The logistics industry requires the work of countless transporters, pickers, order fulfillers, managers, drivers, and more. Freight brokers are among the employees who help items get from a seller to a customer. What is a freight broker, and how can you choose the right broker for your business? This guide will provide an overview of what a freight broker does so you can have a better understanding of this position.
What Is a Freight Broker?
A freight broker acts as a “middleman” between a shipper and a carrier. His job is to find drivers who have the capacity and ability to move the freight a shipper needs to transport. The broker acts as a matchmaker of sorts, ensuring that each load gets where it needs to go under the supervision of a qualified driver. He pairs the best carrier with each freight to maximize the efficiency of the supply chain.
Where Do Freight Brokers Work?
Some freight brokers work independently. They have a network of drivers they use to fulfill orders, depending where they are and what kinds of loads they have coming in. With that in mind, many freight brokers also work for warehouses to provide shipping services in addition to inventory storage. We have freight brokers working at Overflo as part of our order fulfillment team. They are in charge of getting goods transported from the warehouse in a timely manner so our clients and their customers are all equally satisfied.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Freight Broker?
Using a freight broker can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to shipping goods. This is especially true if you have to send them to another part of the country. Experienced freight brokers usually have a network of drivers that they work with and have built long-lasting relationships with. The brokers are able to work out shipping routes faster than people who do not have access to the network, and they can usually negotiate better shipping rates because of their existing relationships.
A freight broker can take a lot of pressure off you, the seller, because he handles the tedious details of the shipping process. In any area of transportation, you have to think a few steps ahead to make sure products get where they need to go. You won’t have to worry about that and the stress that comes along with it if you trust in the freight broker to do the work for you. He will have the experience necessary to get the goods shipped quickly, and you can free your mind to focus other areas of your business.
What to Look for in a Freight Broker
If you already use a warehouse to store your goods, you may want to take advantage of the freight services they provide. This will save you an extra step, and it will make the process of moving your products as efficient as possible. As a whole, you should look for a freight broker with experience, flexibility, and affordable pricing – all of which you can find here at Overflo. Work with someone you know you can trust to handle your products with care.
To learn more about freight brokering, shipping, warehousing, or any other services we provide, contact Overflo at 1-800-626-0616 to speak with one of our friendly representatives.