Create a Robust Routing Guide at the Completion of a Freight Bid

5 months ago

After the final round of freight bids have been submitted and analyzed, it is time to prepare a routing guide. This important document contains the preferred carriers by mode, by lane, and their approved rates. The contents of a routing guide can be entered into a shipper’s TMS system to guide the carrier selection process. […]

How Frequently Should a Company Conduct a Freight Bid?

6 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 […]

Conducting a Freight Bid – Should We Do It Ourselves or Seek Outside Help?

7 months ago

As outlined in previous blogs, most companies conduct a freight bid to achieve certain objectives. These may include saving money on shipping costs, upgrading the quality of their carriers, and/or improving service. Success can be measured in terms of a reduction in freight expenses, higher on-time service, greater customer satisfaction, or other metrics. To achieve […]

Why are Large LTL Trucking Companies such Attractive M & A Targets in 2021?

3 years ago

In the first seven months of this year, we have witnessed two of the largest acquisitions in the LTL trucking sector in many years. In January we observed the acquisition of UPS’s LTL division by TFII, the large Canada-based transportation conglomerate. Last week the nation’s largest TL carrier, Knight-Swift Transportation (NYSE: KNX,) acquired AAA Cooper […]

New Year / Same Challenge: Finding Truck Drivers

4 years ago

As we begin the new year, trucking companies throughout North America are facing the same challenge – – – finding qualified truck drivers. There are several forces shaping the supply of drivers. The coronavirus is making drivers sick and some have not come back; the virus is also causing older drivers to retire. A surge […]

The Truckload Freight Industry in North America in 2019

6 years ago

There are approximately 540,000 truckload carriers registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the United States. These range from 1 truck to 20,000 truck fleets. The majority have less than 20 pieces of equipment in their fleets. These companies generated approximately $350 billion in revenue in 2018. Revenue/Tonnage Growth in 2018 Here […]

The Truckload Freight Industry in North America in 2018 – “Maybe the Best Freight Market we have ever seen”

6 years ago

The truckload sector of the freight industry is different from the LTL and small parcel segments in two significant ways. Unlike the other two segments, anyone who can buy or finance the purchase of a tractor-trailer unit and can drive the rig, can enter the industry. Freed from the requirement to build cross-dock facilities […]

Will the ELD Mandate trigger a move to Precision Trucking and Increased Profitability?

7 years ago

The implementation of the FMCSA’s ELD mandate in the United States on December 18 was one of the most anticipated milestones in the history of trucking. The introduction of electronic logging devices is the latest attempt by the FMCSA to improve road safety and minimize road accidents in the United States. Driver fatigue is […]

Trying to Solve the Driver Shortage? – Try Paying them a Salary

7 years ago

Recruiting and retaining qualified drivers has been a challenge for several years. Many young people do not wish to spend so many hours away from friends and family. The Hours of Service and ELD mandates make the job more difficult from a work enjoyment and compensation perspective. They cap the number of hours a […]

The Truckload Freight Industry in North America in 2017

8 years ago

The truckload sector of the freight industry is different from the LTL and small parcel segments in one important respect. Unlike the other two segments, anyone who can buy or finance the purchase of a tractor-trailer unit and drive the rig, can enter the industry. Freed from the requirement to build cross-dock facilities and/or buy […]