Truck driver wages are increasing, jumping by 17% in 2015 over the two previous years. The wage hike, however, ultimately means carriers will be shifting the additional cost to shippers. Not to worry, though; here are a few changes in industry practices you can implement for mitigating the eventual fee increase.
Incorporate Freight Management Software
Are you still keeping records via paper and pencil? If you are, there’s a good chance that there’s an error somewhere. The data, after all, is logged by a human staff, and people are prone to make mistakes sooner or later. By incorporating the latest freight software, you have a seamless tracking system to help you manage shipment with fewer chances for human error.
Improve Accounting Systems
Your industry frequently deals with numbers. Again, there’s too much room for human error. You should have integrated system software in place for keeping tabs of all invoices, payroll, and freight bill audits. A single clerical error in a freight invoice can set your company back thousands of dollars.
Plan Ahead
Carrier fees differ depending on a multitude of factors, such as type of trailers used, freight weight, and so on. Generally speaking, though, LTL shipping is usually the most affordable option since your freight shares a space with other cargo. Of course, this means longer shipping times compared to a dedicated truck transport, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you plan ahead as often as possible.
Truck Driver Wage Increase Doesn’t Have to Affect Overhead
Finally, it’s important as ever that you arrange all shipping needs through a freight broker. Contact Machine Transport for your next scheduled machine tool shipping. We can help you save money by connecting you with the best carrier for your specific needs. In our experience, truck driver wage increase has very little effect on overhead as long as shippers follow the above recommendations.
Edited by Justin Vorhees
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