Haulage Tips - Top Reasons to Secure Return Loads

Every single day throughout the haulage industry, drivers are delivering their cargo and then picking up return loads. This is the cargo a driver can collect while en route back from making the original delivery. Without this cargo in place, the driver would be running back with an empty vehicle – and losing a whole lot of money in the process.

Let’s explore some of the benefits of this kind of cargo.

It makes good financial sense

If you drive a lorry from A to B to deliver goods, you then have to return that lorry back to point A again. The only problem is the lorry will be empty on the return journey. This is where return loads come in useful, because it means you won’t be coming back empty. Instead, you can make good use of the trip to ensure you make the best financial return possible – you'll be earning for a trip you have to make, regardless.

The money earned from such cargo also offsets the fuel costs for making that trip back to base. While fuel costs will be borne in mind when issuing a quote for a delivery, you cannot continue to raise prices every time the cost of fuel increases. If you were to carry on doing this your customers would seek cheaper services elsewhere. So this kind of cargo is a financially smart solution.

Help offset your business’ carbon footprint

Much talk is made nowadays of the carbon footprint of every business. This doesn’t just apply to the haulage industry, but it is obvious the industry does have a big impact in terms of the size of its footprint.

By taking return loads back to base (or nearby) instead of constantly returning empty, a business can take a big step in the right direction when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint. Many customers will choose businesses based around their green credentials. It makes sense to ensure yours are as good as they can possibly be. By choosing to secure this kind of cargo instead of passing it by, you’ll not only be enhancing your financial position, you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment.

It makes sense to secure return loads as often as you can. If you can do this you will be able to earn more for your business and raise your profits as a result. If you have yet to start using this strategy you might be surprised at how much healthier your business will be financially once you do start using them. The margins can be tight in the haulage industry, so every step you take to improve them is a step in the direction of bigger and better success and profits in the future.

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