What is a freight agent versus a freight broker? Is one better than the other? How do they work together?

These are commonly asked questions of us. Being a freight broker who works with freight agents, we have experience with both. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what a freight broker is, what a freight agent is, how they compare, and how they work together.

WHAT IS A FREIGHT AGENT?

A freight agent’s primary role is to help arrange the movement of freight between their customers and carriers. A freight agent can be one person or group of people that work as an independent contractor under a freight broker’s operating license.

Unlike a freight broker, a freight agent doesn’t have their own operating authority and legally can’t arrange the movement of freight on their own. Therefore, the only way for them to do business is by working with a freight broker. Because of this, freight agents assume very little liability, as that lies on the freight broker.

Sometimes a freight agent may be called a sales agent since they often sell services for the freight broker they work with.

Freight agents earn money on a commission percentage that’s agreed upon between them and the freight broker.

While they often have their own culture, they represent the reputation of the freight broker they work with. So, freight agents want to make sure the culture of the freight broker they choose to work with is similar or aligned.

Freight agents are responsible for building their own customer base and book of business. Freight brokers will often have a clearance process in place to check that the customer is not already working with one of them or another freight agent with the company.

WHAT IS A FREIGHT BROKER?

Freight brokers are companies that arrange the movement of transportation between customers and carriers. 

It is a requirement for freight brokers to have a property broker license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and a surety bond for the minimum value of $75,000. They also need to carry the proper insurance. Freight brokers need to maintain a level of compliance yearly as guided by the FMCSA. The FMCSA requires that freight brokers keep all records on file for at least three years.

Freight brokers have the responsibilities of overseeing the invoicing of their shippers, paying their freight agents, working with freight factoring companies, and making sure their carriers receive payment for any loads moved. Freight brokers are also required to keep their records for three years and to hold insurance.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN A FREIGHT AGENT VERSUS A FREIGHT BROKER

Freight agents and brokers can both be considered freight service providers. Both provide a high level of freight capacity and service, with many considering them to be problem solvers and logistics consultants for their client base. Both freight brokers and agents work to match available freight shipments from their customers with their carriers to optimize service and price. Both also negotiate with their customers and carriers on pricing to earn a profit.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FREIGHT AGENT VERSUS A FREIGHT BROKER

Freight agents have less liability in comparison to a freight broker. Freight agents need freight brokers to operate, whereas freight brokers can operate without freight agents.

A freight broker will have a more consistent brand look and feel across its office(s) versus freight agents that operate under the broker.

In comparison to size, freight agents are often smaller businesses, not always, but most often. While freight brokers are usually a much larger entity.

When it comes to daily tasks, freight agents only take care of finding their own customers and carriers and arranging their own freight. Whereas freight brokers do that and everything else, like invoicing, compliance, claims, credit checks, and more.

Freight brokers can offer other services like transportation management and technology. Freight agents have the opportunity to do that too, but those resources are only available based on the freight broker they work with.

WHY WOULD ONE PREFER TO BE A FREIGHT AGENT VERSUS A FREIGHT BROKER?

There are many reasons one might choose to work as a freight agent vs. a freight broker. For one, there is a much lower cost to being a freight agent because of the entire back-office support provided by a freight broker. This includes those tasks like invoicing, payables, receivables or collections, and curating marketing materials. It also consists of the larger costs like technology, such as a transportation management system to operate, cargo and liability insurance, the required surety bond, and contract management.

Additionally, a freight agent’s potential customer base may not like working with a small broker but would work with a freight agent knowing they are protected at a higher level by the freight broker they work under.

A freight broker also provides the freight agent with long-standing motor carrier relationships and contracts that are available to offer shipper solutions for them from day one.

Working as a freight agent would essentially simplify the business for them. Working as a freight agent allows them to focus on what they do best, cultivating customer relationships. In contrast, the freight broker handles many items a freight agent would otherwise have to operate, pay, and worry about if they were a stand-alone entity.

WHY THEY WORK GREAT TOGETHER

By working with a freight broker, freight agents get to focus on what they do best – building a strong customer base and servicing them with robust logistics solutions. In addition, small freight agents can quickly grow with the support and reputation of a well-known freight broker.

By working with freight agents, freight brokers can grow a nationwide or worldwide presence without building or obtaining office space. Additionally, freight brokers can see a growth in revenue by working with freight agents who work well at building new customer relationships.

TRINITY’S FREIGHT AGENT PROGRAM

Some people simply prefer tasks a freight agent has to complete versus a freight broker. They enjoy what they do and don’t want to worry about the rest of it. If that’s you, Trinity has a great agent program for those who like working more independently.

