News

A haulier claims that jobs picked up using freight exchanges can provide a useful additional source of income but will never be a substitute for long-term work.

Lee Davison, commercial director at Fast Forward International, based in Sittingbourne, Kent, says his company has used the online Teleroute system for more than 15 years for international jobs and as a support tool.

He adds: "Because Fast  Forward International looks to build long-term relationships with our customers and suppliers, freight exchange systems will only ever be viewed as a get-out-of-jail card.

"If a company becomes too reliant on them as a source of work I think it could indicate a lack of substance - but they nevertheless have a place in every transport manager's toolchest."

Davison says the downside of freight exchanges is that they act as a 'middle man' and take a cut of what is usually not a top rate in the first place.

RCS Logistics, based in Corby, Northants, chose to use the Haulage Exchange system as rates were getting tighter and the firm was having to work harder for backloads - especially from areas such as Devon, Cornwall and Scotland.

Darren Beaty, operations director at RCS, says: "We have added to our planning team to take Haulage Exchange movements  into account, taking on more work without extending our own core fleet."

Pete White, transport manager at Whites Transport in Gloucester, says the Coolload site has not only benefited Whites Transport but helped the refrigerated transport sector as a whole.

"Coolload has increased our business and our credibility, and we know where our 20 trucks are going to be on a particular day.

"We use the system on a daily basis, often five or six times a day, and recently put a load on the system which we needed to get to Wolverhampton quickly. Within an hour it was on its way."