The Basics

5 Essential Questions

One of the greatest compliments we’ve ever received: “You took the time to ask about our business. You didn’t start by telling us what you can do for us.”

Not least, we appreciate this because it reflects our approach to how we do business.

We know that no two loads are the same. Even if it the same movement of freight ⏤ same inventory, same driver, same pickup, same drop-off ⏤ countless variables inform each move. Road conditions. Weather. Rate fluctuations. New workers on the shipping or receiving team.

So, Team NATCO asks a lot of questions.

We also want our customers to be well informed, and we have five basic questions for them to keep in mind before selecting a carrier:

1. COMPLIANCE.
Does the company know the specific federal and state regulations to deliver safely and legally into and through any given state, or multiple states?

2. KNOWLEDGE.
Does the company know the difference between types of trailers, including double-drop RGNs, reefers, flatbeds, and dry vans?

3. EXPERIENCE.
Does the company have a history of handling my type of shipment? Does it have experience with commodities, construction, Hazmat, oil, gas?

4. COMMUNICATION.
Is the company prompt and straightforward in phone calls, text messages, emails regarding delivery windows, offloading scenarios, payment methods?

5. TRANSPARENCY.
Is the company sharing accurate, honest information about the market? Does it proactively share news about fluctuations in fuel, bottleneck delays, availability?

Each of these issues are essential to establishing and deepening trust between a legitimate third-party logistics company and its customers.

We know that our 90% rate of repeat business is based to a great extent on how we demonstrate our approach to each of these five key areas.