Freight forwarding services are a key to a successful supply chain. The industry is of no relevance here – freight forwarders form an integral part of any logistical process. Therefore, if you are a business reliant on freight forwarders, it becomes important to choose the right company. To find the suitable company for your needs, you should follow a systematic process of decision-making. An elimination method can also be followed in order to land the right freight forwarder.
It is crucial to identify the goals you have before hiring a freight company. What you want to achieve in the end should be what you build your requirements around. Well, without any further chatter, let’s get into it – 7 tips on how to choose the best freight forwarders in Melbourne.
Freight forwarders in Melbourne – making the right choices
A city such as Melbourne provides a certain level of infrastructure for industries located within its borders. Therefore, there is a standard that all businesses automatically follow. It is different from a smaller place and there is a lot of demand as well as pressure on businesses to succeed. In other words, the competition is cutthroat.
If you want to choose the best freight forwarders in Melbourne, make sure you:
Set your requirements straight
First of all, you must identify and make note of the kind of items you want to transport. Do you have hazardous cargo, heavy machinery, FMCG, fragile cargo, etc.? Or is it simply items that can withstand environmental factors easily – things like raw material, construction material, and the likes of the aforementioned. It is paramount that you start things off by specifying these requirements within your business i.e. get everyone on the same page. Next, you must understand the risks involved in transporting this particular category of items. Moving different types of cargo may require specific kinds of channels or transports. Therefore, this step is a make or break for the success of your supply chain.
It is also wise to recognise the quantity of cargo and whether you need temporary stops for long-distance routes. Temporary warehousing solutions are also provided by many freight forwarders in Melbourne. The idea is to be as specific as possible because you want to get accurate quotations from your freight forwarding services.
You may want a service such as car transport from Perth to Melbourne, for example, or hire a taxi truck in Melbourne. Having a clear idea on what you want will give you the kickstart you need.
Recognise your risks
Although we have already touched upon this a little bit, this point deserves a special mention as well. It is that important. The kind of cargo you want to transport is the deciding factor in many things. If you have heavy machinery or lubricant oils for automobiles that need to be someplace else, find out the risks involved with transporting these kinds of items. The research on your end will allow you to ask relevant questions and get clear and solid answers. It will also help you shape your demands better and in turn get the right pricing for your needs.
Infrastructure of the freight forwarders
When a company takes the responsibility of the safety of expensive cargo, it becomes necessary to question their capabilities before hiring them. Freight forwarding is a business that several industries rely on for their smooth operations. Therefore, the freight forwarders should fulfil certain criteria before you hire them.
The fleet that they manage is one important question that you must always ask. It will allow you to gauge the bandwidth of the company and help you understand whether they’ll be able to fulfil your requirements properly. Freight forwarders should also be experienced. Seasoned companies know the risks involved with their work and therefore take the necessary steps to avoid them. Another important factor is the manpower that the freight forwarders have. With such an ‘operational’ mode of business, manpower plays a key role. You must gauge the freight forwarders on the basis of these factors.
Licences and permits
Freight forwarding requires the movement of cargo from one place to another. More than often, the cargo is hazardous, involves risks, or requires special arrangements. The government has proper protocols and guidelines in place to transport such items. Even the most generic items should be transported following the right protocols. Commercial vehicle driving and management also demands a certain set of licences and permits to operate. Therefore, to run a freight forwarding services business, all of these prerequisites must be complete. You can check with your ‘options’ before you hire them – ask them if they fulfil all the legal criteria. Doing business with a company that ignores these important steps can land you in a lot of trouble that could have been avoided quite easily.
Pricing of freight forwarders in Melbourne
There are two things that you must be properly looked into when we speak of pricing. The cost of working with freight forwarders is pretty dynamic. It depends on fuel prices, the location, and the current demand. The first major point of discussion should definitely be the industry standard price points. Here, your research is crucial. Make sure that you are aware of the current pricing structure of freight forwarders in Melbourne. Read online or consult other companies who work with freight forwarders.
Secondly, the estimates that you get should give you a clear idea about the final costs. Therefore, it is important that you ensure that there are no hidden charges or taxes that can come back and surprise you later. At the end of the day, it all depends on whether a business venture is profitable or not.
Add ons and communication channels
Add on services can make or break your deal with a freight forwarder. Although most freight forwarders in Melbourne offer complimentary add ons like live tracking and receipt management tools. However, your specific requirements may warrant the need of some other add on services, Freight forwarders have a large scope of operation and can therefore accommodate features for your convenience. This is on top of the fact that they offer such services in general.
Another important factor is the communication channel that the freight forwarders have with their customers. A proper mode of communication is absolutely necessary for the smooth movement of your cargo. The freight forwarder should already have an established system to make this convenient for you, the customer.
More stuff you can research
Finally, you can add on your search for a good freight forwarder by looking for accredited companies. In Melbourne, the best freight forwarders are “NHVAS and WAHVA Fatigue, Mass and Maintenance Accredited companies”.
It is important to note that proper research is necessary for all the points mentioned here. You can only find good freight forwarders if you have your requirements in order, understand the price points, recognise experience, and more. You can consult experts from this industry and understand all these points further. However, the basics will always remain the same. At the end of the day, finding good freight forwarders in Melbourne isn’t that hard.