7 Must-Do Things for Your Trucking Company
Bringing goods and products from one place to another is more than just an industry. It’s also a fundamental requirement for any large-scale human society. That is why having a trucking company is such an excellent idea. The demand for shipping and transportation of goods is not likely to shrivel up any time soon, and will almost certainly increase as online shopping strengthens its grip on the American economy. In order to take advantage of these favorable conditions, it is crucial that your trucking company is properly managed. A slew of poor decisions and a lack of adequate planning could doom your business to an early grave. Here are the seven things you simply must do to operate a successful trucking company.
Secure Government Authorization
The first step to launching a trucking company is to become fully authorized by the government. If you fail to secure the necessary permits and authorizations, then your business will be illegal. You’ll need to apply for identification numbers from the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Getting insurance for your vehicles is also a must. Once you have finished with these administrative steps, you can move forward with your business.
Establish Relationships With Shippers
Like any business, a trucking company depends on relationships with clients. In this case, your customers are shippers and brokers. You need to reach out to potential clients in person and on the internet, thereby developing the relationships that will come to sustain your business.
Prioritize Fuel Efficiency
As you would expect, fuel is one of the principal expenses in the shipping industry. You’re in the business of hauling loads from one place to another, a job that is only possible by burning fuel. With this in mind, you should make fuel efficiency a priority from the get-go. Saving money on fuel is one of the best ways to cut costs and boost profits. Choose a vehicle with the best mileage possible, and take advantage of savings cards and rewards programs to secure the best deals available.
Invest in an EDL
Electronic logging devices collect data directly from your engine’s diagnostics system, giving you real-time updates on your engine’s health. This can come in handy on the road. Imagine getting a notification on your dashboard ; just drive to the first workshop and get things fixed quickly and effortlessly.
ELDs also offer a wide range of improvements:
Manage fuel and maintenance costs
Real-time visibility into fleet
Improve driver safety
Improved reporting
Maintain safe and reliable vehicles
Longer vehicle life spans
Higher customer retention rates
Increased driver satisfaction
Eliminate employee fraud
Reduce labor costs
Hire Office Staff
Trucking involves a lot more than racking up the miles on the open road. From contacting clients to managing costs, the logistics of the enterprise are substantial to say the least. That’s why it’s so important that you hire office staff. If you try to do it all on your own, you’re likely to find yourself in over your head.
Carefully Track Expenses
In any business, good bookkeeping is essential to long term success. If you don’t know how much you’re spending to keep your company in operation, then you’ll have no idea how much money you’re actually making. Track all expenses so you know exactly where your business stands. This is the type of work that a back office staff can assist you with.
Equip Trucks With Tarps
Building a successful trucking company is all about maintaining a good reputation. In this industry, nothing sullies a business’s name like the delivery of spoiled or damaged goods. As long as a load is in your possession, it is your responsibility to keep it in pristine condition. That’s why tarps are so essential. Water can do irreparable harm to all sorts of products, so you need to do everything you can to keep it out. Tarps might be simple tools, but they go a long way toward keeping the elements at bay.
Always Hire With Precaution
When hiring drivers, be sure to carry out scrupulous background checks. Drivers carry immense responsibility for their vehicles, their loads, and the safety of the other people on the road. As long as they’re behind the wheel, they’ll be representing your brand and your company. That’s why it is so important that you only hire applicants who have experience, proper certification, and an impeccable record.