At Trinity, we have 30 years of experience aiding the success of our agents, with many seeing a 25 to 45 percent increase in their business over a two-year period from their initial start date with us. In addition, we offer many extras for our freight agent network, such as:

Continued Education Opportunities

We have an in-house Education Team available. Every month, they host virtual classes offered to increase sales skills, learn more about our logistics solutions, or help with technology. They also provide many virtual classes through our Learning Management System that you can take on your own time.

Technology

We offer many best-in-class applications and an entire Team of in-house software engineers, constantly striving to provide you and your customers with the best logistics technology available.

Agent Support Team

We also have a Team solely dedicated to assisting and encouraging our agent network. These Team Members work with you to help you set and reach your own goals, offer suggestions, and help you every step of the way. You’ll never fall behind or feel unsure with Team Trinity rallying behind you.

Consider joining our Agent Network today, so you can gain more time to focus on your customers, generate more revenue, and we’ll focus on everything else.

Author: Christine Morris

Trinity Logistics takes pride in being a leading name among independent Freight Agents. We have many benefits to offer through our Freight Agent Program, but the one we’d like to talk about today is education. Continuous Improvement is engrained in our culture, so we ensure all Trinity Team Members receive educational opportunities, and this includes our Freight Agent network.

WHY CONTINUED EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT IN A FREIGHT AGENT PROGRAM

There are many reasons why continued education is vital to your success. When you look at the most successful people in the world, they know and understand that we never stop learning. Additionally, the logistics industry constantly changes; it is never stagnant. New regulations take place or newer technology makes waves. Continued education is needed for you to stay current with the latest developments, skills, technologies, and more. Continuing your education is the best way for you to stay ahead of your competition. Many other careers need continued education and Freight Agents are no different.

WHAT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DOES TRINITY’S FREIGHT AGENT PROGRAM OFFER?

CONTINUED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Trinity has an in-house Education Team that provides you with many opportunities to continue your education and training on business strategy, industries, modes, sales, and other skill sets you may need. There are virtual classes held every month, giving you opportunities to increase your sales skills and introduce you to any new Trinity technology. Most importantly, we offer our Freight Agents the same opportunities as our Team Members. In addition, there are many virtual courses offered outside of our monthly classes through our learning management platform. These courses can be taken in your own time and cover an array of topics such as leadership, cybersecurity, and customer service.

TECHNOLOGY TRAINING

Through Trinity’s Freight Agent Program, we provide you with the technology resources you need to be successful while offering you support every step of the way. When it comes to technology, we make sure to maintain a competitive edge in the market, giving you, your customers, and carriers access to best-in-class applications. We also have an entire team of in-house software engineers who work hard to make our processes easy and data accessible.

We never want to leave you feeling lost or confused, which is why our Freight Agent program Provides you with thorough training on current and upcoming technology. Through communication from our Agent Support Team, you’ll consistently be updated on any changes, big or small. Should you need any extra help with learning any technology, you’ll have your Agent Support Team available for any training and support.

INDUSTRY NEWS AND RESOURCES

Trinity’s Freight Agent Program keeps you up to date on what’s going on in the freight market and other related industries. As a Freight Agent with Trinity, you’ll receive an email every day with Daily Industry news you might want to know. In addition, each month, through Trinity’s Freightwaves’ Sonar account and other resources, we curate a Freight Market Update in our blog. You’ll also receive a monthly Agent Support newsletter giving you insight into any Trinity news.

ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT

Trinity has a Team dedicated to the support of our Freight Agents. Support Team Members will work with you to learn about your goals, offer suggestions, encourage you, and help you stay on track. Think you might need a little more help? We encourage spending one-on-one time through direct planning support and accountability reviews with our Agent Support leadership team members at Trinity. They have experience working with office structures of all sizes and can help dissect your business to get you closer to your goal numbers. They’ll be available to help recommend any educational opportunities and assist you with any of Trinity’s technology. You’ll never fall behind or feel unsure with the help of your own Support Team!

ANNUAL AGENT CONFERENCE

As a Freight Agent with Trinity, you’ll also be able to attend our annual Agent Conference. This year’s conference will be an all-day event held virtually on November 18th, 2021. You and your office are invited to hear from many speakers throughout the day, including members of our own Trinity leadership, sales directors, our Platinum Agents, and other industry professionals. In years past, we’ve had external speakers such as transportation economist Noel Perry and Transportation Intermediary Association’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Chris Burroughs.

