Category: logistics

Involving Drivers In The Freight Logistics Process

Posted on November 23, 2010 by - ”small trucking company”, 2290, business minded, Express2290, freight, freight logistics process, involving drivers, logistics, small trucking companies, truck driver, truck taxes

Featured Blogger
Benjamin Bellville

Involving drivers in the freight logistics process can be a great way to boost your overall effectiveness when it comes to moving freight and customer relations. Many small trucking company owners don’t understand that this is a process that begins with the hiring of their drivers. First I’m going to show you some things to look for in employees that you will want for your company, then I will outline the ways you can involve them in the freight logistics process and the benefits it will afford your company by doing so.

Driver Hiring Criteria
When you are going to involve your drivers more in the day to day operations decisions you will need to look for a certain type of driver. Just because a driver has a clean driving record and good recommendations does not necessarily mean they are the driver for you and your approach. Here is what you should look for in the interview process.

  • Are they business minded?
  • Do they have strong organizational skills?
  • Do they have great communications skills?
  • Do they look professionally presentable?
  • Are they experienced in trucking company operations?
  • Do they know how to use a load board and book freight?
  • Basic computer skills?
  • Are they safety and compliance minded?
  • Do they believe in driving fuel efficiently?
  • Can they perform basic mechanical tasks?


This is just the tip of the iceberg here, and will be dependant on just how much responsibility you want to give your drivers over time. Important to remember is that many truck drivers choose to drive for small companies because they are made to feel like they are more a part of the process and that what they think matters. This type of approach fosters confidence in your company and has a higher retention rating than just treating them like another number in a truck.

If you feel they may just be inexperienced in the industry but are business minded enough to train then by all means give them a shot. Sell your company as a building ground for drivers to build their own business within your business while providing them all of the tools and help they will need to some day branch out on their own. Include them daily in the freight logistics process as by involving drivers you will be shocked at what they are truly capable of. After all they are the ones with the real road experience who have a better idea of what it takes to get freight from point A to B that someone in an office has to guess at.

Teach them how to be your eyes and ears and as a group your company will virtually run itself. Why more companies don’t understand this I will never know. They treat drivers exactly the way they are stereotyped in the news and by society, how does this make a driver feel good about working for you or make them truly care about your business success?

I hope this week’s freight logistics posts have given you much food for thought and an idea of how to approach this topic when you start your company or how to make things better in your current company. Of course this has just been some highlights meant for a basic understanding, it’s up to you to unlock the approach that makes you most comfortable and that you feel provides you the best chance of success.

Did you know that when you start a trucking company you need to file for your HVUT taxes before you can obtain your IRP? Why not let Express2290 show you how they can save you money with fast electronic filing.

Freight Logistics for Beginners

Posted on November 18, 2010 by - “freight logistics for beginners”, ”beginners logistics”, ”small trucking company”, ”start a trucking company”, ”trucking company”, freight, freight logistics, logistics

Featured Blogger
Benjamin Bellville
When you go to start a trucking company it is important to understand freight logistics for beginners as this is the core of a trucking operation, whether a one truck operation or a multiple truck fleet. Logistics is defined as the management of the flow of goods, information or services from the point of creation to the point of consumption. Freight logistics simply put is the process by which you will get the goods from point A to point B, but entails much more than just driving the truck. Let’s take a look at all of the operations that will make up your freight logistics daily process.

1. Management – managing yourself, other drivers or employees to make sure that all the cogs in the wheel are rolling together properly.
2. Booking Freight – making contracts for direct freight or finding loads from brokers on load boards.
3. Dispatching – properly assigning the load to a truck that can get the freight there in a timely and compliant manner.
4. Safety and Compliance – ensuring that all company operations follow federal and state guidelines for safety and compliance, as well as keeping the company files stored properly up to code.
5. Accounting – keeping proper records of accounts receivable and accounts payable.
6. Transporting Goods – driving in a safe and compliant manner while making sure to be on time with agreed to scheduling for pickups and delivery.
7. Customer Relations – building strong relationships with brokers, shippers and receivers as well as any businesses you work with to maintain other aspects as mentioned above.
8. Mechanical Upkeep – making sure your equipment meets guidelines set forth by federal and state regulations, keeping it looking presentable and professional.

Perhaps the number one reason that many one truck operations fail quickly is that they are started by a former owner operator who is used to someone else performing all of these tasks for them and they neglect one or more of these steps when they operate their own company. You have to be able to wear many hats as an independent trucker and have the time to dedicate towards the cultivation of all areas.

It can seem overwhelming at times to find the time to put towards each task as much of your time is spent doing the transporting of goods and you also have to have proper rest so you can be safe behind the wheel. In order to accomplish this you need to be able to kill many birds at a time rather than doing each separate. Multitasking properly is something you should be good at before you even consider starting your own small trucking company.

In my next blog post here on Express2290 I will be getting into ways in which you can make freight logistics for beginners more manageable to optimize your time and your business image so be sure to come back and check it out.

Introducing Featured Blogger: Benjamin Bellville

Posted on November 17, 2010 by - Benjamin Bellville, blog, logistics, start a truck, Truck Tax, trucking

It is our distinct pleasure to introduce our new featured blogger – Benjamin Bellville.

With more than a million miles under his tires and 11 years of experience as a company driver, owner operator, and fleet owner, Benjamin writes with a wealth of experience.

Over the last year, Benjamin has quickly gained recognition as a prominent blogger in the transportation industry, sharing his tips, tricks, and information with the millions of drivers already on the road – and those still dreaming of their first set of keys.

Stop by often to read Benjamin’s blogs on topics affecting the world of transportation and the industry today. From compliance and regulations to the vital basics of trucking operations, Benjamin will keep you informed and on the road.

For more information about Benjamin and his other work, check out his articles on HubPages, BlogSpot, his new personal site StartATruckingCompanyBusiness.com, and as always, right here on our ExpressExcise Blog. You can also follow Benjamin on Twitter at BenjaminB35.

Thank you for stopping by and let’s keep it safe!