How a Freight Exchange Can Help You Grow Your Business

Jul 4
12:40

2017

Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

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Grow your network, take on more haulage jobs and boost turnover. See how AE Hancock have managed it.

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AE Hancock Ltd,How a Freight Exchange Can Help You Grow Your Business Articles a family-owned haulage company based in Stockport in the North West, was founded in 2007 with a solitary commercial vehicle. Since its establishment, the firm has undergone substantial growth in handling same and next-day deliveries across both the UK and mainland Europe. AE Hancock now controls a fleet of seven vehicles, consisting of rigid flatbed lorries and tractor units, which it operates from an 8,000 sq ft warehouse facility.

Why Join Haulage Exchange?

AE Hancock realised that they weren’t optimising the use of their fleet because they didn’t have the required network of trusted customers and partners across the nation to avoid higher levels of empty running. With the company expanding beyond its traditional base in the North West of Englad, AE Hancock needed to find an effective way of attracting additional haulage jobs to maximise their capacity in order to boost turnover. 

They joined the industry-leading freight trading platform in January 2014 after a recommendation from an existing partner. They immediately gained access to a network of over 3,000 transport businesses across mainland Europe, the UK and Ireland and since then has been able to fill over 90% of its empty return load capacity with haulage jobs found through Haulage Exchange.  This lead to an impressive 20% increase in turnover during their first full month on the exchange, worth over £8,000.

Increased Loads, Increased Turnover

AE Hancock secures an important number of their haulage jobs each month through The Exchange, and use it to list their available capacity daily to identify suitable loads matching with locations of their vehicles: all from the company’s office in Stockport. It has been able to build a core network of 20 operators responsible for an increasing proportion of the additional loads, and has also develop valued relationships with other like-minded hauling companies.

Furthermore, the feedback system allows AE Hancock to make informed decisions regarding who they work with— affording them peace of mind that new partners will deliver in terms of service.

Additional Business Prospects

AE Hancock has also been able to identify new business prospects thanks to Haulage Exchange, allowing for its investment strategy to be more aligned to meet the precise needs of other members. For instance, the company became FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) accredited in order to take advantage of increased demand for work in London, and its intended acquisition of an 18-tonne curtainside vehicle with a tail lift is directly down to the opportunities that are available on the Exchange.

Extra Haulage Jobs Without Extra Hassle

Haulage Exchange’s system is so simple, intuitive and responsive that AE Hancock were able to use the platform without experiencing any internal administrative burden. Quite the opposite, as it turned out— through the use of the freight trading platform’s invoice system the firm has saved time and has managed to streamline their billing processes. Furthermore, the support offered by the Exchange’s dedicated customer management team means any questions are immediately answered and any issues get resolved very quickly.