When Should You Consider To Hire A Shipping Company For Your Business?
It is said that freight forwarders are the ultimate personnel who can help in expanding the business. Let’s take a look at the true explanation behind this concept.
If your business is based globally, reaching out to clients often becomes an issue. Unethical part time freight forwarders often fail to reach in time and sometimes even damage the products. So when should you consider to hire a professional team of shipping and logistics?
In general, importing and exporting are key components for a number of businesses. They provide great opportunities and success in the industry while increasing brand recognition. However, these processes often require handling of various paperworks and regulations, both domestically and internationally. Therefore, this becomes a major problem for most business owners. When such complicated issues start arising, it’s good to hire a freight forwarder. especially when importing from China to UK, or other far off countries.
What to look for in a freight company?
When you choose a shipping company to outsource your business, make sure that they meet your requirements. This includes delivering the goods in time, maintaining a safe and secured environment (if the cargo needs to be stored). Special requirements involve having proper equipment and devices to load or unload overweight cargo, handling hazardous or sensitive elements like medicines and chemicals, etc.
Ensuring these vital features is crucial before you choose to sign up with the company. Professional freight forwarders can lead you to the tip of success while improving your reputation.
Introducing KPIs
Key performance indicators are important when it comes to hiring a shipping company. Generally people focus on the wrong one to minimise their investments. When choosing KPIs, make sure that they are relevant and include appropriate measurable goals that can be implemented later in the practice.
Let’s take a look at the most crucial shipping management KPIs that you need to evaluate and consult with the new shipping company.
Financial metrics
These are divided into two groups. There are some metrics that influence the sales and revenue of your business. Also, the financial health and performance of the shipping provider should be considered.
Some of the key KPIs to keep in mind:
- Outbound freight costs in terms of net sales
- Inbound freight costs in terms of purchases
- Transit time
- Accuracy in the freight billing
- Freight cost
- Number of handling points
- Utilising truck load
- Fleet time
- Choosing modes of transportation
- Tracking availability of each shipment
- On-time pickups
- On-time delivery
Transport companies play a major role in the global business where dealing with the customs and other regulations becomes an issue.