This conference also includes workshops on the sales process and operations process for you to take part in and hone your skills and understanding. You’ll find technology and business resources available and even have chances to win some prizes!

PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

We can boast all day about the educational opportunities and benefits that Trinity’s Freight Agent Program offers you. But what really makes Trinity’s freight agent program different than others are the people behind it. It’s their commitment and dedication they have in helping you grow to be as successful as you want to be.

We realize you have a choice in who you’d like to partner with in your business. However, if what you’re looking for is a long-term partnership that is supportive of your growth, offers you continued education to remain competitive, and most of all, is made up of a Team of people who are passionate, dedicated, and striving for excellence, then Trinity Logistics may be the Freight Agent Program for you.

Take the first step today and get connected with Trinity’s Agent Recruiting!

When it comes to planning for success, taking that first step is always the hardest. This is where building habits come into play. Building habits of growth and success into your day will position your business to see results. A research study by Duke University found that 40 percent of the actions people performed each day weren’t actual decisions but habits. That data is pretty staggering! From our seats, we’ve noticed that our most successful freight agents have developed certain habits that propel them to success.

So, what ARE the habits of successful Freight Agents? While there are so many ways to build positive, growth-driven habits into your business, the key is to start with one. Find one habit below that you can start doing to help lead your business towards the path of success.

BE PROACTIVE

The key to continued growth and success is being proactive. If you don’t focus on growing your business, then your business is most likely shrinking. No matter how you choose to sell, it would help if you proactively surround yourself with potential customers and carriers, looking for opportunities to provide them value. 

BE A GOOD LISTENER

Being a good listener is a vital habit for an independent Freight Agent’s success. Listening well to the specific details around any shipment is essential and can make a huge difference. Making sure you fully understand what is going on and what is needed will allow you to better serve your clients. And when problems happen, fully listening to the issues with the intent of understanding will promote an environment of mutual respect and take your customer service even further 

PLAN EVERY DAY

One of the best habits is to have a plan made every day. It may sound simple (most habits are), but many can end up getting stuck in a routine of going through the motions, and lose sight of what they are trying to accomplish. Instead, start every day by planning what goals you’re crushing today and how they fit into your long-term picture. 

NEVER STOP LEARNING

The best Freight Agents never stop learning. If there is one thing that successful Freight Agents know it is that they don’t know everything! Habitually find time to listen to podcasts, read, take a class or webinar. Subscribe to industry newsletters or take advantage of any Freight Agent opportunities provided by your brokerage. The freight industry is constantly changing. From new regulations to new technology, you need to stay educated to be successful.

BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Successful Freight Agents understand that their relationships are what keeps their businesses thriving. Strong relationships will have your shippers, carriers, and brokerage support members looking forward to working with you. Logistics is truly a Team effort, so make sure you put effort into those relationships. By building natural relationships, you’ll have mutual trust and always be top of mind. Psst..you’re good listening habit will help a lot here! 

NEVER STOP NETWORKING

You may have an excellent book of business, with great repeat customers, but you should never get too comfortable. No company is immune to the ebbs and flows of the logistics industry and you never know when some of your current business slows due to shutdowns, new personnel, or other reasons out of your control. Because of this, it’s important never to stop networking and looking for new customers. Ask your current customers for any referrals, be present at tradeshows or keep memberships with certain trade organizations to help connect with others in your industry. 

BE A STRONG AND QUICK COMMUNICATOR

Most successful Freight Agents take time each day to communicate progress on any loads and speak to any current or upcoming changes. Make sure you always communicate both the good and bad news as it will continue to build trust. When bad news comes along, make sure you proactively communicate it and come ready with solutions. Most people appreciate the effort in communicating versus being left in the dark. 

SPEND TIME USING SOCIAL MEDIA

While this may not sound like a good habit to develop, social media is quickly becoming a great way to market yourself as an expert in the industry and network for new business. LinkedIn is a great place to get started if you haven’t already. You can use your brokerage’s marketing content and brand to help grow your presence as an industry expert online. Be sure to post regularly and engage in conversations online. Keep your online content and engagement professional, just as you would if you were in person.

SET SOME GOALS

You know you want to be successful, but what is it that defines that success for you? Determine what that is for your long-term goal and then make smaller goals to help you reach your end goal. Make sure your goals are SMART and follow through. And most importantly, continue to re-evaluate your goals so you can continue to grow. 

DO WHAT SCARES YOU

Growth cannot happen without being uncomfortable. Take small steps towards something that makes you uncomfortable. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll grow to be, as well as more successful. Do you hate cold calling? Maybe start with a small goal of two per day. Do you want to do more face-to-face client visits? Start with the one closest to you. Take one small step towards something that is daunting in your business. The momentum from one small step leads to another and another!

