Your Guide to LTL Shipping, Part 1: Four Qualities Your LTL Trucking Service Should Have

As you enter a new business quarter, you find that your list of customers has grown and, along with it, the amount of product you need to ship out. Your company prides itself on quality and speed, but you begin to wonder how your current shipping solution is going to keep up with your growing business. If traditional carriers just won’t meet your business’ needs any longer, it’s time for you to consider LTL trucking in Minnesota.

LTL stands for “less than load” shipments, meaning shipments that are small enough not to require a full semi trailer. LTL shipping services are a convenient and cost-effective way to ship loads that can no longer be reasonably shipped by a traditional carrier. There are a lot of benefits to choosing LTL trucking in Minnesota, including low costs, faster shipping, reduced likelihood of damaged goods and a strong rapport with customers. However, if you’re new to the world of LTL trucking, you may be uncertain what to look for. Here are four qualities every LTL trucking service should have.

Experience

As the old adage goes, nothing beats experience. When looking for an LTL trucking service, look for one that has experience not only in years as a company, but also with different types of freight. An experienced company will be able to provide you with an LTL shipping model that will minimize the handling of your goods, reduce costs, reduce shipping times and prevent your goods from getting damaged.

Insurance

Having insurance may seem like a given, but you would be surprised how many trucking companies operate without the right insurance to protect their customers. An LTL trucking service should have an insurance provider to protect their customers from any losses due to an accident or damaged goods. In addition, some goods, such as certain electronics, require that your trucking company have special insurance coverage, so be sure that your LTL trucking service has the right coverage to carry your specific goods.

Good track record

A good track record is essential when looking for an LTL trucking service. A good track record says a lot about a trucking company; it means that the trucking service has had minimal or no accidents, uses good drivers and makes reliability and timeliness a priority. You can actually check the track record for most trucking companies on DOT.gov. You can even find an overall safety rating for the companies you are considering.

Recommendations

Finally, an LTL trucking service should have a good rapport with its customers. Ask around about local companies for LTL trucking in Minnesota. Chances are, other local businesses use or have used similar services and can make recommendations about trucking companies with whom they’ve had a successful relationship.

If you’re looking for an innovative and cost-effective way to meet the shipping demands of your growing business, LTL shipping may be the perfect solution. Just be sure to do your research and be smart when choosing your LTL trucking service. For more information about what we can do, get in touch with K-Way Express, Inc. today.