Are you thinking of starting your own trucking company? You’re not alone—over the last few years, there’s been a boom in the number of trucking companies being started up. Here are five reasons why you should join the ranks of trucking company entrepreneurs.
High Demand
Thanks to e-commerce, the demand for trucking services has never been higher. Online shopping has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of packages delivered, which has created a need for more truck drivers to transport those goods. If you start a trucking company, you’ll be able to take advantage of this growing demand and capitalize on it. Here are other reasons why trucking is such on-demand lately.
Growing Need for Construction Materials
The construction industry is booming and is now worth over a trillion dollars! So there’s a growing demand for the materials needed to build houses, office buildings, and other structures. Those materials must be transported from construction sites to warehouses, where trucking companies come in. If you start a trucking company, you can provide an essential service to the construction industry and profit from it.
Privatized Logistics
The government is increasingly contracting trucking companies to transport goods and materials. The government is the largest customer of trucking services in the United States. So if you start a trucking company, you could have a lucrative government contract as one of your clients.
Expanding Retail Industry
The retail industry is also booming, thanks to the growth of e-commerce. Online shopping has resulted in more warehouse space to store goods, and trucking companies must transport those goods from warehouses to retail stores. If you start a trucking company, you can take advantage of this growing industry and profit from it.
Be Your Boss
One of the biggest attractors of starting a trucking company is that you’ll be your boss. As the owner of a trucking company, you’ll have the autonomy to make all the decisions and run the business exactly as you see fit. This freedom can be highly motivating and allow you to build a successful company that reflects your values and vision.
Low Entry Level
The barriers to starting a trucking company are relatively low compared to other businesses. You won’t need to invest millions or hire hundreds of employees. Often, you only need yourself and a truck to start. Here are some essentials you need when starting a trucking business.
Growing at Your Own Pace
Another advantage of owning a trucking company is growing at your own pace. If you want to keep things small and simple, you can do that—but if you eventually want to expand, nothing stops you from doing so. You can add more trucks and drivers to your fleet as your business grows and demand for your services increases.
Single Truck
Some of the biggest trucking companies started their businesses with a single truck. If you have the drive and ambition, you can too. Here are some of the best trucks on the market right now:
- Volvo VNL: The Volvo VNL is a versatile and reliable long-haul truck that’s comfortable for drivers to operate. It has many features that help reduce fatigue, including an ergonomic interior and adaptive cruise control.
- Freightliner Cascadia: The Freightliner Cascadia is a fuel-efficient truck that’s also comfortable and easy to operate. It has a spacious interior and plenty of storage space for drivers.
- Peterbilt 579: The Peterbilt 579 is a stylish long-haul truck known for being reliable and efficient. It has a spacious interior and many driver-friendly features, such as a hands-free phone system.
The average cost of a truck is around $100,000. But you don’t necessarily need to buy a new truck—you can also lease one or purchase a used truck.
A Reliable Trailer
You also need a trailer to go with your truck. Again, investing in a reliable aluminum cargo trailer is good because it can ensure that your cargo is protected from the elements. Another benefit of this kind of trailer is that it’s lightweight, which can help you save on fuel costs.
The average cost of a cargo trailer is around $5,000. But you can also lease a trailer or purchase a used one.
Insurance
Lastly, you need to get insurance for your trucking business. This is essential because it will protect you from liability in an accident. In addition, getting cargo insurance to protect your goods in case of damage or loss is also a good idea.
The average cost of trucking insurance is around $4,000 per year. But this cost will vary depending on the size and scope of your business.
Rewarding
Last but not least, it’s important to mention that starting a trucking company can be a gratifying business venture—both financially and emotionally. Not only can you make a good living as the owner of a successful trucking company, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you built something from scratch and that you’re helping keep the economy moving by transporting essential goods across the country (or even internationally!).
Trucking is one of the biggest industries in the country, and there’s a lot of opportunity for growth. So if you’re thinking of starting your own trucking company, keep these advantages in mind—they might be the motivation you need to get started.
