A Major Transportation Problem That Doesn't Get Enough Attention

The news of a semi truck full of cheese being stolen in Central Florida has sparked a discussion here at FreightCenter. We began discussing different stories of trucks being stolen from over the years. It became comical and disheartening to remember all of the different items that were stolen. It then became mind boggling when the total value of the items were calculated and we realized just how much money was lost every time a truck hauling freight disappears.

A quick search and we discovered that a large number of trucks are being stolen in Florida, particularly the Central Florida region. We have gathered some of the more interesting ones in hopes of bringing to light a problem that isn't commonly thought about. When people think of products being stolen, most people would assume that it would be electronics. Sadly this doesn't seem to be the case. Here in Florida the most popular items seem to be food, though nothing is safe, including exercise equipment. 

The impact of these stolen truckloads reaches further than people initially realize. When trucks are stolen, the initial impact of the those products not reaching their intended destination is the most stinging. Shelves are empty and stores cannot supply their customer's demands. This results in lost profits for the stores expecting that stolen product. Over time this loss starts to build, and product prices go up, compensating for the expected loss. Ultimately this results in increased costs for the customer. 

Share this Image On Your Site

<p> <strong>Please include attribution to www.freightcenter.com with this graphic.</strong><br /><br /><a href='http://freightcenterinc.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-major-transportation-problem-that.html'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fvLbsnfosqg/VQHT_1HNqbI/AAAAAAAAAj4/9pttfskdZbs/s1600/Stolen%2BFreight%2BInfographic.png' alt='Stolen Freight' width='540px' border='0' /></a></p>

Why Should I Use A Freight Logistics Company

Freight logistics companies have agreements with the freight carriers and search for the right availability based on price and customer requirements. Companies like Freightcenter.com can manage everything from one shipment to your entire supply chain.

Roadway Express, AAA Cooper, and R&L Carriers are a few of the many National freight carriers available. Third party freight logistics companies do not touch the freight, they provide the service of helping shippers find the best price with the best carrier for truck load and less than truckload (LTL) shipments.

Many shippers ask me how better rates can be offered through freight logistics companies than through the freight carriers directly. This is due to the volume of shipments that the freight brokers bring the freight carriers. The more shipments booked for them, the better the discount offered to the freight logistics company. In turn the less frequent shipper can obtain lower rates going this route.

Other reasons to use a freight broker besides lower rates are customer service and ease of setting up shipments. Most of the larger freight logistics companies have agents assigned to accounts who will take care of shipment from start to finish. The shipper does not have to dispatch or track the shipment, this is all done by the logistics agent. Also, many freight logistics companies have booking software available to the shipper for booking online shipments. Booking a shipment online eliminates the time spent waiting on hold.