Over the past few weeks logging onto the website Freight Match has revealed a countdown to the launch of a new service linking carriers and those requiring cartage. From day one the invitation to register interest in Freightmatch has created considerable attention in trucking and already a long list of carriers, many of those large and high-profile companies in road transport, has been compiled.

Freightmatch is designed, as the name suggests, to align all types of haulage with companies running to various destinations, matching operating equipment with the freight task. Hugh McDougall is the young man behind the idea and while he has limited experience in the world of general cartage he is acutely aware of the need to achieve optimal utilisation of road transport equipment.

Hugh grew up on a farm in the Gippsland region and a necessary adjunct to the rural activities of raising sheep and cattle has always been trucks to handle stock transport and hay cartage. The McDougall family owns a Mack Vision 470 coupled to a double deck crate, a vehicle Hugh has spent some time operating alongside his father. It didn’t take him long to do the sums and make a conscious economic decision to eliminate empty running of the family’s Mack, but like most in transport he found return loads were not always easy to find. So he did something about it.

“The truck always seemed to be running empty one-way and I realised there had to be avenues available to find a load and increase both productivity and profitability,” Hugh says.

“If you look at Australia, there are a huge number of trucks going into unfamiliar territory on a daily basis, areas where they do not usually work, plus there are operators who need to promote their services to potential customers and increase business.

“The same goes for people seeking road transport services. They’ll have freight to be moved but little idea how to engage the services of a carrier going to the required destination with the necessary accreditation, insurance cover and the equipment able to carry out the task.”

Freightmatch was born following an eight20 month gestation of research and fine-tuning, resulting in an internet-based system allowing transport operators to list services, routes of operation and details, including accreditation and insurance. Those requiring transport can simply go to the website, locate a carrier meeting requirements and make suitable arrangements.

“There is no charge to put loads on the website and a commission is only applied once the load and transport company are matched. Also, we offer a customer service over the phone for those without access to a computer,” says Hugh, making good use of his business degree.

“The aim was to make using the entire freight matching task as simple as possible, allowing people to do it themselves. Increasing efficiency is what Freightmatch is all about. I would like it to be regarded as the first point of call when freight is to be moved around the country and judging by the interest already created, which has far exceeded my expectations, I am confident this will be the case.”

Hugh regards the customer service number as essential despite the ease of internet usage, due to the fact that both transport operators and customers may have specific questions regarding loads.

“This phone access gives the opportunity to talk to real people, to gain further information if required. In many cases there will be specific questions regarding the freight or, in the case of unusual consignments, the equipment required to complete the transport task seamlessly and without hold-up. The aim is to provide a comprehensive service that covers all bases and sees every facet of the freight task carried out as efficiently as possible.

“Accreditation is extremely important today, as many customers demand carriers meet requirements in a number of areas such as fatigue, maintenance or mass management. We have endeavoured to attract transport companies with a high degree of compliance, to ensure customer needs are met.

“Really, the major focus of the Freightmatch service has been on providing a listing of all loads available, destination, pick-up and delivery times, size of consignments, and specific needs such as specialised load restraint requirements, all coupled with the accreditation required under Chain of Responsibility legislation,” Hugh advises.

Hugh McDougall did his homework prior to the official Freightmatch launch, speaking with road transport operators to ascertain their specific needs when it comes to freight movement and locating loading. The ‘Got trucks? Find freight!’ slogan has become a talking point in the industry and considering the increasing number of trucking companies already listed, recognition is growing across the country.

Freight Match is an online match making service for transport operators and people needing goods shipped within Australia. Created primarily to be an easy to use site that will provide customers and clients with quick and simple access to a wide network of operators and suppliers across Australia. The end result is increased efficiencies of your business while proving to be a valuable online resource for all of your haulage and transport needs.

To stay ahead of the competition, Freight Match uses the latest server and client side Web 2.0 methodologies and technologies, of which has produced a pleasing result both for the customer and the administrator staff. One of the key features of this site is the flexible “questioning” feature used to capture data from the user and ensures data santisation before any requests are submitted. Administrators or Agents can modify these questions on the fly. Also the site uses a powerful Ranking System similar to eBay which allows users to rate one another after a transaction is complete.

We hope you enjoy the newest addition to our showcase and wish Freight Match and it’s partners a successful future ahead.