By RDS

Flatbed Transportation: A Guide to Choosing the Right Partner

When it comes to your supply chain, the choice of transportation partners is paramount. As a central component of your logistics operations, selecting the right flatbed transportation provider is crucial for ensuring the seamless flow of goods and meeting customer commitments. 

Understanding Your Transportation Needs:

The starting point for choosing the right flatbed provider is a comprehensive understanding of your current and future transportation needs. This involves assessing volume considerations, locational and lane-specific requirements, and equipment-related considerations. 

  • Volume Considerations: RDS collaborates with clients to delve into projected volumes, frequency of flatbed truck capacity needs, potential changes in volumes, and loading procedures. By addressing these questions, RDS ensures that each client’s specific volume requirements are met with precision.
  • Locational, Lane-Specific Considerations: RDS emphasizes a thorough understanding of supply chain destinations, origins, and length of haul requirements. By aligning with client-specific needs, RDS facilitates a network of flatbed carriers capable of servicing diverse locational and lane-specific demands.
  • Equipment-Related Considerations:RDS guides clients in evaluating equipment needs, including trailer types, loading/offloading capabilities, and additional requirements such as tarping or special securement. This ensures that the selected carriers have the necessary assets and resources to transport freight safely and securely.

Considering Each Carrier’s Strengths, Size, and Resources:

Once transportation needs are established, it’s vital to consider each carrier’s strengths, size, and resources. RDS stands out by facilitating discussions that extract valuable information about a carrier’s core strengths, cargo specialization, preferred lanes, regions, and fleet size. This meticulous approach ensures that clients partner with carriers whose operational proficiencies align seamlessly with their business requirements.

Verifying Safety Practices and Procedures:

Safety is a non-negotiable aspect of freight transportation. RDS verifies safety practices and procedures by examining carriers’ safety ratings, inspection results, crash data, and participation in safety programs like C-TPAT and SmartWay. Prioritizing safety aligns with RDS’s commitment to secure and reliable transportation services.

Vetting for Technology Usage and Adoption:

In an era dominated by technology, RDS recognizes the significance of carriers embracing digital tools for enhanced communication and efficiency. Clients are encouraged to inquire about carriers’ load-tracking technologies, real-time market insights, and overall technology adoption. RDS ensures that clients align with carriers at the forefront of technological advancements, fostering efficient and streamlined operations.

Taking History, Longevity, and Financial Standing into Account:

The final critical consideration involves evaluating a carrier’s history, longevity, and financial standing. RDS assesses a carrier’s experience in the industry, understanding their longevity, and scrutinizing financial health. RDS fosters partnerships with financially secure and experienced carriers.

In the pursuit of an ideal flatbed transportation partner, RDS Capacity Solutions emerges as the beacon of reliability, expertise, and innovation. By meticulously aligning client needs with carrier capabilities, emphasizing safety, promoting technology adoption, and prioritizing stability, RDS ensures that each client’s flatbed transportation journey is characterized by efficiency, accountability, and success. Choose RDS Capacity Solutions as your freight services partner and experience a transformative approach to flatbed transportation. Get in touch with our team today.