FIND YOUR PURPOSE

Most successful people have a higher purpose than just the need to be successful. Knowing your purpose helps you push through the more challenging times and motivates you to accomplish your goal. Having a clear sight of what you want to do and why will only make your habits more positive and purposeful. 

LEAN ON YOUR TEAM

Even though your role may be as an “independent Freight Agent”, it doesn’t mean you have to go at it alone. Make sure you find a brokerage that offers you the support you need so you can grow and be successful.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU SUCCEED

As independent Freight Agents, the fires of the day can sometimes take away from your personal and professional development. It’s important to us at Trinity to help our freight agents find ways to keep their business growing, while still having the ability to handle the operations of the typical “day in logistics”.

Here at Trinity, we understand that running your business is hard work, so we have an entire Team here to help you. We have over 30 years of experience aiding the success of our Authorized Agents, with many seeing a 25 to 45 percent increase in their business over a two-year period from joining our network. 

Let us help you get back to doing what you do best, serving your customers while receiving world-class support that puts you ahead of the competition. After joining, you’ll have access to a dedicated Agent Support Team to help you with your goals, business efficiency, development, growth, and encouragement. You’ll have full administrative support, many educational opportunities, and best-in-class technology available to serve you, your customers, and carriers. 

We’re also ready to help you build the habits mentioned in this article into your daily routine. If you’re ready to be a successful Freight Agent with Trinity, join our Authorized Agent network today and get ready to see some growth.  

A frequently asked question among new Agents is, “How much money can I make as an Independent Freight Agent?” The good news is the earning potential for talented Freight Agents is truly unlimited. You have your own book of business, manage your own time and ultimately, control your own salary. 

It’s important to say working as an Independent Freight Agent is not an easy task. Many factors contribute to your business’s success and your income. The most important factor is how much effort you are willing to put in to build and grow your business. Other factors include your level of experience, gross revenues from your book of business, the profitability of those customers, your business structure, and the support and technology offered to you by your freight broker. 

How Does an Independent Freight Agent Get Paid?

You might be wondering; how does an Independent Freight Agent get paid? Independent Freight Agents are contract workers paid through commissions via 1099 from their licensed freight broker, based on the gross margin or net revenue they produce. 

Your commission rate will depend on the freight broker with whom you work. Industry standards range from around 50 to 70 percent of gross margins paid to you. Maintaining proper insurance coverage, covering back-office operating expenses, supporting necessary technology to run your business and providing administrative support to your agency all covered by the percentage of the gross margin retained by the freight broker.

What’s the Average Salary for an Independent Freight Agent?

It’s nearly impossible to give concrete numbers on exactly how much annual revenue you should expect. This figure depends on several factors such as your experience, the size of your book of business (your customers), and the amount of time and grit you are willing to devote to the success of your business. 

It’s estimated that Freight Agents newer to the industry earn an average of $30,000 to $50,000 per year in commissions. However, some more experienced Freight Agents have been known to earn anywhere from $100,000 to $400,000 or more per year. Ultimately, determining your business plan and how much effort you are willing to put into your business will decide how much earning potential you have. 

Let’s look at a scenario example for more insight into an Independent Freight Agent’s pay.

Let’s say we have an Independent Freight Agent generating two million annually in gross sales with an average margin per shipment of 15 percent. This would yield that Freight Agent an annual income of $180,000, assuming a 60 percent commission rate with their freight broker. Comparing to the most recent published median U.S. household income of $74,580, you can see how being an Independent Freight Agent can be quite a lucrative career!  

Don’t Forget About Your Other Benefits

Money certainly holds a big value, but we know it isn’t everything. Working as an Independent Freight Agent has many other benefits outside of pay. The biggest benefit may be flexibility. Since it’s your own business, you can work from home and choose how successful you’d like to be.

Not to mention the help your freight broker offers you. By working as an Independent Freight Agent, you don’t have to worry about operating costs, licensing fees, insurance, or anything else that you would otherwise need as a freight broker. Of course, every freight broker is different in what they offer you, so make sure you do your research before signing up to partner with any company.

Do I Have to Work with a Freight Broker?

Yes, this is an absolute requirement as an Independent Freight Agent. As an independent contractor, you are not licensed to be held liable for the transportation of any shipment. Therefore you need to work with a freight broker. They are registered and licensed through the FMCSA to arrange transportation and be held liable should any problem arises. 

