Is procuring truckload transportation any different from the procurement activities of other corporate functions or industries?
The answer is yes. Which begs the second question: why does it matter? There are at least two reasons why it is beneficial to be aware of these differences. First, understanding the nature of buying truckload transportation helps you to make more informed purchasing decisions. Second, the knowledge can be used to educate the procurement profession about the unique demands of the truckload industry.
The latter point is particularly relevant when a centralized procurement function that is responsible for streamlining all purchasing activities is involved. This has become more important over recent years as companies have widened the jurisdiction of procurement departments in an effort to cut costs in every corner of the enterprise.
