TransCore has released the findings of its first annual broker benchmark survey based on customer feedback. The data offers an industry overview with benchmarks focusing on broker operations, business and financials, as well as staffing. This research is the first in a series that will be released throughout the year by TransCore to share relevant information with its constituencies.
Responses were generated from a variety of companies. Nearly half (47 percent) have five or fewer employees, and are predominantly self-employed. Of those, 48 percent exclusively provide broker services, with an additional 28 percent classified as broker/carriers. Throughout the past three years, 45 percent averaged $1 million to $5 million in revenue. Study highlights revealed that carrier and personnel account for 82 percent of operating costs, and almost half attribute approximately 75 percent of overall costs to carrier expenses.
Analysis further indicates that TL loads comprised a majority of responders' businesses (78 percent), with gross margin averaging 15.8 percent. Most loads originated from long-term relationships with suppliers. A large number of responders (75 percent) indicated that they expect intermodal shipments, which are now just five percent of the average load mix, to increase or remain flat in 2008. It was also shown that 64 percent of those surveyed have health insurance and 45 percent offer retirement or pension plans.
The entire report is available at www.3sixty.transcore.com or by phoning (800) 529-7634.