Make It Easier to be Successful

In any business, your success or failure correlates to your skills, planning, resources, and hard work. Make sure you have the support and technology you need to make it easier to be successful. 

By becoming an Authorized Agent with Trinity Logistics, you can gain more time to focus on your customers and generate more revenue, while we take care of everything else. We have best-in-class technology available for you, your customers, and carriers, and a whole Team ready to serve you and your growing business. 

To learn more about how Trinity Logistics’s Authorized Agent Program:

Call at 800-846-3400 x1908, 

Email [email protected], or

Author: Holly Cooper

Written by Karen Nagel, Senior Agent Relationship Specialist

Trinity Logistics was founded in 1979 by Ed and Deanna Banning. Ten years after its inception, the company had posted revenues of just over three million dollars. Mr. Ed, the then president, realized that establishing an Agent Division would allow the company to grow faster and gain more national exposure. From this realization, the Agent Division was born.

Mr. Ed wanted to bring on freight Agents but not just anyone. He knew that he would seek freight Agents that fit Trinity’s culture and shared in the company values and beliefs. In 1990, the first two freight Agents were recruited and were as different as they could be. One, a veteran truck driver and a seasoned broker; the other was a college professor with a trucking background who had never brokered a load in his life. These freight Agents were Jim Medlock and Bob Oliver, respectively. Jim passed away in 2005, and Bob remained a Trinity Freight Agent until he retired in 2012, over 23 years.  Both were very successful and demonstrated the kind of longevity we value in our Freight Agents.  We want our Freight Agents to find a home with us – to help them grow and realize their potential – to become part of the Trinity family.

An Annual Tradition Begins

In 1990, Al Klineburger became the head of the Agent Division, and he kept to the plan of only bringing on quality freight Agents. By 2004 we had around thirty Freight Agent offices, and Al tasked our Team to find ways to celebrate them, and thus Agent Appreciation Day was born. Our first Agent Appreciation Day took place on February 23, 2004. It was set aside as a day to recognize our Freight Agents and the enormous contributions they make to the success of the company. Their efforts and sacrifices are not always visible, but the end results cannot be diminished. Without them, Trinity would not be the leader that we are today.

Agent Appreciation Day has become an annual, much-anticipated celebration for Trinity Logistics. I found my old outline for the first one held and it brought back so many good memories. We sent each office balloons, flowers, and a gift card to a restaurant, and heartfelt letters from Al Klineburger and our then President, Jeff Banning. Phone calls from many Team Members at our home office were also made to express our gratitude and sincere appreciation for their work. We held a luncheon for our corporate Team Members where we showcased our different Agents and highlighted their accomplishments. 

Themes and Give-A-Ways

Each Agent Appreciation Day we try to do something a little different for our Freight Agents. One of my favorites was our “Trinity Agents Rock” theme, where we gave everyone an iPod and t-shirt. We’ve also had a “Red Carpet Hollywood Premier” theme complete with movie tickets, and a “Now You’re Cookin’ with Trinity” theme with a BBQ set, spices, and an apron. Whatever the theme, we always have a lot of fun, and one thing that has not changed is the sentiment behind the occasion – how much we truly appreciate our Freight Agents. 

Our Freight Agent Team has grown so much over the years – we now have 120+ offices across the U.S. I genuinely believe that we have one of the country’s best Agent programs, but that is because we have the best Freight Agent Team Members. I am in awe of their hard work, commitment, dedication, and loyalty. Every day they address their jobs with absolute pride and integrity.  Trinity Logistics is fortunate and blessed by every Agent Team Member, and we sincerely thank them for being a part of our family.  Agent Appreciation is not just one day to be celebrated, but a part of our culture here at Trinity forever.

Read more about our Freight Agent Program by clicking below.

Every year Trinity Logistics hosts a conference for their Authorized Agents. Part networking, part education, and with a little fun thrown in; this conference develops relationships within the Agent Network. They learn from one another and help each other grow, as well as hearing from industry experts.

Like everything else, 2020 changed this year’s conference. Due to the pandemic, the conference, which was planned to take place in New Orleans’s French Quarter, had to be cancelled. But Trinity never looks at situations with one lens. We’re always looking for creative ways to increase the level of success for our Agents. With this in mind,  We knew we had to find another way to get in front of our Agents, even if it couldn’t be our traditional conference.

“The relationships that our Corporate Team Members have with our Authorized Agents and that our Authorized Agents have with each other is what makes this company and our Agent Team so strong. After not being able to travel for the last 10 months and visit our Agent Offices as we usually do, having to cancel the conference, and the thought of not seeing some of our Agents this year wasn’t acceptable. We had to find another way,” said Trinity’s Director of Agent Services Jennifer Hoffman. 

