5 Benefits of Working with a Freight Broker

You’re looking to move a shipment but are unsure of whether or not using a freight brokerage is right for you. This can be a difficult decision, but it doesn’t have to be. At ATS Logistics, we’ve been operating as one of the nation’s top freight brokerages since 1989. During this period we’ve spent a lot of time answering people’s questions about freight brokerages. In this blog, we’ll outline the top five benefits of working with a freight brokerage so you can more accurately identify whether a freight brokerage is right for you. The top 5 benefits of using a freight brokerage are: The partnership you gain The convenience they provide The money you save The flexibility they offer The oversight they administer 1. The Partnership You Gain Since the dawn of time, relationships have been the foundation of good business. As such, the relationship between a shipper and its freight brokerage is sacred. For the broker, this relationship is a true partnership, forged in the hopes of reaching mutually beneficial pastures and staying there. To a good freight brokerage, this relationship is about more than simply maintaining their bottom line. Brokers who value partnership will focus on achieving their clients’ goals, meeting their deadlines and fulfilling their duties. For anyone needing to ship finished or raw goods, this relationship is equally as vital. Partnering with the right freight brokerage is important. This is especially the case in an industry where even the smallest fluctuation in service quality can cause costly delays that send ripples of disruption along your supply chain. Although these relationships can be as short as a one-off shipment, this is not often the case. A good freight broker will focus on fostering long-term relationships with its customers. These relationships are created, and maintained, on the principles of communication, transparency and trust. Simply having an ally in this complex and ever-changing industry can be a huge benefit to any shipper. By maintaining a relationship with a trusted freight broker, you’ll have a resource to turn to with any concerns or emerging needs. Answers to questions regarding the best practices for the shipment of your freight and price fluctuations in the market are easy to access. Related Content: The Ultimate Guide To Freight Brokerage (What You Need to Know About Working With a Freight Brokerage 2. The Convenience They Provide One of the key selling points of working with a freight brokerage is the convenience that comes from having a partner in this industry. With more than 700,000 shipping companies in the U.S., it can be difficult to know exactly which one will fit your needs. A good brokerage knows that you simply don’t have time to sit down and meet with multiple carriers for your shipment. At the same time, they recognize you only want to do what’s best for your business. With this understanding, a freight brokerage can step in and help. Not only do the larger freight brokerages know the industry inside and out, but they also leverage a wide network of carriers. Carriers that have already been vetted for: Reliability Insurance and permit requirements Track record Areas of expertise Leaning on your partner brokerage’s pre-vetted network of carriers will make your life easier. Get back the time you’d normally spend vetting carriers and planning your shipment’s journey since this is the primary function of your brokerage. Some freight brokerages even provide the capability to track your shipment online. This is a great example of transparency at work in these partnerships. As such, you’ll love the peace of mind you receive from the recognition that your freight is in capable hands, working for you. Using their extensive knowledge and heavily-tested abilities to move freight, partnering with a brokerage sparks convenience. 3. The Money You Save At the end of the day, you should only enter into business relationships that are either going to save you time, make your life easier or save you money. Partnering with a reliable freight brokerage has the potential to do all three for your business. Using a freight brokerage can, and will, save you money in several ways. Transport Industry Expertise One of the main jobs of a freight brokerage is to monitor the transportation market. As a whole, this market is often subject to price volatility, making it difficult for an outsider to know what the “best price” is for a shipment. This is where a freight brokerage can help. A good broker will stay knowledgeable of the latest price fluctuations in the industry. When used correctly, this expertise will lead to the procurement of the best possible price for your situation. For example, the shipping industry is subject to large supply and demand fluctuations every year due to changes in the season. Throughout the year, some areas of the U.S. become “hotter” than others. This is typically due to a certain product coming into season and an increase in the number of trucks equipped to haul that product. Having a freight brokerage in your court can help you avoid any price spikes happening in those “hot zones.” Carrier Options A large portion of a freight brokerage’s efforts are focused on maintaining their relationships with the carriers in their network. Larger freight brokerages have entire departments dedicated to doing just that. Because of the constant upkeep that goes into these relationships, freight brokerages get to know their carriers very well. Because of this familiarity, freight brokerages understand the exact amount of price elasticity each of the carriers in their network possesses. This knowledge, coupled with their understanding of your needs, helps to ensure the best possible price. These brokerages can pinpoint the best carriers for you, no matter the equipment type (link to trailer types blog) your situation calls for. This ensures that your freight is properly handled, and your pocketbook properly cared for. Mutually Beneficial Partnership When it comes to maintaining your bottom line, having a brokerage partner you trust is crucial. It’s safe to say that mutually beneficial relationships you