The number of small businesses operating in the current U.S. economy has grown in leaps and bounds during the past two decades with many of them depending on the successful shipment of products in a variety of ways. And those business shipping needs very often include the use of trailers of some sort. The term “small” business can be a misnomer with many companies, and especially with respect to what the federal government terms as small. Many companies that qualify as small businesses are actually huge in stature compared to the truly small operation such as online store advertising wares that will assuredly require shipments to fulfil their orders.
And even though many small businesses focus on the individual buyer and ship by parcel systems or the U.S. Postal Service, many of those shipments even for the truly small business will require incorporating trailers for effective delivery of significant orders. A primary task for those operation managers is finding the right size container for use when filling orders. Having a reputable and dependable trailer company helping in the decision can often be a real advantage because various containers can regularly be found in one location with the right supplier.
1. Trailer Purchase and Rental Trends
Depending on the long-term aspects of a business and the size of the clientele, many small businesses will need to decide on whether to buy containers as company stock or rent a trailer for certain size orders. There are many options available for either choice, but some outlets can provide both an opportunity to buy or just rent for the specific shipment. Developing a solid working relationship with a professional trailer sales and rental operation can help because you know where to turn in the future if you choose not to make a trailer purchase, which can be a major investment for most small businesses.
2. Implementing Small Shipping Containers
The size of a trailer can be an important business decision because of operating expenses while in transit. Businesses that ship goods in a small to moderate amount find that 12-20 foot trailers can do the job with much fewer transportation costs. They can also often be pulled with a heavy pick up truck as opposed to a tractor-trailer rig that larger companies will need for major shipments. Smaller pull behind containers also can be hauled by drivers who do not need a special license unless stipulated by insurance providers, not to mention cargo classification concerns in the states along the route in many instances.
3. Multiple Shipping Methods Usage
Many small businesses have found in the booming digital economy that outstanding customer service can be a real plus for their company in getting an advantage on competitors. Every customer is important right down to the very smallest. Being competitive often means being flexible, and being flexible can easily include a range of container sizes for delivering products. Small and moderate orders alike can be done using the personal touch that customers appreciate, and still having the capacity to haul major shipments to outlets who advertise your products and sell in significant quantity can still be a component of outstanding customer service.
4. Standard Size Commercial Trailer Usage
There are still many small businesses that are not incorporated but still operate by manufacturing products on a mass scale. And of course, those businesses will still use the standard containers designed for solid delivery of those products to highly-valued customers. Once again, the decision regarding whether to buy or rent can come into play, and many companies with sizable operational budgets will opt to make a purchase from a dependable trailer sales and rental outlet with a comprehensive inventory of containers.
This is a shipping trend that is clearly here to stay, even if the company chooses to use the soon-to-be emerging trend of electric driverless trucks. The typical 40-50 ft trailer will still be the standard for the foreseeable future because they are a tried-and-true cost-effective method of shipping that is more necessary than trendy.
Regardless of the size of any business, long-term growth and sustainability is commonly maintained by delivering products in a safe common sense manner to ensure the products arrive on time and in excellent condition. Investments are big for both providers and customers in most cases, and using the right container for the right shipping need is a trend that will always be en vogue because of investment concerns as well as maintaining sound business relationships.