CARRIER SCREENING & RISK MANAGEMENT
Clients value their partnership with M33 as an effective way to minimize some of the complexity and risk in their distribution model. Over the years, we have developed a Risk Reduction Policy that makes distribution a competitive advantage through extensive carrier screening and management. Our dedicated expertise and system technology allows our clients to focus on core business activities and lean on us to oversee transportation risk policies.
CARRIER SCREENING
- We verify proper operating authority for each carrier utilized within the M33 Network of Carriers. If new data raises red flags in our Transportation Management System (TMS), that information is brought to the attention of a supervisor before new shipments can be tendered.
- We perform a “Fraud Protection Review,” wherein we validate carrier companies’ active cargo and liability insurance. In this process we also monitor SAFER scores, undisclosed aliases, out of service times, accident records, negative feedback and any violations of code. This is a good indicator of driver record, equipment quality and overall reliability.
- We cross-check the carrier company with the Secretary of State’s Company Records as a final test of confidence and accountability.
- We recommend that our clients give preference to carrier companies that have been in business for more than a year and have a fleet of at least ten trucks. Although not always necessary, we’ve learned to apply this rule of thumb as matter of caution.
CARRIER MANAGEMENT
- We file the company’s information packet and enter its information into our TMS. This adds the carrier into an “approved” status for use by members of our Collaborative Client Network.
- We assign a team of Logistics Coordinators (LCs) to monitor and co-manage the client company’s freight activities to ensure they’re reaching peak efficiencies and on-time customer deliveries.
- We proactively communicate on-time pickup and delivery performance to all major TL and LTL carriers utilized within the Client Network (regardless of level of performance).
- We issue a request for root-cause analysis and corrective action to any carrier performing at or below 95% on-time service.
- We provide carriers with a monthly summary recap of all activity across the Client Network, including number of shipments, tonnage, revenue per account and total, as well as a recap of service for the month.
- We schedule monthly (or quarterly, depending on the depth of our relationship) meetings with Carrier Account Managers for all major carriers to review outstanding issues.
- We travel to the major carriers’ corporate offices on a yearly basis to discuss performance and opportunities with members of each company’s executive team.
- We hold a yearly Carrier Appreciation Event held in the M33 Operation Center to recognize the invaluable role of carriers in providing best in class transportation service to M33 and the members of our client network.
ANALYSIS & REPORTING
They say you can't manage what you can't measure. We work with our carrier network partners and our clients to identify existing and potential issues that could impact their distribution. Our analysis and reports provide all parties with the information they need for more effective management.
As a continuing service to our clients:
- We analyze and report average volume, exceptions, alerts and on-time service levels per carrier, per month.
- Our LCs request constant feedback from our clients to ascertain whether selected carriers are meeting their expectations.
- We offer optional cargo contingency and spike volume insurance programs as a way to further reduce risk.
- We issue quarterly industry updates via the M33 E-Newsletter to keep clients informed of current trends as well as special releases related to particular issues that may impact our clients' transportation programs.
- We actively participate in industry associations and events to educate ourselves and our clients about “best practice” trends.
- We distribute a bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey to all users of our TMS to uncover concerns and solicit suggestions for improvement.
If you would like to learn more about how our Risk Reduction Policy insulates our clients from market volatility and minimizes service failures, please contact us.
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