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Why Back Loads Are At the Forefront of Transport Success

Author: Lisa Jeeves
by Lisa Jeeves
Posted: May 15, 2014

The business of transportation is diverse but rests on some basic essentials. Whether you work with cross country long-haul convoys, small van urban deliveries, or something in between, in essence you are taking orders, packing goods at your depot and shifting them out to their destination.

In this way, the core of haulage work lies in the outward journey to the given destination of any job. But the return leg is also very important. In fact, this homeward journey and the opportunities it presents a key to the success of your business.

Dead Mileage Kills

Anyone who works with cargo, whether they drive vehicles or manage logistics, understands the looming spectre of dead mileage. Likewise, they are aware of the boon of back loads. When, for example, a truck is undertaking a lengthy journey over hundreds of kilometres to deliver heavy equipment or goods, the fuel and time expended on this journey is of titanic proportions. Likewise the return leg requires virtually the same level of expenditure. You cannot always rely on the client to compensate for this leg since the vehicle is essentially empty. If you can fill it up for the journey, you'll be effectively eliminating dead mileage.

Double productivity

You should expect any client to adequately compensate you for your delivery and the expense of returning to your depot, but back loads will go further than that. They can essentially double your productivity. You are getting an extra client to pay for a leg that you would have needed to traverse regardless after your initial journey with the need to get your vehicle back to the depot. With this extra productivity you can plan for success; it allows you to reap a degree of reward that can be a primary factor in your business growth plan.

Trusted Routes

The nature of transportation means you rely on managing your routes well. You need to explore new routes as the market changes and your business adapts. But taking on back loads means you may find new routes that become trusted, well-travelled routes. Those long routes delivering heavy mining equipment or the sharp winding turns of inner-city deliveries that your vehicles have crossed time and time again with no cargo can, if managed well, pay dividends.

Broaden the Client Base

The use of back loads should be at the core of your business; you are taking a potentially costly and necessary expense and turning it into a fruitful and efficient source of income. But they are also valuable in introducing you to new clients. In time, you may find new work originating in the common destinations, and they in turn can become lucrative new partners in your business.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day back loads and jobs 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.

About the Author

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.

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Author: Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

Member since: Oct 18, 2013
Published articles: 4550

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