Benefits of a freight forwarder community

Today, forwarding companies rely on a freight forwarder community to build good relationships with their freight partners and thus achieve better business opportunities.

Collaboration is one of the key ingredients for success in this industry, and that’s where freight forwarding communities come into play.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the benefits of a freight forwarding community, exploring what these communities are and some things you should know before joining one.

Understanding freight forwarding communities

In the ever-evolving landscape of global trade, freight forwarding has emerged as a crucial link that bridges the gap between manufacturers and consumers playing a pivotal role in ensuring seamless and efficient movement of goods across borders.

However, in an era defined by connectivity and collaboration, freight forwarding has evolved beyond individual efforts.

In simple terms, a freight forwarding community or freight forwarder network is an established group of forwarders who work together to improve the quality of freight forwarding, logistics, and customs brokerage services.

These communities can be virtual or physical platforms where professionals involved in the logistics industry interact with each other according to established guidelines to promote their companies and increase their business generation by connecting with other members.

What is the difference between a digital forwarder network and a traditional network?

A digital freight forwarder network and a traditional network differ primarily in their technological foundation, processes, and capabilities.

Basically, a digital forwarder network (such as Parnity – the Evolution of Forwarder Networks) offers tools to optimize business generation between its members and use technology to improve the quality of what traditional logistics networks have offered.

In summary, a digital logistics network leverages cutting-edge technologies to optimize and streamline processes, enhance data visibility and analytics, automate tasks, and improve overall efficiency and customer experience. 

Traditional logistics networks, on the other hand, rely on manual processes and have limitations in terms of speed, accuracy, and adaptability to changing market conditions.

Why become part of a freight forwarder network?

Working with a forwarder who is a member of a freight forwarder network can bring unique benefits to your company when it comes to shipping goods internationally.

Through effective collaboration, companies can secure competitive advantages in logistics and increase their success at the same time.

These networks are developed to enable independent freight forwarders to compete to some extent with the big international players and to give them more conditions to do so.

Freight forwarders who are members of these communities have the possibility to create strong connections with the other members and can obtain a wide range of business opportunities from them. 

Being part of a forwarding community is perhaps the most effective way to acquire new forwarding partners, increase business, and provide forwarders with many other advantages.

Advantages of being part of a freight forwarding community

1. Global presence:

Most forwarders networks have a broad and worldwide presence which makes it easier to make new freight forwarding partnerships, allowing forwarders to expand their business to other countries and cities. 

2. It brings forwarders closer:

Once you are not part of a freight forwarder network, finding new forwarder partners can be challenging and take quite a while. 

By joining a logistics network you will have a list of forwarder partners available for you to consult and partner within a matter of minutes.

3. Qualified forwarder members:

Being a member of a logistics network is not as easy as it might seem, it requires freight forwarders to submit certain documents in order for them to be accepted in the network and be available for other forwarders to see.

The main purpose of this step is to give forwarders members of the network more safety that they will be quoting only qualified and verified forwarders. 

4. More business opportunities:

Once you are a member of a logistics network you are able to find new freight forwarding companies in order to make new partnerships and, therefore make more business. 

Along with that, be found by other forwarders in different countries and receive new quotations that lead to new business opportunities.

5. Annual forwarder meetings:

Usually, the logistics networking events (annual meetings) are events that happen annually for members to get to know each other and make new business connections.

Logistics events offer the perfect opportunity for forwarders to share insights and knowledge in a focused forum and learn about the challenges and trends the freight industry is facing. 

PRO TIP: Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the most awaited in-person conference: Parnity Xchange – our upcoming event will take place on February 1 to 3, 2024 in Las Vegas.

Things to consider before choosing a forwarder network

Freight forwarders have always struggled to find qualified forwarder partners to work with.

For that reason, many freight companies choose to participate in networks due to the validation process forwarders have to pass to be a part of it. 

The validation process in logistics networks gives the forwarders more safety to partner with new forwarders.

However, the analysis that logistics networks do to allow a forwarder in will not always indicate that a forwarder is the right choice for you.

For that reason, the best option is always to make your own analysis and make your decision based on what you think is best for your company’s needs.

Here are a few things that you should know about potential freight partners (and that they will probably want to know about you):

• the logistics certifications – they show more reliability;
• if it is listed or not on FDRS; 
• where is the office located;
• the services offered;
• payment method; 
• possible difficulties;
• rules and regulations of the shipping area;
• agreement related to profit-share policy;
• guideline for operations, etc.

Therefore, when choosing a freight forwarder community make sure to choose one that offers you all the data you need to choose your next forwarder partners and gives you the power of the decision. 

Besides that, don’t forget that if you’re looking for certain criteria in a freight forwarder before closing a partnership, they will also be looking out for specific things in your forwarding company.

Remember that potential partners can find your forwarder’s profile within the logistics network you are part of. 

So, when joining a logistics network, prefer the one where you have the opportunity to best present your freight forwarder and thus attract new partners and customers.

Make sure to add to your profile not only the basic information about your forwarder (such as a brief company presentation, the services you offer, and key company contacts) but also all the other information you would want to have access to when accessing a potential partner’s profile.

For example, in Parnity, beyond the basic information, forwarders can also attach to their profile the company’s presentation and any other relevant presentations that they would like other forwarders to see.

Parnity members can also share photos and videos of their team, the freight they have handled, or even advertisements.

Last but not least, they can submit certifications to be validated and added to their profile.

Which freight forwarder community is right for you?

Choosing to be part of a community, as a strategy to increase your business opportunities, is highly recommended to achieve freight forwarder success. 

When selecting a forwarder network, the choice can have a profound impact on your business’s growth and success. 

Keep in mind that you must always think about what makes more sense to your freight forwarding company’s needs. 

Another option to make the decision of being part of a logistics network is to ask your forwarder partners if they are a part of one and if they like it, you can also take that into consideration.

Still unsure which logistics network best meets the needs of your forwarding business? Take our quiz and find out which network is ideal for you!