How the Best Freight Carriers Keep Evolving To Meet Current Market Needs

When the truckload market favors carriers there is more freight available than trucks to move it. In these conditions, carriers have the luxury of choice and can be very selective about what loads they will move. Shippers that implemented a ‘shipper of choice’ strategy and historically treated carriers well are more likely to get to their loads covered.

As shippers compete for available capacity, market rates rise. With an abundance of high-paying freight available, new hauliers enter the market and existing trucking companies reinvest profits in their business, buying more trucks and hiring more drivers. This capacity growth continues until the scales tip, and there are more trucks available than freight to move. Rates begin to fall and available freight begins to shrink. Eventually, the tables turn and now shippers have the luxury of choice–and they want to work with carriers who provide excellent service.

As a carrier, there are ways that you can make yourself more appealing to shippers to get better, more consistent access to loads. Here are a few steps you can take today to stand out from your competitors as a ‘carrier of choice.’

Preferred Carriers Do:

Approach Business Flexibly

With more hauliers competing over less freight (relatively speaking), getting the exact load you want can be more challenging than normal. The good news: Coyote Logistics has loads from more than 1,000 shippers available every day—work with your Coyote rep to find alternative options. If you have recently expanded your fleet, changed your lane preferences or diversified into new equipment types (i.e. flatbed or refrigerated trailer), make sure your rep understands the current state of your network so he or she can source opportunities. You may not always be able to get your first choice, but we can work on a strategy to keep your trucks moving.

Find Loads Faster with Coyote Technology

With Coyotelogistics.com you can access our load board from the convenience of your computer or smartphone. That means you can submit offers and book loads without having to call your rep first, giving you faster access to available loads.

Use Tech Tracking to Your Advantage

Having driver location visibility while the shipment is in transit is quickly becoming the industry standard. For shippers, it is not an exception, it’s an expectation. Carriers who track electronically will have an easier time getting freight than those who do not.

Get Dedicated

Running dedicated lanes can be an easy win for everyone involved. You know where your truck is going week after week, and the shipper doesn’t have to worry about getting their freight covered. Talk to your rep about lane opportunities today.

Think Long Term

Think beyond your next load and plan for long-term success. The truckload market is always changing; sometimes it favors shippers and other times it favors you. Focus on establishing long-term customer relationships based on mutual benefit—regardless of market conditions. If you maintain your service levels and keep rate increases reasonable in a tight market, a good shipper will be far more likely to protect your volume and rates in a loose market.

Preferred Carriers Don’t:

Miss Appointment Times

Shippers want their freight to be picked up and delivered on time, every time. This is an obvious point that’s true in every market condition, but it is especially important when there is intense carrier competition for available loads. Shippers do not have to tolerate carriers that consistently miss appointments when capacity is plentiful – and they won’t.

Under Communicate

Think you’re going to be late for a delivery? Contact your rep right away so we can give the shipper a heads up. In transportation, stuff happens, from traffic jams to blown tires. Most people will be understanding if you keep them in the loop instead of showing up three hours late without notice. A little proactive communication goes a long way.

Bounce Loads

If you say you’re going to move a load, do your absolute best to move it. In a loose capacity environment, shippers pay extra-special attention to bounce percentages. Carriers who repeatedly fall off of loads will face an uphill battle convincing customers that they’ll do better on the next one.