Top 3 Ways a Freight Exchange System Can Increase your Profits

Although there is very minimal cost in signing up as a member of a busy and popular online freight exchange system, the economic returns—as testified by satisfied customers and haulage businesses—are much more than worth it. The following are the most powerful benefits in joining such a programme.

Turning ‘Dead Mileage’ into ‘Profitable Mileage’

The problem of most haulage companies, especially the newly established ones that are still trying to claw their way into profitability, is that their vehicles often do not have loads on the return trip. When a delivery vehicle unloads its cargo at its destination, it will still burn fuel and spent hours on the road in returning to the depot or headquarters. Such is fuel and time wasted. This is called ‘dead mileage’, and it was the common bane of haulage companies before the arrival of online freight exchange systems. These days, an internet-savvy haulage company needs only to sign up to be a member of such a website and they can immediately work proactively to fill up their return trips with profitable cargo, as much as possible. This is because most customers also use the same website in letting haulage companies know of their needs—load specifications, deadline, route, and what-not.

Vetted Members

Because members of the leading freight exchange systems have been vetted for character, professionalism and track record, most users or potential customers go directly to the site to engage in negotiations with available hauliers. The system of vetting minimises, if not totally eliminates, any risk of delays or unprofessional behaviour, which obviously benefits users in countless ways. On the other hand, for haulage companies looking to maximise their trips, they can use the site to maximise their cargo space utilisation as much as possible, especially on those often-empty return trips. What’s more, vetting is mutually reinforcing—it further strengthens the professional makeup of members as a whole, while enhancing not only the efficiency of the services provided, but also the general profitability of the businesses involved.

Incredible Professional Backup

The major online freight exchange systems boast of thousands of active members and more than 30,000 loads posted every month - you don’t have to actually sit down and do the math to see that immense potential of that much action. From the perspective of a haulage business, that means increased efficiency and profitability—you can easily find customers looking for haulage companies to transport their loads at the best rates and fastest routes possible. On the other hand, ordinary customers who run a business that relies on punctual transport of goods never have to fear the haulage company they choose may not be up to the task—aside from being fully vetted for professionalism, other members can also serve as emergency backup should one haulier fail to deliver. The bottom line is that you are never disappointed and your consistent business growth is assured.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for haulage work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.