Hiring a carrier
You need something transported, do you just call the first trucking company or broker you find? What should you do? Before you contact a carrier or broker be ready to provide lots of information and be ready to ask lots of questions.
Basic Shipment Information needed:
Origin & Destination: (location, hours of operation, contact info)
How big of a truck can the O&D handle.
When is the shipment ready?
When do you want delivered?
Commodity?
Quantity: Pallets, cases, and weight.
Product on pallets, slip sheets, or carton clamped.
Dimensions of pallets (Length, Width, Height)
Special handling equipment required to load or unload: IE; Lift Gate, Pallet Jack
Value of shipment.
Temperature Requirements.
Trailer requirements IE: air ride suspension, swing doors, e-trac
Questions to ask and get in writing:
Carriers USDOT number.
Safety record of carrier (it’s Federal law you check, you cannot pass that responsibility on). If you ship with a broker, you are still required to ensure they are hiring a safe carrier. Link: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/
Does the truck have Elogs / GPS?
Does the trailer have GPS and reefer temperature tracking?
Cargo Insurance / Cargo value limitations….. (rates typically aren’t set by value)
Reefer Breakdown insurance?
Recommendations / Words of Wisdom:
Develop a relationship with a safe, compliant, eco-friendly and socially responsible asset-based carrier.
Have a signed transportation contract on file.
Utilize the carriers web site to input shipments requests and the technology they provide to help you operate your business.
Obtain annual Certificates of Insurance.
Always insure your inventory when in transit.
Knowing that you hired a safe, compliant, eco-friendly, socially responsible and insured carrier may cost you a few more pennies per bottle, but it will save you in the long run.
-RT