Is it Time to Conduct your Next Freight Bid?

Is it Time to Conduct your Next Freight Bid?

8 years ago

A little over a year ago, I wrote a blog entitled “How do you know when it is time to conduct a freight bid?” (http://www.dantranscon.com/index.php/blog/entry/how-do-you-know-when-it-is-time-to-conduct-a-freight-bid ). In that blog, I outlined a set of general conditions that shippers can use as a guide to reach this decision point. Half way through the first quarter of […]

Shippers, Watch Out for Unprofessional Freight Bid Service Providers

8 years ago

The subject of online freight bids and internet freight auctions came up a few times at the Surface Transportation Summit that took place in Toronto on October 13. The carriers that raised this topic spoke of the high volume and poor quality of bids that have been hitting the transportation industry this year. One […]

LTL Shippers Need Effective Strategies to Address Rate Increases

8 years ago

Some large LTL carriers have announced rates increases this fall. Old Dominion, XPO Logistics, YRC Freight and UPS Freight have all declared 4.9 percent GRI rate increases on non-contract LTL freight that took effect in September. In survey after survey, shippers have claimed that cross reductions are their number one priority. How can these two […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_dreamstime_xl_31478542_20160826-151328_1.jpg

In this Period of Declining Freight Rates, Shippers need to be Smart, not Greedy

8 years ago

During this period of modest economic growth and ample capacity, freight rates have been in decline. This is confirmed by the various market indices that track freight rates. Lower energy prices that have translated in lower fuel surcharges have also helped keep freight rates in check. The data also indicates that some shippers are […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_Sample-Routing-GuideV1_20160429-193844_1.jpg

A Lack of Routing Guide Compliance Dooms Many Freight Bid Projects

9 years ago

Many shippers don’t achieve the cost savings they expect from their freight bid exercises. This can happen despite the time, energy and costs that go into these projects. Based on our work with shippers over the past twelve years, these are the main reasons why this happens. A Failure to Provide Full Disclosure of Requirements […]

Now is the Time to Conduct your next Freight Bid

9 years ago

As everyone knows, it is very difficult to time the stock market. While we are all aware of the old adage, “buy low and sell high”, in reality, this is not easy to do. When it comes to freight rates, it is sometimes problematic to select the right time to put a company’s freight […]

Freight Carriers – How to Achieve Success with Freight Bids – Part 2

9 years ago

In my last blog, I outlined a set of tips to help carriers achieve greater success with Freight Bids. Here are a few more. Put your best foot forward early in the process We observe both incumbent and new carriers hold back on their pricing to see where they need to be at the […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_Request-for-Proposal_20151111-142444_1.png

Freight Carriers – How to Achieve Success with Freight Bids – Part 1

9 years ago

Freight Bids or Freight RFPs have been around for over two decades. Every year we hear comments about their imminent demise. Unfortunately for many motor carriers, this is wishful thinking. While these exercises are often detested by freight companies, they are popular with shippers across North America. Why? When well done, they provide the […]

Final Reflections on Freight Bids

9 years ago

Freight bid projects have become one of the most commonly used methods of sourcing freight transportation services over the past two decades. They have become popular with shippers for obvious reasons. When done well, they produce good results. Manufacturers and distributors can strengthen their supply chains by selecting a dedicated group of professional transportation companies […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_dreamstime_xl_26836881_20150702-141216_1.jpg

Freight Bid Tip # 11. Conduct Ongoing Performance Review Meetings with your Carriers

9 years ago

Monitoring carrier performance is an ongoing process. Some trucking companies will track performance for new shippers with a heightened level of intensity for a designated period of time and then revert back to old habits or standard service levels when the shipper’s focus is no longer there. Every shipper should understand that there is no […]