Freight Procurement Services
Freight procurement services are perfect for companies looking to create or expand their transportation fleet. Learn how FreightCenter can help you with planning and executing freight procurement without costing you extra.
Freight Procurement Services
Logistics is all about arranging and planning the transportation of goods and services. Yet, for some reason, getting ahold of any type of transportation is one of the most expensive purchases a company will make.
Obtaining vehicles for a fleet is challenging for companies unfamiliar with logistics. Aside from the process being costly for smaller businesses, it can also be difficult to select and negotiate contracts with carriers and transportation suppliers to acquire vehicles without assistance.
Fortunately for you, FreightCenter is fully capable of arranging freight procurement services for companies wishing to start or expand their transportation fleets. Learn more about our freight procurement services and what we can do to help make acquiring transportation easier.
Thousands of businesses trust FreightCenter to move their freight faster, smarter, and cheaper! From unbeatable rates to top-notch service, our customers are raving about their shipping success.
See why they keep coming back!
Award-Winning Service, Trusted by Shippers Everywhere!
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Choose FreightCenter for Freight Procurement Services?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. Our goal is to make freight shipping easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a liftgate? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that don’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
Regular Procurement vs Freight Procurement
In the supply chain, procurement is the process of obtaining raw materials for the production of goods and services. Procurement is more than just purchasing supplies; companies must also research suppliers, get quotes, negotiate rates and contracts for long-term relationships, and arrange inventory for deliveries.
Freight procurement is slightly different from regular procurement in that it focuses on the planning, negotiating, and purchasing of transportation services required for moving freight. You could say that freight procurement is a subcategory of procurement, as they both require strategic planning, contract negotiations, finance monitoring, and supplier performance.
However, the most significant difference between the two procurements is their objectives. Procurement’s goal is to secure supplies for a company’s product production or for business operations, to ensure the continued flow of goods and services from a company.
Meanwhile, freight procurement’s main objective is to secure transportation for freight shipping. By having a dedicated transportation supplier, you can enhance service reliability and guarantee the timely delivery of goods to customers.
Importance of Freight Procurement
Freight procurement is significant for businesses selling products to their customers. Without proper transportation, products will have a more challenging time getting onto store shelves or into the customer’s hands, decimating profits and leaving customers dissatisfied.
The most popular form of freight procurement is semi-truck procurement. Truck transportation is one of the most common modes of transport for freight shipping; they are also the least expensive form of transportation a company can procure. However, freight procurement applies to all four forms of freight transportation: truck, container ship, aircraft, and freight trains. No matter how you transport your freight, owning and operating your own fleet can be hugely profitable and cost-cutting.
While smaller businesses can book their freight via a freight brokerage or through a carrier directly, more prominent companies may want a long-term relationship with a freight transporter to ensure their products will flow from their manufacturing plant to the customer without delay. This is what freight procurement hinges on: strategically planned spending or leasing on permanent transportation.
There are three factors why successful freight procurement services are so crucial:
- Cost Management: Transportation and logistics at large are expensive ventures. Proper freight procurement both minimizes and optimizes spending, balancing the need for high-quality transportation with business budgetary constraints.
- Supply Chain Reliability: Supply chain management is about keeping the flow of goods going without constant interruptions. Having dedicated transportation at your disposal allows for a reliable supply chain that isn’t restricted by delivery delays or issues.
- Scalability: A company’s growth lives or dies on healthy freight transportation, as that is one of the main connectors between the company and the customer.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Nationwide Expedited Trucking services move your freight securely and rapidly. Your freight requires fast delivery; our freight shipping experts can get your shipment fast, whether in one large box or a full truckload.
The most reliable Specialized Freight Services rates from all the top carriers are just a few steps away. From white glove service to international shipping, we've got you covered.
