Making Connections and Staying Organised in the Haulage Industry

Making Connections and Staying Organised in the Haulage Industry
By Norman Dulwich

 

Driving all over the place delivering goods for several clients

on one trip? Many drivers in the haulage industry must complete

transport contracts with complex routes and delivery

requirements. Groupage - the combination of several transport

contracts on one trip in order to maximise the usage of space -

and return loads - picking up goods at your first destination

and returning with them to your point of origin - can really

make delivery a confusing and complicated task. However, with

proper organisation you can make the most of your time, fuel,

and vehicle's cubic capacity.

Making Connections

With each completed contract, you're making a business

connection, and a single delivery contract can become a more

long-term relationship. This connection might give you regular

contracts which can become easier and easier to schedule as you

become familiar with the route, clients, and the repeated

contracts. Be sure to stay in touch with your clients, as you

never know when they might need to have goods transported which

would fit in conveniently with a delivery route you already

have.

Keeping up these connections makes it easier for you to secure

contracts for groupage or return loads. Create a mailing list

where you (occasionally) let customers know about routine trips

that they can participate in at a discounted rate, and be sure

to treat each contract with regard and consideration. No one

wants to feel that their contract is considered unimportant

because they are part of a groupage agreement or return loads.

Staying Organised

Create spreadsheets of each client who has hired you for a

transport contract. Be sure to include location, volume of goods

transported, dates of contract (or several contracts), and to

where they have needed goods shipped. Even if you're contacted

for a shipment but are unable to take on the contract, be sure

to include the information (such as delivery location) so that

you can better understand the needs of your potential clients.

That way, next time you're heading up that way and to a

destination likely to be of use to a client on your list, you

can contact them to let them know that you'll be travelling that

direction and that you can offer them a discounted rate for

including their goods on your trip. This is a great way to

increase groupage contracts, return loads and of keeping in

contact with customers.

Another great way to stay organised is to create an electronic

wiki map of regular routes that you take and make this publicly

accessible on a website. Potential clients on this route with

smaller loads might then be more likely to contact you for

delivery. Have your own private electronic wiki map (not

accessible to the public on your website) where you map out all

your past and current clients.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the

world's largest neutral trading hub for same day haulage jobs

and return loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over

2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together

through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe

'wholesale' environment.

No Fuel Duty - Good News!

No Fuel Duty - Good News!
By Norman Dulwich

 

There are many ways in which hauliers can plan for a more

efficient business. Securing return loads to avoid empty

journeys is one of them. But there is no doubt that reduced fuel

duty has a big effect on every business in this industry.

There was good news to this effect at the beginning of December

this year, as the Chancellor announced he was cancelling the

proposed 3% rise earmarked for fuel duty that the previous

Labour government had planned some time ago. This clearly came

as a relief to all those working in the industry, as it means

the money spent on fuel will not go up as was previously feared.

Will this good news last?

This is the one area that hauliers are worried about. Although

the cancellation of the planned 3% fuel duty rise is now agreed,

it does not mean there won't be other rises further down the

road. While hauliers try a number of tactics to ensure their

businesses are as cost effective as possible, return loads being

an essential part of this strategy, they have little to no power

over fuel duty. They must withstand the rises in duty when they

come, and hope for reductions whenever they can.

Indeed, many in the industry were praying the Chancellor would

actually reduce the level of fuel duty currently being paid,

rather than just cancelling the planned rise that was to occur.

While there is widespread relief at the announcement, there is

still a feeling more could potentially have been done to help

the industry.

How big an effect could a reduction in fuel duty have on the

haulage industry?

Hauliers cover thousands of miles a year, over and over,

carrying all manner of loads and return loads to make money. As

with any business they must think about reducing their costs

wherever they can.

Fuel is a large cost that cannot easily be adjusted - after all

you need fuel to run the vehicles. Return loads make journeys

more profitable than an empty journey would be, but there is

still the question of fuel to pay for at the end of the day. The

cancellation of the increase in fuel duty will come as good news

for the industry, but it only means that companies will remain

in the same position they are in now. It would be better to be

able to look forward to the potential of a real reduction from

the position we are in now, but perhaps this is a little too

much to hope for at the moment.

We shall have to wait and see whether the Chancellor has any

such move in mind when the real Budget is presented next year.

There is plenty of time to go until then, so let's hope for good

news in 2013.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the

world's largest neutral trading hub for same day haulage jobs

and return loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over

2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together

through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe

'wholesale' environment.

Do Return Loads Have a Marked Effect on Our Carbon Footprint?

Do Return Loads Have a Marked Effect on Our Carbon Footprint?
By Norman Dulwich

 

The haulage industry is responsible for transporting both outgoing jobs and return loads every day of the year to and from all manner of destinations. Most companies will do everything they can to run a cost effective operation, which is why return loads are a desirable alternative to running a lorry or trailer home empty.

One area in particular that has come under close scrutiny in recent times is that of carbon footprints. As most people are becoming aware, a carbon footprint relates to the amount of carbon dioxide that is generated by an activity. This doesn't just apply to the haulage industry, but the industry does come under close inspection due to the number of vehicles travelling large distances to transport all manner of items around the country.

