When you are looking to transport your goods from one point to another, you need an FTL transport partner who is up to par with your expectations. For you to stay ahead in business, your goods must arrive in good condition and on time, and only a handful of truckload logistics shipping companies will exceed expectations. The last thing you want is for your shipment to be delayed because of a myriad of reasons that you cannot fathom. Even minor delays will translate to huge losses you cannot afford. To avoid these unwarranted mistakes, it is best to do vigorous due diligence on LTL freight companies before settling on one that best serves your shipping needs.

FTL Transport Excellence: Ensuring Reliable and Efficient Logistics Solutions

The following factors will help you in screening FTL freight companies to help you make a good decision.

1. Demonstrated Expertise in the Industry

As the owner of the goods, you know what services you need from an FTL shipping company. Make sure your transport company ticks all the boxes in your expectations list.

Do you need specialty freight services, intermodal shipping, or expedited shipping services?

You will find that not all companies have the capacity to meet all your needs because they are not proficient in all areas. Before engaging with the company, make sure that you communicate your needs to the letter and get assurance that the company knows all the sectors you need.

You can also get good first-hand information from a company’s website. From their website, you will be able to know the services that the company offers and for how long they have provided the services. The most customer-oriented truckload freight companies will post informational blogs accompanied by pictures. It serves to boost credibility as reading the blogs and seeing pictures of their employees executing tasks similar to your needs, will demonstrate their capacity and ability.

2. History of Customer Service and Proof of Reliability

Find out what other customers are saying about the company by reading reviews and asking around from previous customers. Due to the high profitability of the logistics and transportation industry, there are many players — all looking to get a slice of the profits. In 2015, the industry’s turnover of $1.48 trillion translated to 8% of the U.S. gross domestic product. As such, companies will go to great lengths to rack in more profits, and while some will increase their quality of customer service, others will cut corners.

However, the good thing about today’s business world is that news spreads fast, especially on the internet. From the reviews and comments on social media, you can tell if a company is worth its salt. Using your networks of other companies in the same business, you can get solid referrals. If your peers in the industry recommend a certain truckload freight company, you will have more confidence in selecting them to manage your goods.

3. Technological Advancement and Utilization

The logistics business is heavily influenced by technology, and companies that embrace technological advancement are always improving service delivery. A good FTL transport company will utilize technology to reduce the cost of operations. Remember that some of your goods will require special handling, such as refrigeration and air conditioning. Ensure that the company you select to manage your shipments has suitable technology systems for your specific needs.

The truckload shipping companies utilizing this system will be able to give you updated progress of your goods. As a result, you will have more peace of mind, as you can monitor the progress of your goods through the system.

Fundamentally, the quality of service, reputation, and capacity of a company will inform your decision. Once a company meets the bare minimum conditions, you can now consider and compare the pricing. You want to choose the company that you feel best about.