As a business owner or a business manager, being able to negotiate and work with outside companies to the benefit of your business is a critical skill to master. Sometimes, working with specialized third-party providers can be more challenging if you aren’t sure about their role and what influence they have in the transaction or the interaction.
A good example of this is the use of truck load brokers. Many businesses rely on these professionals to arrange for carrier and freight services. This can be a very effective way if you are able to find the right broker that is working with your best interests in mind.
What is a Truck Load Broker?
Think of truck load brokers as the middleman between yourself and the trucking company. These professionals don’t own the trucks or hire the drivers; rather they connect the company (your business) with a freight service.
There is a real value in a company and a freight service working with a professional, ethical and successful freight broker. For the company, it provides the opportunity to have someone else track down the lowest rate and the fastest trucking option for a single load or an ongoing delivery requirement.
For the freight company, it limits the need to find their own customers while, at the same time, expanding their potential customer base. It allows the freight company to stay busy and have a steady stream of customers, which can provide the opportunity to offer better rates and continue to grow.
Know What You Need
Before talking to truck load brokers, it is essential to have a clear understanding of several factors. You will need to know the load weight or if it is a less than truckload shipment, the weight and the dimensions of the pallet or load. Additionally, it will also be important to know any special shipping requirements, such as temperature controlled trucks, as well as the allowable delivery window.
The more information that the shipper can provide to the broker, the more effective the broker can be in matching up the best freight company on service, capacity, and price.
