In lots of ways, it might sound so seemingly simple. What is it that is so hard? There are plenty of good haulage companies out there right? However, there are technically many things that need to be factored in when choosing a transport company. The haulage world is fast-changing and very much a very increasingly connected place, so with this, there is a level of expectation from clients. Tasks need to be carried out swiftly, professionally and to the correct specification in order to be competitive – the same applies to all industries around the world. If you’re working with different products that have to be shipped to customers and clients, you could have considered enlisting the help of a haulage company. When selecting a haulier to carry such a responsibility you need to feel assured that they can deliver the results you require. In order to do this, you need to know what you are looking for in your ideal road haulage company.
The haulage world is constantly changing and with that comes a raising level of expectation from clients. Services need to be done quickly, efficiently and to the correct specification in order to be competitive as a business. If you’re working with products that need to be shipped to clients, you very well might have considered using the services of a haulage company. With this in mind, here in this blog, we outline to you some considerations and pointers for finding a quality haulage company based in Stockport.
What is the company’s reputation like?
Do your research. You need to select a business that has a good, solid reputation; anyone will tell you that reputation is everything. Seek out trade references and enquire about the company via customer testimonials. If they are not willing to hand over this information or provide references this means they cannot provide any support for their claims of excellent service, this could be a red flag. Don’t be scared to go ahead and contact references to ask them how they might have found them and what their experience of the service was like, essentially, whether they would recommend the company. Also, ask colleagues or friends in the industry for any advice or recommendations.
Be sure that they understand your needs
If clients do not get their orders in the timeframe set out to them, this can be a major issue for businesses and in turn, lose them custom. This is why it is very important that the haulage company that you opt to use, realises your exact requirements. Maybe you have specific delivery or collection slots or need special equipment. Possibly you are looking for storage services as well as haulage. Whatever it is that you need, make sure that the haulage company is aware and can meet your needs.
Get a quote
Before you accept any haulage company, get yourself a quote. You should not just automatically go with the minimal price offered; rather, take everything into consideration and then select the lowest-paid haulage company out of those who can offer quality service and exactly what you require. If you want a quote and a company takes ages to get back to you, this could mean that they are not familiar with the route and you may wish to consider choosing a different company.
Be clear about any ongoing work
If you are planning to be a long-term customer, inform the company so that they know upfront. If a haulier realises that there is going to be regular work on a route, they may give you a better price or reduce the fee in the future.
How can haulage companies benefit you?
When considering enlisting the services of a haulage company, you might still be wondering what actual benefits the operation and what you can expect to gain from working with a company. Firstly, hiring a haulage company is one of the best and most cost-effective options when transporting goods.
Rather than attempting the very costly process of transporting the products yourself, a haulage company will have a fleet at the ready driven by qualified drivers who realise the responsibility that comes with heavy haulage.
A quality haulage company will also have a vast range of transport options, indicating that you won’t need to worry about whether your goods can be transported. Also, it can be good to utilise the time-saving aspect of employing a haulage business. Transporting your goods in big quantities can make distribution quicker and your whole system runs faster as a result.
No doubt, all of this varies depending on whether you work with a quality haulage operator.
Cargo transport
Before starting your search for a reputable haulage company, it’s important to spend time considering what you actually need to transport. The needs of a small business will have wildly different requirements to a large-scale operation and will, in turn, require different haulage services.
By understanding your individual needs and, in turn, passing this information onto your chosen haulage company, you can make a much more informed decision when it comes to putting your money down and you will certainly thank yourself later for doing a little research.
Don’t rule out experience
Since it may seem as though getting cargo from A to B is a pretty simple job, haulage operators have a pretty complicated occupation on a day to day basis, plenty can go wrong if an operator doesn’t have experience.
Taking this into consideration, perhaps work alongside a haulage company that has a good track record in the industry. A haulage company that has been trading for years and is far more likely to provide a more professional service than one still in its infancy.
Do take time to research
Much like any professional service you may use, it is crucial to do some of the research on the company you’re using. As we previously mentioned, asking a haulage business for references or checking online for previous customer reviews are ideal ways to start creating an image of the company but give yourself plenty of time to do this beforehand. It is so obvious that a haulage company that is happy to talk you through previous work and their history as a business shows transparency and this is something that you should be looking out for.
lastly, don’t forget to check if your chosen haulage company is a member of any accredited bodies within the haulage industry. Associations such as the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) sets a high standard of vehicle operation and requires all members to follow their strict rules in order to be accredited. Taking this into consideration, a haulage company connected to one of these associations is a sure sign of quality.
With over 70 years of experience in the industry, T.W Bowler Ltd specialises in haulage across the UK and Europe. As one of the most trusted haulage companies in the area, we have a fleet of vehicles that are suitable for all loads of up to 300 tonnes. We also work on bespoke requests including abnormal load escorts, doing all we can to meet your requirements. For more information get in touch today.