So the question is whether carrying another load on the return from a delivery is able to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the industry as a whole. Just how does this work?

Does your company have a carbon footprint?

The short answer is yes - all companies do, even those that are not in this industry. But some companies have much bigger footprints than others. Indeed it is fair to say companies that don't have a return loads policy probably have a larger footprint than those that do.

But how does taking a load back to your starting point reduce carbon emissions?

If you look at this from the wrong angle it is easy to miss the point. Let's say you want to drive a job up to Manchester from the London area. Your lorry needs to return to London anyway so it is still travelling the same number of miles regardless of whether it has goods in it on the way back or not.

But think of what happens with cargo that needs to be taken from Manchester to London on the same day you are returning to the capital. If you return empty, it means another lorry has to go out on the road, creating more CO2 and contributing to the footprint of that company. However, if you agree to taking these return loads back with you, only one lorry will be on the road instead of two. Your CO2 emissions for that journey will be the same, but you may find other companies who can handle jobs for you that you would otherwise have to go and deliver.

In short, the industry as a whole can vastly reduce its carbon footprint when more and more haulage companies take on this idea of delivering each other's backs on a regular basis. It makes the entire industry a lot more efficient and able to contribute to the overall reduction of CO2 emissions created in the UK today. All of which is extremely good news for everyone.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day haulage jobs and return loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Haulage Tips - Taking Precautions in the Winter Months

Haulage Tips - Taking Precautions in the Winter Months
By Norman Dulwich

Well it's that time again when we all put some extra layers on and take precautions to ensure we stay safe and warm on the roads. Whether you're taking return loads back to where you started out from, or transporting cargo to another location, you need to spend that little bit of extra time ensuring you have a safe load to transport.

Shouldn't you be doing this anyway?

Yes - it should go without saying that properly securing your return loads is one of the most important things to do as a haulage driver. But the winter months are known for throwing a few extra challenges your way. Think of ice and, God forbid, snow for example. It means there is far less margin for error and therefore it is even more important to ensure all cargo is properly secured. And that means not hurrying when you are loading up the lorry.

The truth is that no matter how good a driver you are, anyone and everyone can be caught out by black ice or a slippery patch on the road. If you are experienced you will know how to correct a slide on the ice without panicking. But it is another matter entirely if you have a huge cargo behind you that has a mind of its own.

In this situation, even the smallest slide on ice can turn into a large one if your cargo shifts the weight of your vehicle in the wrong direction. This can be exacerbated if the goods on your return loads are not firmly anchored down.

It's worth checking twice for peace of mind

This is why we would advocate double-checking each cargo before you drive off with it. How secure is it? How safe would it be if the lorry were to slip ever so slightly on the road? You may be eager to get back in the cab and in the warm, but those couple of extra minutes performing one or two additional checks on those return loads will be very well spent. You wouldn't rush off when setting off with your regular cargo jobs so don't rush just because it's a back load.

It is also wise to remember that any journey made during the winter months - at least when we have wintry weather to go with them - will take longer than it would otherwise. Make sure this is accounted for when planning movements and deliveries, so as to minimise any issues or delays. It is usually better to account for delays in advance during the winter so you don't get caught out.

Regardless of how many journeys you make or what cargo you carry, you can see the importance of taking extra care on the roads during colder weather. Having well-secured cargo does not completely get rid of the possibility of a mishap, but it certainly contributes to you having done everything you can to stay safe. And that has to be good news both for you and other road users.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day haulage jobs and return loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Haulage Tips - Advantages of Utilising Return Loads

Haulage Tips - Advantages of Utilising Return Loads
By Norman Dulwich

 

Here's a fact everyone in the haulage industry will know - every trip costs money. That's why it is so important to look for return loads so you don't spend money moving an empty vehicle. If you want to know the advantages of this practice, read on. We've got the answers for you.

Return loads mean you can earn more money

It's obvious you will be spending money on fuel for each leg of your journey. This seems fair enough when you have a load to take from A to B. But if you are going from B back to A again and you have nothing to transport, you will be paying for the journey rather than making money from it. However if you can take cargo back with you, this cancels out this particular problem.

Since you have this issue to contend with, it is plain to assume every other haulage company has the same one. Thus it makes sense for everyone to work together to benefit from this practice.

These return loads provide you with the ability to make every journey count

One of the issues in the haulage industry is the problem of empty journeys. If someone needs you to carry cargo from near your base in, say, Southampton and take it up to Harrogate, it leaves you far away from where you need to get back to.

However if you can look for as many return loads as you can, you can vastly reduce the number of journeys you end up with where your vehicles are empty. While it may take a little extra effort to manage this, you will make far more money if you do - and more importantly, waste less.

