Shippers are companies that have a product that needs to be transported from one place to another via truck, rail, air or cargo ship. Freight brokers serve as intermediaries between the shipper and the transportation company, but a transportation company is not required to go through a broker to get a shipper as a customer. Both brokers and transportation companies use the same methods to get shippers as customers, however. Calling companies and offering proof of your experience the way to get new business.
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Determine the commodity to be shipped by researching the shipping company. Look at the company’s website to determine the products shipped. For example, if the product is food, find out if the food is canned or shipped fresh.[/box]
[box]Contact the shipper and ask for the freight manager, transportation manager or transportation department. If the product is canned, it can be transported on a non-refrigerated truck. However, if the product is fresh, a reefer, or refrigerated truck, is needed. In addition, the product must be transported at a specific temperature.[/box]
[box]Ask the freight manager if the company’s products are shipped out-of-state or in-town. If the products are shipped out-of-state, ask the start and end points of the loads.[/box]
[box]Offer to send the shipper the details about your transportation company. Obtain the contact information for the shipper. The package should contain the Motor Carriers (MC) number, insurance information, credit references and contact information.[/box]
[box]Contact the shipper in three days. This gives the freight manager enough time to receive and review the package.[/box]