With that in mind, the Agent Support Team came up with a plan to host our first ever Virtual Agent Conference. 

This approach to the Conference was a new project that had to be planned from scratch! We not only had to line up presenters and find great content but figure out the technology to put it all together.   

After a lot of hard work and learning, the conference launched to an active and engaged Authorized Agent Team on December 3rd! We had speakers from the industry such as renowned transportation economist Noel Perry, TIA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Burroughs, Trinity President Sarah Ruffcorn, other Trinity leaders, and even Platinum Level Agents who shared their stories and approach with other Agents. The conference was able to bring insight into today’s market, what to expect, and how to make the best of this ever-changing and growing industry. 

During the day agents interacted with one another, deepening relationships that were already in place and virtually meeting new people across three countries! There were celebrations throughout the conference as well. We awarded our annual Platinum Agent Awards, the highest honor for a Trinity Authorized Agent. This year was even more special because 2020 celebrated the 30th anniversary of Trinity’s Agent Division! 

While nothing replaces getting to see our Authorized Agents in person, this virtual approach allowed us to continue sharing the Guiding Values that make Trinity one of the best in the business. “I’m so proud that Trinity consistently looks for new and innovative ways to support our Agents,”…said Hoffman. 

If you would like to learn more about Trinity’s Agent program or how you can be a part of next year’s conference,

When asked about the key to the success of the Authorized Freight Agent Team at Trinity, our answer is always the same. Relationships. The Agent Support Team at the Corporate office is dedicated to building strong relationships with all of our Authorized Freight Agents, whether their office is in the next town over or across the country. These relationships have built friendships that can feel more like family, and bring a heavy investment in the success of our Freight Agent offices. 

However, it’s easy for us to say that we have great relationships with our Freight Agents, but why not hear directly from one of them? Get to know one of our Authorized Freight Agents – maybe you’ve seen her picture on the Authorized Freight Agent page of the Trinity Logistics website – Lyn Hollingsworth! By getting to know Lyn, you’ll gain some insight into the life of an Independent Freight Agent, what it takes to be a success in the industry, and a little about what it means to be an Authorized Freight Agent with Trinity Logistics. See how Lyn answered a few questions from our Director of Agent Services, Jen Hoffman. 

Conversation with Lyn Hollingsworth, Trinity Authorized Freight Agent

Jen: How long have you been in the industry?

Lyn: I started in the industry right out of college where I went to school for logistics, when I went to work for Preston Trucking. I started as a cost analyst, worked multiple roles, and was with them for 17 years until they closed their doors. Then I joined a small 3PL down in Florida for a few years. There were two men that ran the company and an office manager. When talking with them about the opportunity, they said I could work four or 12 hours a day, but the more business I brought in, the more money we’d all make. I thought, well, there’s a challenge and joined them! I was able to utilize a lot of my LTL contact from Preston Trucking and transitioned that to the truckload business. I was with them for about 15 years until the owners decided to retire and then my husband told me about a company he had heard of, Trinity Logistics, and I called them. I talked to Billy Banning, who was willing to take me and my customers on and it’s been great. I’ve only grown from there!

Jen: What was different about joining Trinity from your previous company?

Lyn: Well, it was funny because everything I had done with my previous company was through phone and fax. When I came to Trinity with their online system and all of their resources, my head just exploded! Before all I did was find the business and then the office manager moved the shipments. There was very little communication and I never knew when shipments were delivered! When I think about how we operated for those 15 years, it was much less professional than here at Trinity. I was so happy to come. Here and take o ownership of the entire job – sales and operations. I talk to dispatchers and drivers, track the shipments, and tell my customers exactly when their freight has been safely delivered. That constant communication builds trust with the customers and prevents problems.

Jen: So, did you always want to go into logistics? Was that always the plan?

Lyn: When I was in school, I had no idea that I would go into logistics. One of the required classes for Business Administration was a transportation class. I walked into this auditorium of 500 noisy people. The professor walked up to the microphone and started talking. Every eye in that auditorium turned to him and you could have heard a pin drop. That man was one of the most dynamic speakers that I have ever heard in my life. He took some of the driest material and made it extremely interesting. He taught us how to look up pricing using complicated tariff matrices. It was dry, but he made it fun. He was interested in what he taught and made it interesting for us. I ended up signing up for another class he taught, then another, and another, and ended up majoring in Transportation and Logistics because of this professor. At that time, Penn State was one of only a handful of schools that even offered that degree. It was brand new. I always wanted to send him a letter after I graduated telling him that he changed the course of my life with just how dynamic and enthusiastic he was about what he taught. 

