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 […]

A Carrier Questionnaire is a Key Component of a Quality Freight Bid

4 months ago

A freight bid is not just a tool to negotiate competitive shipping rates; it is an opportunity to identify and assemble a group of supply chain partners, valued business partners, to strengthen a shipper’s business. These business partners interact with a shipper’s customers every day. Carriers with reliable service facilitate customer retention and revenue growth. […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_dreamstime_xl_49902079_20190529-162845_1.jpg

Will Shippers and Carriers ever be able to Trust Each Other?

5 years ago

It is hard to believe that a decade has gone by since the Great Recession. Those of us in the Freight Transportation Industry at that time remember the sharp drop in business activity and freight volumes. This encouraged many shippers to conduct multiple freight bids during that period to use (abuse) their freight rate […]

Engage your Business Partners in your Supply Chain Decisions

6 years ago

Carrier costing models have evolved over the past couple of decades. Freight rates are based on the complete set of transportation-related processes at origin, in transit, and at destination, to serve each client. To effectively manage freight expenses, shippers must have a full understanding of all three elements. Shippers with weak shipping order procedures and […]

Time to Become a “Shipper of Choice”

7 years ago

In last week’s blog, I highlighted the tight freight capacity being experienced across North America (https://dantranscon.com/index.php/blog?view=entry&id=310 ), and that it is likely to continue for another year or two. For shippers that are experiencing shortages of trucking or rail equipment, there is a series of steps that need to be taken to prevent service […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_Stifel-2018-rate-increase-projections.jpg

Shipper-Carrier Collaboration is a Challenge in this Era of Tight Capacity

7 years ago

On October 11, my company co-hosted the 2017 Surface Transportation Summit with my partners at Newcom Business Media. I am very pleased to report that we had another packed house for what has become the premier educational and networking event in Freight Transportation in Canada. The day was again kicked off by one of […]

Select Quality Carrier Partners to Prevent Capacity Shortages in 2018

7 years ago

Economic conditions are solid as we approach the first quarter of 2018. Unemployment is low and companies are hiring. Demand for freight transportation services should be strong during the first half of the New Year. Shippers need to contend with a range of variables that are shaping the supply and demand for freight transportation services. […]

Natural Disasters Highlight Need for Supply Chain Risk Management

7 years ago

This has been a challenging month. Hurricane Harvey caused huge damage in southeast Texas and Hurricane Irma is expected to cause major damage to Florida and the east coast of the United States (as it did to several islands in the Caribbean). We should not forget the recent forest fires in British Columbia and California. […]

b2ap3_thumbnail_dreamstime_xl_49902079_20170829-134855_1.jpg

Shippers need to become more “Carrier Friendly” to Minimize Freight Rate Increases

7 years ago

As the long, slow recovery from the Great Recession continues, shippers and carriers have become used to modest economic growth. Demand for freight services has been steady but not robust. The muted demand for freight services has not put undo pressure on truck capacity; rate increases have been limited in recent years. This may be […]

Some New Year’s Resolutions for Shippers

8 years ago

As we enter a New Year, many people create a set of resolutions to burn off a few pounds, to quit smoking or to achieve whatever goals are meaningful to them. On a professional level, this is a time for smart shippers to set in motion a series of resolutions to improve their company’s […]