8 things to consider before choosing a national carrier

As the business community's preferred logistics partner with more than 100 years of experience, we know a thing or two about what companies look for when choosing a new carrier. Based on the experience we have gained, we list eight things you should consider before choosing a national carrier. Hopefully, it would make it easier for you to find the carrier that is best suited to your business.

1. Delivery requirements
Do you deliver to customers all over the country, or only in your local area? Do you need day-to-day delivery, or would you be satisfied with deliveries a few times each week? All these are something you need to figure out before examining the market.

2. Capacity requirement
Changing carrier is never cost-free, which is why you have to think long-term. For this reason, you need to consider whether the carrier has the capacity to allow you to grow as a company in the long term. Also, note whether the carrier can maintain the quality in peak periods.

3. Goods tracking
Being able to track your goods throughout the transport process creates transparency in your cooperation with the carrier and the relationship with your customers. Not least, it is perceived as good service by customers when they can see the current location of the goods and the time of their delivery. Therefore, be sure to find a carrier that can offer this option.

4. Care for the environment
Even though the transport industry never gets completely climate-friendly, you can still consider whether the carrier shows concern for the environment. Examine, among other things, what they are doing to utilise their vehicle fleet in order to avoid empty haulage, and how good they are at continually replacing equipment, so that it is most environmentally friendly.

5. Late pick-up times
You can benefit from finding a carrier able to offer late pick-up times. This means that your customers will be able to order late during the day, while you as a company have the opportunity to collect more orders. This gives you and your customers’ competitive advantages.

6. Time-definite delivery
With many carriers it is possible to order delivery for a fixed time interval or at a specific time during the day. It gives both you and your customers the opportunity to get the goods delivered at a time that best suits you during working hours.

7. Possibility of one-stop shopping
Several carriers are able to offer a wide range of logistics services. If, in addition to transport, you also need, for example, warehouse, crane distribution, delivery at night or courier service, you can find a carrier that can offer all these services. This makes your partnership more flexible.

8. Transport of dangerous goods
If you are shipping dangerous goods (ADR), please note that there are numerous rules and procedures that you must observe. You must, among other things, ensure that your carrier can handle dangerous goods according to the rules for small package exemption, marking, combined loading and documentation throughout the entire transport process.

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