You can do your bit to help reduce the carbon footprint of the haulage industry

In many ways this is the most promising area of all. Let's say you have cargo to transport from London to Bristol. This is approximately 120 miles depending on the exact route you choose to take. If you drop off the load and then return empty, you will be using a lot of fuel to drive an empty lorry. Doesn't it make more sense to make the most of that journey and transport cargo for someone else instead? This means fewer wasted journeys and more effort towards reducing the carbon footprint.

As you can see, the importance of looking for cargo to carry on your return journey each time cannot be underestimated. Indeed this is actually a superb way for the haulage industry

Auto Painting And Dent Removal Services Will Make Your Car Appear New

Auto Painting And Dent Removal Services Will Make Your Car Appear New
By Sooraj Surendran

After using a car for a long time its color may appear dull and you may find it necessary to repaint it. However, in order to repaint a car you need not take it to the garage as you can even paint it at your own house. For car painting a few basic steps need to be followed and a wide variety of materials are needed. The steps include:

?Choosing a suitable place to work: You will require a place equipped with features like excellent ventilations, electricity, good lighting, minimal dust and space to position the vehicle. Water heaters or furnaces are generally avoided in such places

?Assemble all the materials required for the purpose: The things that are needed for the work include: Paint sprayer, Power sanders, Sanding pads, Air compressor, Masking tape, Paper, Primer, Paint, Thinner, Dust masks, respirator, eye protection, Body fillers and Hand sand paper.

?Paint the car: Before starting the painting job you have to repair the dents so that painted surface looks even. For this you can visit a garage which provides dent removal services.

1.For painting a car you first have to remove the rusts from the surface of the car so that the rust does not become visible when the task is done.

2.Remove the body panel moldings like plastic trim or chrome which can be replaced later.

3.Cover the surface of the car that is not to be painted with the help of paper and masking tape. It includes covering the glasses, door handles, window trim, grills and mirrors.

4.Then you have to remove the previous paint so that the bare metal becomes visible.

5.You should clean the entire body surface thoroughly. You can use denatured alcohol or mineral spirits for the purpose. Make sure no oils adhere to the surface of the car.

6.After this, use a primer on the surface. After priming your car, let it dry for some time and then you can apply the paint according to your choice.

?Spray the finish paint: The final paint is prepared according to the directions devised by the paint manufacturer company. Automotive enamels and some kinds of polyurethanes provide better performance with a catalyst or a hardener.

1.Allow the paint to get fully dried and adhere to the surface strongly.

2.Rub the sand paper on your car to get rid of any sand particles or granular substances.

3.You can use a rubber compound to bring out the gloss. This technique is normally done manually as they can completely ruin the paint job if not handled properly.

These are the basic steps to get your car painted. So if you want to give your car a new look, follow these basic steps plus some basic safety measures and you will be amazed to find out that you too can be an expert in this work.

Having A Certified Transmission Shop Diagnose Problems Will Save Money

Having A Certified Transmission Shop Diagnose Problems Will Save Money
By Shane Hester

Transmission trouble is one of the toughest dilemmas you, as a car owner, can ever encounter with your four wheel drive. Just like any other things, transmissions quality deteriorates overtime especially if there is no proper maintenance done for it. However, with your intervention, overdue damages can be prevented and your car transmission will be maintained in its good condition. This particular car part plays a very essential role in the mobility of the aforementioned transportation means. That is why the piece alone and the service fee for the repair are very costly. With this, you should be very careful with their car transmission to avoid spending too much on one particular car problem.

The Importance of Addressing Transmission Problems at the Early Stage

Transmission problems can cause the total unserviceable condition of the car. This state usually takes place especially if you took the early signs of the problem for granted. That is why; it is always advised that if early symptoms are detected, it is best that you take it to a certified transmission shop and have it repaired right away. It may cost you some money but it will not be that costly compared to the service fee for big transmission damages. In other words, having it checked right away will enable you to save a lot of money.

Having early signs of transmission ordeal serviced right away will also save the overall quality of the aforementioned car part. It will help lengthen its life and as well as strengthen it to prevent future damages. Having it serviced also will ensure that your transmissions will be thoroughly cleaned because automobile mechanics also executes cleaning to make sure that your transmission is good place. Sometimes, the cause of transmission problems is the lack of cleaning and the presence of unwanted debris on the automobile system. This way, you can be assured that you will not have transmission problems in the near future.

The Importance of Having Transmissions Checked in a Certified Transmission Shop

There are several reasons why you should have your transmissions checked in a certified transmission shop. First, with these kinds of shops you can be assured that your transmission problems would be addressed appropriately. This is because these shops are being manned by the best auto mechanics that were well trained and were tested through the years of experience. And they got certified after passing a certain qualifying examination that made them eligible for the job.

Second, having transmissions repaired in certified transmission shops can actually save you a lot of money. Because of their ability to have everything repaired efficiently, there is a very slim chance for you to have it fixed again. Having transmissions fixed several times is sure a waste of good money especially that this kind of repair is very costly.

If you think that your car has a diagnose transmission problem Sarasota FL has several great shops that can help fix that before it's too late. Being one of several affordable transmission repairs Sarasota can provide you with the excellent services of Ralphs Transmission to ensure that your car is properly an professionally taken care.