Freight Broker Transportation Solutions in NC
When you need to move large amounts of product across long distances on time, you want a business partner you can trust. Crown LSP Group is here as your comprehensive freight broker to help you find an honest, reliable and timely form of transit from our network of certified trucking carriers. We’ve been in the transportation and freight industry for over 30 years, so we know what you need to meet your budget and make timely deliveries.
Crown LSP Group is a family-owned freight brokerage company with customer service that values customization for you. We skip the cookie-cutter model and help you find a carrier that can meet the unique demands of your product.
What is a Freight Broker?
A freight brokerage company is a middleman who oversees communications between the shipper and the carrier. The broker ensures that the shipper provides the product properly and that the carrier delivers it on time, on schedule and within budget.
Crown LSP Group has a carrier network of over 5,000 certified trucking company partners. We provide you with third-party brokerage deals that save you time and expense. Our in-depth experience with the freight industry gives us insight into negotiating contracts and overseeing the fair execution of operations.
Benefits of Using a Freight Brokerage Company
There’s a reason the large majority of Fortune 500 turn to freight brokerage companies to handle their supply chain needs. Freight broker service companies like Crown LSP Group are a powerful solution because we simplify the transit process for the shipper by removing the need for negotiations, planning routes, and tracking freight.
There are several specific benefits of freight broker solutions:
- Cost reduction: Logistics freight brokers have personal business relationships with truck carrier networks to negotiate exclusive rates and help you save on transportation costs.
- Scale capacity: Freight brokers deal with thousands of trucking companies, so it’s simple for them to scale transit at fast-growing companies.
- Timely and quality delivery: A freight broker is an impartial watchdog to ensure that trucking companies deliver your freight on schedule in the proper condition.
Why Choose Crown LSP Group as a Freight Broker
Crown LSP Group has specific competitive advantages that can take your distribution and logistics processes to the next level.
The most significant benefits of partnering with us for third-party logistics services include:
- Customer service: We go beyond the extra mile to bring you the highest level of customer service. We’re a family-owned business that treats you like a business partner, not just a number on a spreadsheet.
- Expertise: Crown LSP Group has generations of experience with a legacy of thousands of trucking partnerships. When you do business with us, you become a part of our brain trust of experience with your own valuable insights.
- Services: We offer both Truckload and Less-than-Truckload (LTL) services, so you have a comprehensive plan to match various products.
FAQ for Freight Broker Services
If you are looking for freight brokers in North Carolina, turn to Crown LSP Group. Find answers to some of the most common questions we receive regarding transportation brokerage services below.
A freight broker functions as a point of contact for shippers while freight moves to its destination. The freight brokerage process eliminates the need to negotiate with a carrier, track freight and plan routes. Freight brokerage also minimizes deadhead miles and optimizes routes, boosting earnings in less time. A freight broker utilizes its expertise to prevent damage, increase the supply chain efficiency and improve delivery times.
Freight brokers handle communications between businesses and carriers to ensure every shipment arrives at its destination. A broker can move your freight via all the primary modes of transportation, such as:
- Air
- Rail
- Truckload
- Intermodal
- Less-than-truckload (LTL)
Along with negotiating freight rates, a freight broker provides top-tier customer service and gives you access to a much broader carrier network.
Freight brokers are responsible for a range of duties, often including:
- Billing: Your freight broker receives the relevant documents and prepares for the payment by submitting the invoice. Payment and freight documents may include receipts, rate confirmation and proof of delivery or a Bill of Lading.
- Transit: A freight broker stays in touch with you constantly throughout the transit process, along with your carrier. A freight broker should have advanced tracking systems to give you total visibility into the shipment’s location and the condition of the truck.
- Loading: Loading is an essential step when hauling freight. A freight broker ensures the driver doesn’t have any problems while transporting the load, stays in contact with the carrier from the beginning and notifies you of any delays. The freight carrier will sign a Bill of Lading so the driver is liable for the freight and shipping process.
- Unloading: The carrier makes note of the delivery time after unloading. Typically, the freight broker waits for the paperwork before sending you an invoice.
- Order tendering: A freight broker works with a company and reviews the request to schedule a load. Your business will provide all the information necessary during the quote process. A quote may include a particular order, standard shipment or special event. Along with contact and address information, a broker may request that you include all valuable load information like commodity type and handling conditions.
- Load scheduling: The broker enters your details into the freight transportation management system (TMS). Your broker can use this TMS to find an experienced, reputable group of carriers that can move your shipment. You can trust that the transportation freight carriers have the appropriate equipment and are licensed to accomplish your shipping journey. The broker books the load and connects with the driver to discuss handling requirements for the shipment.
- Selecting reliable carriers: The freight broker will vet its carrier base to ensure the carrier has a reliable track record and the appropriate insurance and authority. A reputable freight broker will understand the value of working with high-quality carriers and put reliability and integrity at the top of their list of priorities.
- Managing shipment logistics: A freight broker plans the journey of your shipment from start to finish. That includes arranging recovery options if something goes wrong, relaying in-transit updates, arranging pickup appointments, and arranging deliveries to help customers manage costs and optimize supply chain procedures.
Keep the following factors in mind when looking for a freight broker company to find the right fit for your business:
- Size: The size of a brokerage firm for trucking can indicate the company’s capability and capacity.
- Reliability: A reliable freight broker should ensure on-time delivery and demonstrate its ability to meet deadlines.
- Communication: A freight broker should communicate with you and offer excellent customer service.
- Ability to resolve issues: Unexpected issues can arise during transit, and a freight broker should be able to resolve them.
Costs matter to every shipper, which is why cost reduction is a common reason shippers turn to freight brokers. Since freight brokers are experts in the field, they have the connections and experience to optimize your supply chain and slash your costs. Freight brokers tend to offer lower rates because the freight volume is combined with the shippers they partner with. They can negotiate lower rates that lead to customer savings.
A freight broker should understand how freight rates are affected based on capacity. The brokerage you choose should have the resources you need and the ability to provide additional capacity as necessary.
Yes, a freight broker can use its network of load boards and logistics contacts to connect shippers and carriers.
While freight forwarders perform many similar duties to freight brokers, they also offer some additional services. These include taking possession of the cargo and becoming legally responsible for its safe arrival. Forwarders are also often responsible for customs clearance and international shipping.
Contact Crown LSP Group for Freight Brokerage
Crown LSP Group has four decades of experience to help you revolutionize your distribution and logistics. You’ll have peace of mind with Crown LSP Group, a family-owned business with a legacy of customer service that puts you first.
Want to take the first step on your journey to freighter brokerage? Reach out and fill out our contact form online or request a quote to find your trucking brokerage services today.