carrier with enough cargo to send the car to the destination. Make sure you can do it.
If not, select LTL to lower your costs and optimize delivery times.
2. Find companies that fit your goals
Full truckload freight is a sector with thousands of players, most of whom offer various services and additional models of interaction. Determine which features your business needs and search for potential performers based on priorities.
Most likely, you will narrow down your search to a few dozen offers, from which you will select your partner.
3. Evaluate the reputation and reviews of FTL carriers
Any FTL service is usually evaluated on profile portals and platforms by users, partners, and customers. They publish reviews, the typical time of delivery of goods, and the ratio of cost to quality.
Pay attention to service providers who have at least a year of experience and a positive rating.
4. Check available FTL Solutions
Full truckload shipping rates vary not only by state but also by the policy of logistics service providers. Therefore, evaluate the tariff grids in advance and determine whether the cost of transportation is suitable for you.
Note: Do not be tempted by too low rates, as you may lose in the timeliness of delivery and in the preservation of cargo.
5. Learn about the price-quality ratio of full truck load services
FTL logistics is a dynamic industry where the cost of services changes under the influence of various external factors. However, the relationship between quality and cost remains a constant figure.
Therefore, it is better to evaluate providers not only by tariffs but also by reputation.
6. Enter into a long-term contract with the selected FTL carrier
FTL transportation is a process you build throughout the entire business life cycle, so you need to build a solid relationship with your 3PL provider.
Work with one carrier as long as possible to get personalized offers and lower costs.
Why Should You Trust FTL Shipments to Hugo Hunter?
FTL delivery is a difficult and pressing task for any business. Except when your logistics partner clearly understands their role in the supply chain and makes every effort to optimize it.
Hugo Hunter is your reliable partner in FTL shipping. Cooperating with us, you get:
- Stable shipping and dispatch schedule.
- Timeliness of cargo delivery to the destination.
- Access to a powerful fleet with flexible payloads.
- Optimization of costs for the organization of chains.
- Cargo transportation and storage services.
Don’t hesitate! Feel free to contact the Hugo Hunter manager for a preliminary consultation.