If we intend to open Auto transport company, we must first know what type of activity will take and the use of vehicles or if you have to transport goods or people. To better open and operate with all the requirements in place, you also have to adapt to specific regulations. Let’s see in detail how to manage a transport company.
When it comes to a transport company, it is not just an effort. It depends on what type of vehicles you want to have within the fleet, the number of cars that you are going to get, how many drivers, administrative, operational, and maintenance employees. If you need to hire, and the initial capital you have and see the time, commitment, and dedication to face the problems that arise and the wide competition within the market.
It would help if you first determine the specialty.
If you want to create a transport company, the first thing to do is correctly determine your business course. Each typical transport association follows slightly different rules. You may choose to start a transportation business for people or goods. Regarding the transport of goods, the goods’ weight to be transported will be determined to determine the category of light vehicles and heavy vehicles.
For the transport of people, you can choose between taxis, transportation of people with disabilities, or the option of creating a transport service of people to the station or airport.
The selection process for hiring the drivers of vehicles you choose must be strict.
Also, knowing the route trajectories in this way, it is essential not to lose customers. The relationship with the consumer is of real importance to guarantee the clientele of this company.
Charge the correct fees
The owner of a freight forwarding business; you must determine what rate to charge your customers based on the services you provide. Your prices should be high enough to receive a good profit and pay all the operating costs.
As a future carrier, you should set your rates before you start attracting other companies and making sales. Remember, when you call, be competitive.
Determine your operating costs
Knowing your operating costs in detail is important. Otherwise, you will have no idea if you will make a profit. First, determine your fixed costs. These are the expenses that don’t change, no matter how many miles you drive. Some examples are truck payments, insurance, permits, etc.
Now, it’s time to specify your variable costs. These expenses will be related to the number of kilometers your trucks will travel along the road. For example, fuel falls into this category: the more you drive, the more fuel your entire fleet will use.
Use the fixed and variable costs to determine your “total cost per kilometer.” This figure is very important since, if you subtract this amount from your fees for services, you will get. As a result the amount of money that you will have as a profit.
It is essential to advertise your business in the market.
In this sense, contacting a local newspaper to place an ad may be a good idea.
Nowadays, it is almost mandatory for companies to have their website and business cards listing the company’s services. As with any business, even a transportation activity requires time and effort to build your customer base. The important thing is to make sure that you have adequate financial support to not close the business after a short period due to limited funds.
Never forget: Be careful; a wrong investment could make you lose all the money invested.
Requirements to start in a transport company
In the business of the transport company, some requirements must be specified and resolved, such as:
Specify the vehicles to be purchased
After having done all the planning, with the help of a professional, it is necessary to see the type of most profitable fleet, looking as an administrator to focus on small, medium, or large fleets.
Decide whether to lease the fleet, operate autonomously, or create strategic alliances with other sector companies. The company’s income, failures, or successes depend entirely on this step.
Select the type of customer
Depending on the business’s focus, it is decided by going to terminals, schools, business centers, food companies, or the government to offer the services. Building your clients’ portfolio and trying to create networks between other transport sectors in which they mutually benefit.
Weight the costs
Considering the investment in maintenance, repair of the fleet, tires, gasoline payments, driver salaries, and extra expenses such as (insurance, techno-mechanical review), you can know how to distribute the money intelligently.
Suppose it is a question of delivery of goods. In that case, a route plan must be made in which the same car can make different trips under the same route, avoiding wasting gasoline, time, and efforts traveling long distances that later lead to problems of meeting time before the client.
Problems that can arise in the business process
In this business, you must be very clear about its purpose. That is the niche in which you will work because it is not a constant money flow business since most fleets have problems with the refund and disbursement of money.
Most transporters do not offer quick payments. They pay their accounts in percentages through alliances that do not generate immediate capital. Even what happens frequently is that a load can be delivered today, and it ends up being paid in a couple of months later.
Likewise, there is the problem of the costs of repairs, gasoline, and surprise expenses, which become a day-to-day issue that generates extra fees that impact the transportation company’s finances.
Advantages of having a transport company
Having a transport company represents an advantage because it brings an image to the business. They are available at any time they are needed, and better control of drivers and services can be carried out, directly supervising customer service.
Depending on the vehicles’ use, there may also be advantages if the trips are infrequent or short, then the purchase of the vehicles is convenient. In this case, a strategy must be organized to manage expenses, including the implementation of tools that allow planning maintenance periods and controlling fuel expenses.