How to Successfully Implement the Results of a Freight Bid

3 months ago

Some shippers believe that once all the bids are in, the routing guide has been prepared, and the carriers have been notified of their awards, the freight bid exercise has been completed. This explains why many manufacturers that conduct these projects are disappointed with the results they achieve. Success does not take place automatically. There […]

Analyzing the Results of a Freight Bid – Part 2 – The Carrier Meeting

4 months ago

After analyzing the completed carrier questionnaires, and the bid rates, it is time to eliminate those carriers that don’t meet expectations in terms of service, coverage, rates, and other key variables. It is also the time to identify a short list of potential bid award winners to discuss their proposals in more detail. This blog […]

Analyzing the Results of a Freight Bid – Part 1

4 months ago

There comes a time during each freight bid when the full package (the shipping characteristics documents, fuel surcharge formulas, accessorial charge template, pricing instructions, carrier questionnaire, key milestone dates and data entry tools) is sent to a designated list of asset-based carriers and non-asset-based transportation providers. At this stage, it is valuable to arrange a […]

How to Select the Right Carriers for a Freight Bid

4 months ago

Selecting the right mix of carriers is a critical step in the execution of every freight bid. Creating a critical mass of carriers, in terms of quantity and quality, has several benefits. First, it ensures that the shipper is engaging with companies that can become strong business partners at the end of the process; these […]

How Frequently Should a Company Conduct a Freight Bid?

5 months ago

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our shipper clients. Here is our perspective. The Forces that Shape our Views on this Subject For 20 years, during my early years in the transportation industry, I led asset-based carriers and non-asset-based freight broker organizations. My colleagues and I were on the […]

Shippers Need to Prepare for Rising Freight Rates

5 months ago

Freight expenses often represent 2 to 10 percent of operating expenses. For shippers seeking to maintain stability in their freight spend, they should begin preparing their next freight bid or freight RFP project. An RFP allows shippers to negotiate multi-year agreements with a team of dependable business partners. These agreements can be solidified with annual […]

It’s Freight Bid Season Again

12 months ago

Shippers across North America are in the process of conducting their annual or mini freight bid exercises. What is in store for shippers and carriers this year? This is a unique year. The supply/demand curve shifted during the early stages of Covid. Consumers transitioned to working from home, cut back on travel and dining out, […]

Mini Bids can be a Key Tool in Finding Capacity this Fall

4 years ago

Shippers throughout North America are trying to cope with the tight freight capacity that has been driven by Covid-19, truck and driver shortages, freight embargoes and the surge in eCommerce activity. While many manufacturers and distributors conduct annual and bi-annual freight bids, this methodology is proving to be too static and rigid for shippers experiencing […]

How do you know when it is Time to Conduct a Freight Bid?

9 years ago

Recent stock market and currency value declines in China and Canada point to a challenging year ahead for the economies of these two countries and many others around the world. While the United States has remained fairly stable amidst current world turmoil, its high valued currency may slow exports to its key trading […]

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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 […]