Down you own a small trucking or freight brokerage that needs funding? Read this article to learn about an effective and easy to obtain financing solution for transportation companies.
Trucking companies tend to be cash intensive businesses. To grow the company beyond the proverbial one person one truck business you will need access to capital or business financing. The big challenge is finding - and obtaining - business financing this environment. Even though the recession ended a long while back, we remain in a small business credit crunch. Most financial institutions are unwilling - or unable due to their financial problems - to provide business loans to small transportation companies.
The biggest problem for most trucking companies and brokerages is cash flow. This problem stems from the fact that most trucking companies and brokerages have immediate expenses but delayed revenues. In other words, they need to pay for drivers, repairs and fuel quickly. On the other hand, customers pay their invoices 30 to 60 days after service. This time gap between expenses and income forces trucking companies to dip into reserves to cover current expenses. And therein lies the problem since few companies have the required capital reserves to cover current expenses for up to 60 days, while growing the company at the same time.
The obvious solution to the problem is to reduce the time it takes for customers to pay you. This is easier said than done since customers like being able to pay in up to 60 days. It helps them with their own cash flow. One strategy is to offer the customer an incentive to pay quickly, such as a discount if they pay within 10 days. It's a good strategy, if your customers are willing to work with you. You will still be at the mercy of customers who may change their mind and opt out of the discount (and early payment). For many, the better solution is to use business financing.
There is one business financing solution that solves this cash flow problem and has remained available during the credit crunch. It's called freight bill factoring. Freight bill factoring allows you to have the equivalent of a quick pay on your freight bills, without having to worry about convincing your customers to pay quickly. So instead of waiting 60 days to get paid, you can get paid in a few days. This strengthens your cash flow and helps ensure you have the funds to meet current expenses and take on new loads.
Freight factoring works by using a financial intermediary called a factoring company. The factoring company advances funds based on your freight bills and holds the invoices until your customer pays in full. Once your customers pay, the transaction is settled. The factoring company's main collateral is the creditworthiness of the invoices it finances. This makes it a good solution for small carriers and brokerages whose biggest (or only) asset is a strong list of customers can benefit from this solution.
Factoring is an ideal solution for carriers and brokerages whose biggest challenge is not being able to wait 60 days for clients to pay their invoices.
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