Trucking in North America is big business, and finding someone to haul your product from one end of the country to the other is as simple as picking up the telephone. Freight companies in North America have become so technologically advanced that shipment scheduling, transporting and tracking is now a job for third-party brokers and the trucking companies themselves. This frees manufacturers to concentrate on production, not logistics.

North American transport services are often the product of a brokerage that coordinates shipments between manufacturers and trucking companies. Brokers provide easy access to thousands of trucks, typically charging a percentage of the line haul for their services. Shippers can also hire trucking companies with common or contract authority directly. This arrangement can be beneficial to both parties. Without the middleman, the result can be more economical shipping costs for the manufacturer with higher profits for the trucking company.

Before arranging for North American shipping, there are a few details you must be ready to provide:

1. The size and shape of North American freight you’re shipping. Can it ship on a flatbed truck, or does it require protection from the elements? Does the load require refrigeration? Is the product too wide to fit in a box trailer? Load specifics are essential.

2. The approximate weight (within 200 lbs) of the shipment including the product and any racks, containers or pallets used in the shipping process.

3. The classification of the product. Shipments that fall under Hazardous Materials regulations have special requirements for transport. In mixed loads, you must provide the exact classification of all products in the shipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use load boards to find trucking companies in North America

Whether you utilize a brokerage house or contact trucking carriers directly, you'll need access to contact numbers to arrange your freight shipments. Load boards are an excellent place to start. You can pull contact information off the boards, or list your available shipments and let service providers contact you.

I recommend: The best load boards in the industry are unquestionably InternetTruckstop and GetLoaded.com. They list hundreds of North American freight companies with available trucks and are searchable by brokerage, trucking company, distance from your location, freight status and more.

Contact larger North American freight brokers

Small brokerage houses commonly found on load boards often provide the best service experience; but if your shipment must move immediately a large brokerage house can be useful. Large brokerages have access to hundreds of North American trucking companies. The downside can involve wading through confusing automated telephone systems, possibly transferring to more than one person before speaking to a broker who can assist you.

I recommend: Get freight quotes from J.B. Hunt and Landstar--both industry leaders among North American transport services.

Get North American freight quotes from several carriers at once

If you have no carrier preference and are willing to gamble on customer service, another option is to simply hire the lowest bidder to move your freight. You can get a several freight quotes at once by utilizing quote compiling sites.

I recommend: Take a tour at FreightQuote.com to see its interface at work before signing up with the service. To get an immediate quote, gather your load information and visit Freightnet.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If customer service and on-time delivery is one of your main goals, consider finding a local trucking company to act as a contract carrier for your business. Not only will you have the advantage of pre-scheduled trucks, but the same drivers are likely to service your facility on a regular basis. This frees your shipping department from repeated explanations of standard procedures and facility directions to new drivers.