Jen: You have worked as an employee for a transportation company and now as an Independent Freight Agent? What do you like, or don’t like, about being an Independent Freight Agent?

Lyn: Sometimes you can miss being around other people and sharing experiences when you work on your own. But there is nothing like not having interruptions when you are busy. You can get things done! I like being available 24/7 to my customers and carriers, they always have access to me. Coming from a company where I was only involved in sales, I prefer having control over both sales and operations.

Jen: How do you manage your business knowing that things can be very cyclical – even COVID aside – it can seem like all or nothing some days and hard to keep things consistent. How do you manage that with your customers?

Lyn: Well, pricing certainly has been cyclical over the past eight months. I’m lucky that most of the customers I have are not terribly price-sensitive. They understand when rates go up and hopefully come back down. I keep them informed about what’s going on and they understand.

Jen: Has it always been that way? That sounds like a relationship that is gained over time.

Lyn: I have worked with most of my customers for a long time. I give them dedicated service and I’m honest with them about rate trends, both up and down. Trust has been built up and they don’t shop around. That’s the only way I’ve been successful. Over the years there have been customers that I couldn’t offer competitive pricing to and they have matriculated away. But service and trust are the biggest factors with the customers that I work with.

Jen: What would you say is your favorite thing about working in this industry? Working with Trinity?

Lyn: I’d have to say the positivity of both. It’s absolutely rewarding to talk with my customers, Trinity Team members, and to talk with drivers because I always have a good time. I’m really glad when drivers pick up my shipments. I’m really glad when they call me for check calls and delivery. I tell them how awesome they are and it’s contagious. When I talk with my customers, I thank them for their shipments. Even if they are only giving me one or two shipments a week, I tell them how much I appreciate them. Then when they call me, they are in that same mood – just that same generous, hopeful, and positive spirit. All, okay, most of my customers are really fun to work with and I think they appreciate that they can call me on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and get a truck within an hour. I would definitely say that the positivity is my favorite part. I don’t have a bad day. 

Jen: What does a typical day look like for you in business?

Lyn: There are no typical days. Some are slow and some days are so busy that I don’t leave my desk at all until 8:00 at night. Probably the hardest part of the job is having no idea what tomorrow is going to look like, so it’s hard to plan. Can I relax or am I going to be glued to my desk? It’s a tough question to answer.

Jen: If you weren’t a Freight Agent, what would you be?

Lyn: I don’t really know. I like to think that I’d be teaching somewhere.

Jen: And from what I know about you Lyn, you would be that professor to change someone’s life!

Interested in becoming an Authorized Freight Agent with Trinity?

Are you an independent freight agent? Get ahead of the game. Request For Pricing (RFP) season is fast approaching. Imagine if you had a dedicated team that worked to give you in-depth pricing analysis and guidance when submitting long-term pricing.Trinity’s Pricing and Procurement Team does all of this. You have 100 lanes? 1,000 lanes? No problem. Our Team can do the heavy lifting that can come with any RFP.

We know that capacity will continue to be challenging in 2021. How do you combat this, come out on top, and thrive? Carriers have trusted Trinity for over 40 years because of our people-centric approach, transparency, strong brand recognition, and reputation. In today’s freight business you must have cutting edge tools that give you instant access to in-house and external carrier networks. Trinity Logistics does this and more.

In this industry we realize the importance of speed, urgency, and efficiency in your business. It is imperative that you are getting what you need in the time that you need it, right? That is why we have streamlined the new carrier and new customer credit processes to ensure your business continues to move forward. Waiting hours or days for an approval can severely diminish, if not completely eliminate, the opportunity for you to land a new customer or foster a new carrier relationship. The last thing that you want to hear is, “Sorry, we could not wait to hear back from you and went with another offer”.  

At Trinity Logistics, we have in-house experts that will guide you through new service offerings and opportunities for your business to be able to grow. You will have access to Trinity’s operational support teams to handle LTL, Intermodal, Expedited, Air, and other non-traditional freight modes to further enhance your abilities with your customers.  Putting you in a position to be a trusted advisor to your customer is our focus. This can open up an entirely new stream of income for your business.  

At Trinity Logistics our operational support takes a personal approach to your success.  We are determined to help you build a business that not only is predictable but can be duplicated over and over again. We are vested in your success and get to know your business inside and out through our dedicated Agent Support Team. If you are open to seeing an impact to your bottom line in 2021, don’t wait, connect with us now.

