7 Lesser-Known Trucking Company Services
You may think you know
what a trucking company
does. These companies haul items from one place to the next. However, you may
be surprised to discover that most companies' range of services is more
expansive. Here are the seven services you can seek from a trucking company.
1. You Can Hire Companies for Standard Hauling
Hauling is the service most commonly
associated with a trucking company. With a hauling service, you can hire the
company to transport items from one location to another. In most cases, these
shipments must traverse across significant areas of the country or throughout a
specific region. Shipments may require an entire truckload of space, but some
companies will also offer shared shipping services to streamline their services
and mitigate your costs.
2. Most Companies Provide Equipment Rental
In addition to shipping, you may be able to
hire a shipping company for equipment rental. In other words, instead of hiring
the company for comprehensive service, you may be able to hire the company for
the use of its shipping equipment. Trucks and other shipping equipment are
quite versatile, and for some people, the problem is not about lacking the
experience or desire to do the work. Rather, they simply do not have the
resources to do the work on their own. Therefore, they work with a truck company
to rent the equipment, save the cash and do it themselves.
3. Ask the Company About Local Delivery Service
For most truck companies, the focus is on
moving items across large swaths of land. However, you may be able to work with
the company for local shipping and delivery. In these situations, the company
will work on a local circuit. This is typically defined as 100 miles or less.
For small, regional companies, this kind of service is absolutely critical. Ask
your truck company about the possibilities.
4. Consider Pursuing Warehouse Service with the Company
Another service you may not expect from a
truck company is warehouse storage. However, when you consider what a shipping
company does, this one actually makes a lot of sense. Truck companies need a
lot of space to store their fleet and equipment. They also need space to store
goods for clients as the shipping process unfolds. Therefore, the companies in
question may provide such warehouse space to you for an affordable monthly fee.
Be sure to bring up the possibility the next time you work with a truck
company.
5. Talk to the Company for Brokerage Options
There are a lot of truck companies out there,
which means that there is ample competition. Competition is not just about
taking clients from one another. Competition is also about working on different
routes or parts of the country. In these cases, your preferred truck company
may simply not offer service in a location you request. That does not mean that
the company will be unable to help you. Instead, the company may offer
brokerage options. With brokerage options, the truck company will make sure
your shipment arrives as planned through another carrier.
6. You May Get Dedicated Fleet Service
If your operation is larger and contains
valuable or sensitive items, you may not want to share your shipping service
with other clients. Therefore, talk to your company about the possibility of a
dedicated fleet. When you contract with a company for a dedicated fleet, you
are ensuring that the trucks, drivers and equipment are specifically reserved
for you. This can add security and streamline your shipping times for superior
service overall.
7. Request More Personalized Service Options
The options do not have to stop there. You can
always talk to your truck company about more catered service options. You may
be able to request specialized shipping services with tailored delivery and
transportation options. If you are interested in saving money, the company is
likely to have service options to match. If you are worried about security,
talk to the company about additional protection or insurance possibilities.
Many truck companies are oriented around customer needs, and they will probably
match your requests.
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