Strategies for Freight Procurement Services
Freight procurement can be a difficult task if you are purchasing a vehicle for freight transportation for the first time or are considering changing your transportation provider/supplier. To support your team as you prepare for bidding and contract negotiations, here are some tips for successful freight procurement:
- Planning is key to a successful freight procurement. Know what your objectives are for procuring vehicles. Do you wish to stay within your budget, find a specific type of transportation, or want to have a long-term relationship with your chosen carrier? Be sure to lay all this out, along with what benchmark metrics you’ll use to monitor progress.
- Keep watch over the freight market, which tends to fluctuate depending on greater economic conditions. Keeping ahead of the latest trends and innovations in the field ensures you are prepared for unexpected changes in the economy and within your business.
- Data analytics is your friend when strategizing freight procurement. Invest in a top-of-the-line data analytics system, especially those enhanced with AI and machine learning capabilities. This will help your team forecast market trends and make wise decisions going forward.
- Budgeting is an important consideration when procuring transportation since it is a significant expense. However, cost-effectiveness is not the end-all to be-all. Remember that you are looking for vehicles that are of sound quality and sturdiness and may need to adjust your budget to accommodate your business needs.
- Scheduling is a hassle when it comes to freight shipping since sending shipments out individually can rack up shipping expenses. By coordinating shipment schedules to either ship around the same time or be shipped together as one large shipment, you can deliver to your customers efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Freight procurement is not a one-time deal. You will need to have a continuous relationship with your carrier to keep vehicles up-to-date and when it’s time to expand or change transportation modes. Build a long-term relationship with carriers based on cost, service quality, and reliability while keeping track of performance using metrics and KPIs.
- When something goes wrong with freight procurement, you shouldn’t panic. Have contingency plans in place in the event a vehicle is unavailable, in need of maintenance, or has an issue upon delivery.
Discover Freight Procurement Services from FreightCenter
Obtaining one or more vehicles for freight transportation is difficult for any company, especially those unfamiliar with the logistics industry. Not only are the upfront costs for buying or leasing transportation expensive, but the costs of maintaining an entire fleet can also add up. That’s why companies often outsource freight procurement to another company or utilize a 3PL’s freight procurement services to find, negotiate, and contract with transportation providers.
When you need assistance in procuring freight transportation, FreightCenter can help! We have experience with freight procurement and can find the best transportation deal to get your new vehicle to your business on time and in safe condition. Taking advantage of our carrier network, we offer discounted rates that you can compare and select from, minimizing costs in the process. We also provide unique solutions to your every shipping needs; whether you need oversized load shipping or need to ship from overseas, we’ll work out the details with you.
Most importantly, we offer continuous support and assistance for our customers. You can track your shipments, make payments, and reorder previous shipments online on FreightCenter’s TMS program. We are also on call whenever you need us; our customer support agents can help you through any issues with your shipment, including documentation errors and payment.
Ready to optimize your freight transportation? Call us at (800) 716-7608 or try our free online quote tool to compare quotes from our network of carriers. Try our freight procurement services today!
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freight Procurement Services
Q. What is freight procurement?
Freight procurement is the process of strategically acquiring freight transportation via planning, negotiating, and contracting with a transportation provider. Freight transportation includes freight rail trains, semi trucks, ocean container ships, aircraft, and other modes that can move freight from one location to another.
Q. How is freight procurement different from regular procurement?
Freight procurement and regular procurement both revolve around obtaining something through planning strategically, negotiating payments, and forming contracts with a provider. However, regular procurement focuses on acquiring raw materials and supplies needed for production and business operations. Meanwhile, freight procurement focuses exclusively on obtaining transportation for freight shipping via a transportation provider, and has nothing to do with supplying raw materials and finished goods.
Q. Why is freight procurement vital for businesses?
Owning or leasing your own transportation is a boon for companies wanting to expand their logistics operations. By handling your own freight transportation, you can cut down on costs associated with commissioning a carrier, optimize your supply chain to be more reliable, and create healthy growth for your company.
3 Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Dedicated Fleet Services
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.
