| In business, one of the areas in which companies are | | | | loads can also join these match making Direct Freight |
| consistently trying to control cost in is their | | | | shipping sites. They pay a minimal fee to gain access |
| transportation and shipping cost. It is imperative to | | | | to a database which shows the freight available for |
| be aware of the different shipping methods available | | | | shipping. They can provide information about their |
| in order to be competitive in today's market place. | | | | particular company, their equipment, and their drivers. |
| Direct Freight is an excellent way to control cost, | | | | The trucking company then essentially bids or comes |
| otherwise known as freight rates or pricing. | | | | to an agreement with the manufacturer on the |
| In the freight transportation business, the terminology | | | | particulars of shipping their items. The clients needing |
| of "Rate" and "Price" basically mean the same thing. | | | | to ship their load can decide which trucking company |
| Rate is determined by how quantity or weight of the | | | | offers the services and equipment that they need. |
| load being shipped, the quality or risk of the load, and | | | | Loads as small as one pallet up to and including |
| negotiated contracts. Obviously, how far and how | | | | 35,000 tons can be posted. This service is very |
| much a company ships would affect the shipping | | | | valuable because it encourages competition. When |
| price; however, with LTL shipping the product being | | | | companies compete, then there is often price savings |
| shipped also matters. In LTL loads, if a product is | | | | that follow. Another benefit of this service is that a |
| highly fragile or hazardous or requires special | | | | company does not have to pay to ship an entire |
| attention, the shipping rate will be directly affected. | | | | truckload, if they do not have that much inventory |
| For these reasons, finding a freight company that is | | | | to move. They can also examine the shipping |
| best suited to the individual company that is shipping | | | | company and decide which company is offering them |
| their products is a necessity to keep cost under | | | | the services and pricing that they require. |
| control. One way to do this is using Direct Freight | | | | Likewise, trucking companies can manage their loads |
| services. | | | | and optimize their profits by coordinating shipments. |
| Direct Freight is a method of matching clients that | | | | With an ever more competitive environment, freight |
| need their products shipped to drivers and shipping | | | | companies are using various methods to stay |
| companies willing to transport their materials at very | | | | competitive. Not to mention, higher fuel cost mean |
| good rates. There are websites designed that will | | | | that every mile is important to the trucking company. |
| facilitate in matching companies to shippers. The | | | | Understanding freight rates is only half of the battle |
| company wishing to move their load can join the site | | | | to making shipping cost effective for any business. |
| to list their freight. They enter specific details such as | | | | The other factor is being able to benefit from |
| what types of goods are being shipped, how much, | | | | competition between the shipping businesses. Clients |
| and the transportation destination. While many | | | | that need trucking services can easily list their freight |
| trucking companies prefer to carry full truckloads, | | | | and then receive an acceptable offer or lower cost |
| there are plenty who will do LTL shipping. LTL | | | | by utilizing LTL shipping. The same service also |
| shipping can save small companies from the expense | | | | greatly benefits many trucking companies because |
| of filling an entire truck shipment to haul their load. | | | | they can see which freight is available and where |
| Drivers and trucking companies looking to pick up | | | | they need to go. |