starting a transport company???

irish_bhoy09

i know its a very hard industry,fuel costs insurence etc
anybody got any storys of setting up one,ideas etc,how do u get work?

kilburn

Whatever you do please please please do not put any money time or effort into setting this business up now, I spent 5 years in it, that busness is dead now and will be for the next 5 to 10 years. You will never be able to compete on price with the established players.

highlandseoghan

Have you ever worked in this industry? This is a very busy industry that is very well established and would be very hard to start up and be able to compete against the big boys.

If you have worked in this industry and have made contacts you might be able to build up a bit of business but it would take a long time and a lot of money.

irish_bhoy09

yes im in the industry,but iv never been out on my own,

highlandseoghan

Have you got many contacts? Have you asked people that you are delivering stuff to if they would give you work if you set up on your own? Is there anything in your current contract that states you cant approach your current employers customers?

Valetta

Your biggest hurdle will be competition.

There is only a limited amount of business out there, so you will have to win work off an existing transport company. You can't creat new work.

Your capital costs and overheads will all be more expensive, as existing companies will have better purchasing power due to higher volumes. Therefore in order to make a profit you will need to charge more.

You will need a USP (Unique Selling Point) in order to justify your (probable) more expensive prices. This could be 24 hour availability (only possible if you can have drivers on standby) or a specialised service (handling cargo that requires a tail-lift or air-ride suspension etc.)

Start small and don't expand too quick or you will find yourself overstretched and your service level to your customers will fall, resulting in them moving to a more relaible transport provider.