Author: Rich Clark

Have you been wanting to up the ante with your customers by offering them the best services you can? Are you not wanting to add any extra fees for necessary technology? What kind of technology for freight agents does Trinity Logistics provide their network?

At Trinity Logistics, we provide our network of Authorized Agents with the use of our operating systems and other technology at no additional costs. These include access to DAT and Truckstop.com, LTL operating software with a pricing tool, and portals for your customers and carriers. Additionally, our Agent Support team provides training on our technology so that you know how to use it.

Continue reading to learn more about the technology our Authorized Agents have access to when joining our network.

Access to DAT and Truckstop.com

Having access to leading load boards is crucial to your success in this industry. DAT and Truckstop.com provide load boards that help you find trucks faster, price shipments, and open up capacity. Gaining full access to these boards comes with a heavy price for smaller agencies. When working with Trinity, you don’t have to pay a dime for them. Some of these systems offer load board access but also resources, like DAT’s BookNow feature and current industry information. With Trinity, you will receive access to operating systems that provide you with the data needed to keep your operations running smoothly.

Less-Than-Truckload Operating Software

Manual processes can be so time-consuming. Utilizing an easy-to-use system to manage your less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments can make those processes faster and more efficient. With Trinity, you’ll have free use of Banyan Technology for your LTL shipments. Your business will have the ability to compare and secure quotes, oversee the end-to-end movement of your customer’s freight, and exchange reporting information with your customer. You’ll gain exclusive access to Banyan’s Live Lane Specials, Ground Freight Pricing, and proper training to use the system.

Trinity can open up access to you within Banyan so you can completely self-service your LTL needs – from quoting to booking to tracking and documents. Banyan serves its customers through the most up-to-date technology.

Customer and Carrier Portals

We like to keep our customers and carriers connected and up-to-date on their services. Through the use of the Customer Portal, customers can track their loads, view and pay their invoices online, and request new rate quotes. In the Carrier Portal, view exclusive Trinity shipments not yet posted to external load boards, bid on loads, post their available equipment, and track their payment status.

If these tools weren’t already enticing, Trinity strives to provide best-in-class technology. We are always evaluating technologies so we can ensure that we are providing the best for our shippers, carriers, Team Members, and Authorized Agents. Recently, our Technology Team has been hard at work launching our new CRM. This new CRM will offer enhanced data, reporting, sales pipeline management, and full customer management tools while being easy to use.

Technology Training

Trinity provides our Authorized Agents with the resources needed to be successful while providing support every step of the way. Our Agent Support Team offers thorough training on current and upcoming technology, sales training and refreshers, and technology updates, all to ensure your success. Did we mention it’s all free?

Trinity Logistics takes pride in being a leading name in the Authorized Agent community. Yet, our success wouldn’t be possible without the relationships we have with our Authorized Agents.

Continuous improvement is one of Trinity’s guiding values. It is applied across all boards, including with commitment to our Authorized Agent Network. When it comes to technology, we ensure that we maintain a competitive edge and provide the tools needed for the success of our Agents.

Looking to become part of the Trinity Logistics Authorized Agent family?

Trinity Logistics has a long history of celebrating the successes of our Authorized Agents – through sales awards, trips, and celebratory events. There is one award that encompasses all those rewards into one! The Platinum Agent designation.

The Agent Division of Trinity awards the Platinum Agent title to one of our Authorized Agent offices that have worked hard to excel in their field. Authorized Agents are acknowledged based on a system where they earn points. Points are earned for loyalty, year over year growth, and net revenue, which often is what accumulates the most points. Most Platinum Agents earned an annual net revenue of over $500,000!

Alongside the honor of receiving the award, Platinum Agents receive some extra perks. Each Platinum Agent receives a cash prize, as well as their airfare costs and full accommodations for two at the next Agent conference. They also get three more days of relaxing fun outside of the conference dates to enjoy. Each conference takes place at a different luxurious resort and city! Platinum Agents also receive an exclusive logo to use and show their status in the industry.

At the 2019 Agent Conference, 25 offices received the Platinum Agent designation. This represented a quarter of our total Authorized Agent offices. Some may wonder how this could happen. Well, we have a saying at Trinity…we are not trying to be the biggest, but the best! We provide the support and continuing education needed to grow an Agent’s business to the level that they want to achieve, with no limitations. Many of our new Authorized Agent offices have seen a growth of 25% in their first two years with Trinity. The Platinum Agent program showcases our commitment to an Authorized Agent’s growth even further.

Trinity Logistics is looking forward to awarding and celebrating this coming year’s Platinum Agents.