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Home > Forum > Should We Hire Load Brokers Or Contract Direct With Truckers?

Should we hire load brokers or contract direct with truckers?

Apr 03, 2018 at 12:34 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
I am looking for advice on the most effective way to transport municipal solid waste(MSW) & residual construction waste from Southeastern Massachusetts to disposal sites in upstate NY, PA, OH, VA. We are a private company that operates transfer stations and we transport a small portion of our material to local disposal sites.

For the past ten years the state of Massachusetts has been steadily running out of capacity for solid waste disposal. This year two more large volume landfills in Mass. will reach full capacity. The closure of these landfills will add the need for an additional 125 -150 truckloads per day to be hauled out of state. Our company will need to hire truckers to carry 10-15 loads per day increasing to 25-30 loads with the most likely destination Waterloo, NY.

We have purchased baler equipment that pushes MSW and C&D waste bales into a sealed bag. The bags are sealed to keep bales from leaking while in transport, our intent is to only bale dry non-odorous waste and ship wet waste in walking floors to instate disposal incinerators. These bales can be hauled in vans, end dumps, walking floors, flatbeds, etc.

This is our first experience working with long distance trucking companies. As a locally owned trucking company, our preference would be to contract direct with truckers/trucking companies looking for reliable and steady haul routes. One of our biggest concerns is having to manage inconsistent trucking schedules and constant turnover with seasonal truckers.

Photo of a typical flatbed load of baled solid waste.



Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Michael Mowbray
Recycling Solutions of Raynham, MA

Links for Baler system:
Photos of bagged bales
http://www.accentwiretie.com/envirobale
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=145&v=kTxqQZXAqv0
Replied on Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 12:59 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Instead ofhauling this away to the dumps..is this non toxic? I know a company in California that hauls solids from the treatment plant and uses it as fertilizer.. they use end dumps with tarps... just a thought...
Replied on Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 01:20 PM CST
+ 4 - 3
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
if you want dependable people to become familiar with the loading and unloading sites and the procedures so you don't have to babysit every driver hire a carrier or several. If always having to show people where to go and what to do and dealing with drivers that are angry with the world because their dispatcher didn't get them home and now want them to haul another load that doesn't get them there or pays to little. Then hire a broker. You might want to start off with a broker and then look for the drivers that do a good job for you and ask them if they want to contract.
Replied on Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 03:32 PM CST
+ 1 - 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Hello Sir

Hope that load is just an example not an Actual load as it looks
like the Securement is not up to snuff.
Replied on Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 06:46 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
The trailer load in the photo was in the process of being secured and tarpped when the photo was taken.

I appreciate your concern,

Michael
Replied on Wed, Apr 04, 2018 at 08:36 AM CST
+ 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
As a broker ---- I will say that you idealy want a trucking company, and you will probably end up paying round trip, or close to round trip rates. However, depending on your situation you may want a broker on hand for extra loads, your carrier's breakdowns, or other issues that would require a spot truck. There is usually a decent demand for anything heading out of MA.

The biggest challenge with this lane is ensuring that you don't have a bad day or two, and end up having 20+ loads on hand trying to move them out. My best piece of advice, however you go about securing your trucking, is to try to keep your carriers happy. The last thing you want is a reputation for poor load/unload times, no detention, slow pay, etc.
Replied on Wed, Apr 04, 2018 at 11:44 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Steven,

Thank you for the advice. We own a few tractors and were considering using them as back up plan if becessary. The first 6 months or so it might cost our company a little more money to ship our waste out of state but we feel the disposal market should start increasing enough to justify the trucking. We should experience the cost benefits and stability of disposal capacity after the first year. Paying both ways has been our model but we feel by baling the waste we can attract more potential for round trips to offset the return. I think local shipping companies looking for west bound trucking will find it very difficult to compete with our industry's willingness to pay more, and not lose a potential outbound load.

We are also considering purchasing our own trailer for truckers willing to make a commitment, so they can drop and go with little to no waiting time for loads. This will also benefit our operation from having to handle the bales once.

Thanks,

Michael
Replied on Thu, Apr 05, 2018 at 10:18 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Whatever you do, you should probably decide rather soon......

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