When evaluating freight agent programs, it can be challenging to know where to begin. There are several factors that experienced logistics professionals consider when choosing a freight agent program. Understanding those considerations can help agents looking for a new partnership or freight brokers contemplating growing their team. Notable factors include:
In this article, we will list, in no particular order, five of the best freight agent programs available today. Whether you are looking for a large company or that personal touch, there is something for everyone.
D&L Transport
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, D&L Transport has more than 75 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry.
Pros:
- 70% commission on every load.
- Option to earn up to 75% commission through year-end bonus program.
- Free access to load boards and TMS.
- Under five-minute response times for carrier set-ups, credit decisions, and answering agent questions.
- Top 1% credit rating; ensures agents are not responsible for bad debt.
- 50,000+ carriers in network.
Considerations:
- Not a top 50 freight brokerage; lack of buying power.
Logistics Dynamics, Inc (LDI)
Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, LDI puts a heavy emphasis on trust and teamwork. LDI offers agents a proprietary TMS that can link directly to client internal order management software via electronic data interchange (EDI). They also provide online customer and carrier portals and the option of electronic invoicing and payment.
LDI is clear about its agent requirements. According to their agent page, prospects must have a customer base of active shippers and manage the full life cycle of customer freight. Agents must also have access to basic office technology (computer, fax machine, phone, and high-speed internet). Lastly, they must be customer service minded with a winning attitude.
CEO Brian M. Maouad says, “What makes LDI so unique is our culture that is defined by trust, transparency, and teamwork.”
Pros:
- 50-70% commission split.
- Relatively small agent base and low customer saturation.
- Recently-launched LTL portal.
- 90,000+ carriers in network.
- Quick customer and carrier set-ups.
Considerations:
- Fees and charges associated with load boards.
- Load and profit margin minimums for agents.
Priority1
Priority1 is a leading logistics company founded in 1993. Their agent program offers individuals the opportunity to capitalize on the company’s strong reputation.
Pros:
- Priority1 offers highly competitive LTL rates.
- Premium corporate service and support.
- Agents can earn substantial commissions.
- No territory restrictions.
Considerations:
- Carriers must have six months of authority and at least one inspection before approval.
- Agents are paid every two to three weeks, potentially causing cash flow challenges.
- Some agents may face a monthly software fee upwards of $300 to access DAT and ITS.
Trinity Logistics
Founded in 1979, Trinity Logistics is headquartered in Seaford, Delaware. In 2019, Trinity Logistics became part of the Burris Logistics family. They are named 18th on the Top 100 Freight Brokerage Firms list in 2020.
Pros:
- 70% commission split.
- Proprietary TMS, CRM, customer portal, LoadEx price engine, and Banyan at no cost to agents.
- Listed as one of the top workplaces in Delaware.
- In-house training program affords opportunities for agents to continue their education and training on business strategy, industries, modes, sales, and other skill sets.
Considerations:
- Customer billing process recently outsourced.
Armstrong Transport Group, LLC
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with more than 140 agent offices and 450 logistics professionals nationwide, Armstrong’s culture is relaxed, but employees and agents work hard. Recognized as a 2020 Top 25 Freight Brokerage by Transport Topics, Armstrong customers, carriers, and agents are supported by a team of more than 75 corporate employees.
According to CEO Brian Mann, “The reason agents choose Armstrong is because we have a strong financial backing. We are like a start-up company with a steel foundation.”
Pros:
- Offer up to 75% commission splits.
- New agent bonuses up to $100,000.
- Proprietary TMS through in-house development with direct integrations to DAT and Truckstop load boards, EDI and Transflo.
- Real-time tracking for customers and agents provided through Macropoint and Project 44.
- Every agency has an assigned agent relationship manager, billing team, collections team, and executive team access.
Considerations:
- Non asset-based, which can be an issue for some customers/shippers.
While researching your next potential partnership will take time, consider networking with agents currently aligned with a brokerage to better understand the most meaningful evaluation factors and how those align with your career goals. According to Forbes, referred candidates tend to be a better culture fit than those hired through other sources.
Connect with Armstrong through LinkedIn or Facebook to tap into our network!
Want To Learn More?
Let our Agent Development team be an additional resource to you. Contact us to begin a conversation with one of our recruiters. They will be able to answer all of your questions, set up a technology demo, and help you calculate a new agent bonus. Or if you are ready for your next agency partnership, click below to begin your application process now!
