Choosing the right freight forwarder can be a daunting task. The freight market has witnessed significant growth in the past few years, both in the United States as well as globally. Options for transportation are traditionally between air freight and sea freight.
These are the key things to keep in find as you think about selecting the right partner:
- Reputation and experience
- Having strong experience in the industry and geographies in which you are focused is key to increasing the likelihood of a positive experience
- Services
- Make sure that your shipper offers the service that is most important for you - whether that is packing, routing, or insurance
- Network
- Having a strong network will help you get the lowest price and reduce friction associated with transportation
Below you will be able to find reviews of some of the best companies in the market.
Yusen Logistics
Yusen Logistics has strong history, starting in 1955 when it was originally founded.
The company currently has more than 20,000 employees across 500+ offices and operates across a number of continents including Asia, Australia, South America, Europe, and North America.
The Good Stuff:
- Comprehensive suite across freight forwarding, warehousing, transportation, distribution services, contract logistics and supply chain management.
- Large global presence that encompasses more than 550 bases in 44 countries and regions, with a warehousing footprint of over 2.65 million sqm
- Significant storage capacity with a warehouse footprint of more than 2.5 square meters
The Bad Stuff:
- The company lack the same global branding as some of the larger competitors in the space.
5/5 Stars
Navis Pack and Ship
This Colorado-based company is focused on customers in the United States and Canada. They specialize specifically for large, fragile items that may be awkward to ship through additional means.
The Good Stuff:
- The company has been in business for more than 30 years and has strong track record for US or Canada-originated shipments.
- The company offers several additional services such as Custom Crating, Pick Up and Delivery, and Packing to ease the hassle associated with shipping.
The Bad Stuff:
- If you are not based in the US or Canada, another freight forwarder will likely be a better choice.
4.5/5 Stars
Acme Truck Line
Acme Truck Line is a US-based transportation company located in Louisiana. The company was founded in 1960 has also fleet of several thousand trucks.
The Good Stuff:
- Employee-owned business that operates 24 hours a day / 365 days a year.
- The company operates more than 2,900 trucks that extend across more than seven states.
The Bad Stuff:
- Potentially limited routes depending which state of freight origination.
4/5 Stars
How to decide...
Choosing the right freight forwarder is not an easy task. Talk to friends and family that have used one and assess based on your own unique needs.
There is no single company that is perfect in every scenario - evaluate your potential options based on the type of freight you are using as well as the beginning and ending destination.
