In a context of internationalization of trade and with the boom in e-commerce, the transport sector is facing many challenges. Faced with a plethora of supply and ever shorter delivery times, how do you adapt? Our article gives you the keys to finding a reliable carrier .
Finding a reliable carrier: an essential condition to remain competitive
Finding a reliable carrier and choosing your logistics provider carefully is essential to meet the needs of professionals , but also of consumers. The TIMCOCOM transport dictionary defines a carrier as follows: “ a carrier is a company that transports goods to their destination for commercial purposes. »
Indeed, the carrier is a transport professional , whether he is responsible for transporting goods or people. Some carriers are specialized to meet the requirements of certain sectors of activity: it may be a question of transporting dangerous goods, for example. Depending on the sector of activity, the specifications and the type of services required vary greatly.
What is the role of the principal?
The principal, or seller, must write the specifications, pay for the transport service Arizona Freight Dispatching Services and find the carrier corresponding to his needs . In the era of globalization, disputes in the freight transport sector are on the increase. However, the seller is required to deliver the goods, according to article 1603 of the Civil Code .
Thus, finding a reliable carrier is an essential requirement for a successful business. An efficient supply chain is based on well-defined collaboration between the various transport players.
The role of the carrier in the transport of goods
The carrier of goods or contractor is essential in the logistics sector : it is the professional most sought after by companies. The missions entrusted are varied, they can be carried out on national soil or on an international scale.
It is the carrier’s responsibility to transport each item without causing damage and within the contractually defined deadlines . The carrier must also check the apparent condition of the goods and their packaging before transport.
The different modes of transport in the logistics sector
The modes of transport are very varied:
- The land route, with rail or road transport
- Transportation by air
- River or sea transport
- Multimodal transport, which combines several modes of transport
Road chartering involves using the services of a carrier , most often by truck. This TIMOCOM guide focuses on chartering methods in RFT (road freight transport), and more specifically in the context of delivery between professionals.
The modalities of the TRM
In this type of RFT operations, the goods are called freight: the sender sends his freight to a consignee, via an intermediary. The intermediary has a fleet that he makes available to the sender .
The carrier is then responsible for responding to these requests by respecting various criteria. In addition to the transport order, a contract for the carriage of goods by road (or CMR) must be drawn up. This document is legally referred to as the ” consignment note ” and includes the clauses that the carrier must honor , such as:
- Compliance with delivery deadlines
- Delivery terms
- The object of transport: the number of packages or goods
- The obligations
- The weight and volume of the goods to be transported
- The price of the service and benefits
Direct contact vs. freight exchanges: what to choose?
To get in touch with a carrier, the charterer has the choice between the traditional method of direct contact, or the use of a freight exchange . The direct contact method has become somewhat obsolete in the context of the digitalization of road freight transport . When a charterer comes into direct contact with a carrier, the exchanges take place via traditional means of communication such as telephone, fax or e-mail.
Traditional contact is time-consuming, which is why it is preferable to use an online freight exchange, which lists vehicles and international freight offers on a daily basis . In addition, the use of a freight exchange makes it possible to manage several searches simultaneously and to have access to a wider network of carriers.
The different steps to find a reliable carrier and control its logistics
To find a reliable carrier, the following points are essential:
- Use a freight exchange
- Define your needs
- Compare the offers of transport companies
- Use dedicated software
Discover below all the keys to finding a reliable carrier who will accompany you in your freight transport operations.
Use a freight exchange
A freight exchange gives you access at all times to a platform putting carriers in contact with charterers. Carriers benefit from these types of platforms because they help find new prospects and customers .
In addition, the use of a freight exchange makes it possible to optimize journeys, avoiding running empty. Charterers also benefit from the use of freight exchanges, as these platforms allow them to compare prices and choose the most competitive carriers that meet specific needs.
Define your needs
To define your needs beforehand , it is advisable to examine the following points:
- In the event of tight delivery times, is the carrier able to offer express delivery and deal with emergencies?
- Does the carrier operate internationally?
- What is the carrier’s level of customer satisfaction?
- Does the carrier use subcontracting?
Compare the offers of transport companies
By using the TIMOCOM freight exchange, users can consult nearly 800,000 international freight and vehicle offers per day. Thanks to an extensive network, it is possible to find a reliable carrier at the best price.
To achieve better turnover, the carrier takes care to optimize transport flows . Thus, the situation is advantageous both for the contractor and for the client. A transparent cost calculation and well-defined specifications beforehand allows you to carry out your operations and avoid disputes.
Use dedicated software
If the choice of transport is the first step in determining its needs, the use of specialized software such as SCM (Supply Change Management) for supply chain management and TMS (Transport Management System) are decisive for managing , optimize and automate all transport-related tasks.
Efficient transportation software allows you to maintain complete visibility of your supply chain while optimizing the transportation plan and associated costs. The data obtained can guide your decision-making on many essential points, including the choice of the best carrier for your business.
