Now is the Time to Conduct your next Freight Bid

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 […]

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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 […]

Freight Bid Tip # 10. Implement Robust Compliance Tracking Processes

9 years ago

Some shippers operate under the misconception that once the bid awards have been made, the RFP process has been completed. This is not the case. There is another critical step that can “make or break” the bid process. It is absolutely essential, particularly in multi-plant companies, to have a process in place, immediately upon implementation, […]

Freight Bid Tip # 8. Perform a Market Test with New Carriers

9 years ago

As the freight bid process comes to conclusion, there is an urgency to award the business so the shipper can begin enjoying the cost savings that were achieved. While this is understandable, it is important to keep several things in mind. First, if business is being awarded to new carriers, they need to come up […]

Freight Bid Tip # 2. – Obtain Accurate Product Descriptions and Density Calculations

9 years ago

In an RFP, the carriers are being asked to bid on specific types of freight moving on specific traffic lanes. The rates they quote are based on the freight descriptions that you provide. It is essential that all aspects of the freight be documented in sufficient detail so as to ensure the quotes received are […]

For Truckers, 2015 should be the Year of Yield Management

10 years ago

As we approach the end of February, most truckers would acknowledge that this is a good year for the North American motor carrier industry. Business volumes remain strong, in fact stronger than they have been during the first few months of prior years. Supply and demand remain in pretty good balance. Capacity is tight as […]

Shippers – “You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate”

10 years ago

This year, major freight carriers have been seeking general rate (GRI) increases, higher fuel surcharges (at a time when energy prices are at their lowest levels in years), accessorial charge rate hikes and the implementation of dimensional LTL pricing. In other words, shippers, particularly in the small parcel and LTL sectors are facing a barrage […]

As Fuel Surcharges Decline, Shippers Should Not Be Complacent in Managing Freight Costs

10 years ago

Here are few statistics to consider. On June 27, 2014 a barrel of crude oil cost $107.26 U.S. On the same date, a gallon of diesel fuel cost $3.91 in the U.S. or $1.35 per liter in Canada. The cross-border (Canada/U.S.) fuel surcharge was 20.1 percent on LTL, 47 percent on truckload. Last week, the […]