A less-than-truckload (LTL) freight company is a logistics company that specializes in transporting goods from different owners using a single shipping truck. These companies offer both small and large shipments, and most offer flat rates for their services. Some companies also offer door-to-door services for customers who live close enough to their destination.
You probably already know how much your delivery costs when you use an LTL freight company, but there are other things you should consider before deciding whether or not they are right for you.
What is an LTL Freight Company?
An LTL company is a common type of freight carrier that transports goods from one point to another usually in smaller vehicles. Instead of occupying a whole container for a shipment, an LTL company will mostly cater to smaller packages that can be combined into a large container. Typically this includes small shipments from different customers.
An LTL freight company will typically have its own fleet of trucks, and they will pick up your shipment from its original location and deliver it where you want it delivered. They can also provide storage space while they wait for other orders to arrive.
What are the benefits of using an LTL freight company?
An LTL freight company is a small business that specializes in moving large amounts of cargo. Usually, they will offer a wide range of services, including loading and unloading, managing the shipment, and providing insurance coverage.
LTL shipping is a great option for businesses that need to ship a small amount of cargo, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of physically driving their product to the freight company or even to the customers.
At first glance, using an LTL freight company may seem like an unnecessary expense. After all, you can just drive to your customer yourself and load up your shipment. However, there are some advantages to using an LTL freight company that you should be aware of before making your final decision on how to transport your goods.
Benefits of LTL Shipping
- Lower Costs: LTL shipping companies will often charge less than full truckload companies, which means you can save more money on your shipping costs.
- Faster Delivery: Because LTL shipping doesn’t require as much physical movement and handling, it’s usually faster than full truckload shipments.
- Easy Accessibility: Since the warehouse is most likely located near your facility, you can easily retrieve your products without having to drive them back home.
Who uses an LTL freight company?
LTL freight companies are best suited for businesses that will be transporting items from one location to another within the same state. While LTL shipments can be sent from anywhere in the country, they require more preparation and planning than a typical shipment.
There are many different types of shipments that can be sent via LTL. The most common type is parcel shipping, which involves delivering items between homes or offices as opposed to major retailers or warehouses. Other types of shipments include furniture, equipment, and automotive parts.
LTL freight companies are a great choice for businesses all over the country. They are able to offer specialized, high-quality service at competitive prices and have the flexibility to meet your needs in any situation.
Here are some of the most common types of businesses that use LTL freight companies:
- Small Retail Stores: Smaller retailers often have limited storage space and need to keep their inventory moving quickly so they can sell it as soon as possible.
- Manufacturing Facilities: Manufacturing facilities can be very large in size and also require a lot of shipping supplies, such as boxes and packing materials. Using an LTL freight company will allow you to ship these items quickly without having to worry about storage space or inventory management issues.
- Athletic Clubs: Athletic clubs typically ship athletic equipment such as balls, shoes, helmets, and other equipment all over the country for tournaments and competitions. In addition, many athletic clubs need heavy equipment delivered quickly for training purposes or for special events.
How to find the right LTL freight company.
Finding the right LTL freight company can be overwhelming. There are so many options out there, and you may be unsure how to choose one that is right for your business. Here are some tips to make the process easier:
The first step is to find a freight broker who can help you determine which carriers can ship your goods. The best way to do that is by asking around. Talk to other businesses in your industry and see what they think of their carrier partners. Also ask your customers, suppliers, and vendors whether they’ve used the carriers you’re considering.
Next, visit the websites of the carriers that interest you and see if they have any reviews available for public viewing on third-party review sites like Google Business Pages. When reviewing these sites, look for positive reviews from past customers. The more positive reviews, the better chances that your transaction with that company will turn out great.
Finally, once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential carriers, go ahead and request quotes from them via email or phone call. Be sure to ask about any discounts or bonuses that may be offered by the trucking company as well as any other incentives that might make it cheaper for you to use them instead of another competitor in your area.
Using an LTL shipment company for your goods.
There are many cases where an LTL freight company is the best option especially if you are only moving small quantities of goods. This article should help you decide if an LTL freight company is the right choice for your next logistics need. If you want to connect with us here at Soul Logistics for your LTL shipping needs, let us know by sending us a message. We would be delighted to work with you on your next shipment.
