As a manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor, one of the largest problems you face is getting your products to market. With over 80% of consumer goods in Canada moved by truck, it’s very likely that you will need to research, find and contract a trucking company sooner than later.

But It’s also likely that you already have a network of reliable companies with which you do business. But what happens when things change, either with the trucking company or with your requirements?

You’ll need to find a new freight transportation partner, and the longer it takes, the more you stand to lose.. Listed below are 3 basic criteria that will help speed up your search.

1. How Old is the Company? Yes, there are lots of newer trucking companies that are quite capable of carrying your goods. But, if you need to find one quickly, you should you should look for a company that’s been around for a while to minimize your risk of running into problems that only experience can eliminate. Don’t be afraid to look up their customers and call them for feedback.
2. What Service Level Do they Provide? It’s a mistake to choose a trucking company just because they say they can deliver your cargo by a certain time. It’s all the other services the company provides that makes a big difference in which one to choose. You need to get answers to questions like: Do they offer storage, staging or other options that can reduce my costs? Can I track my shipment en route? Can I call them anytime and expect to get answers?
3. What Are Their People Like? Finding a new supplier always means making more than a few phone calls, having a few meetings and maybe even visiting a few facilities. And when you do, you’ll pose a few questions. You should pay as much attention to how the answers are given as to the answers themselves. You can tell a lot about how a trucking company will handle your business by how you are treated personally by the people that represent the company.

Of course, there are far more criteria for picking the best trucking company for your needs. Does the company operate in your markets? What are the costs? Can they meet any special requirements you have?

But the more attention you pay to these three basic questions, the higher the chances are that you’ll find a company that meets all your other criteria.