A transport company is the most profitable and reliable business. The demand for cargo transportation services is constantly growing, so it will bring high, stable profits. Before you open transport company from scratch, a novice entrepreneur must carefully study this area and become familiar with all the nuances of this business.

Types of companies

Before you draw up a business plan for a transport company and begin to implement it, you first need to decide on the direction of activity.

There are several types of transport companies:

• Organizations that deliver small cargo within one city;
• Companies that deliver goods to warehouses, stores, etc. At the same time, they can transport cargo both across the territory of our country and to the near abroad;
• Transportation of consolidated cargo. For these purposes, road trains are used, which carry out cargo transportation to different countries;
• Companies that work with industrial enterprises. They transport different types goods within the country. For this purpose, dump trucks, tractors and other equipment are used;
• Intermediary companies. Since such organizations do not have their own transport, they are engaged in searching for a cargo carrier company, preparing all the necessary accompanying documents and the financial component.

Registration of activities

If we talk about the form of taxation, the most best option- this is UTII. Its main advantage is that in this case you can connect up to 20 cars. For individual entrepreneur, the most favorable form of taxation is personal income tax. For intermediaries, it is better to choose a simplified tax. Before opening a transport company and making a final decision on the form of doing business, carefully consider all the features of its future activities.

Another important point is this bank account. This is especially true for those entrepreneurs who open a company on long term perspective. Many clients prefer to work non-cash payments, so without having a bank account, you may lose large customers.

Advantages and disadvantages of business

Some newcomers try to increase the profitability of a business at the formation stage through dumping, that is, they greatly reduce prices for services. Of course, their demand immediately increases, since it is much more profitable for clients to work with a new company than with its competitors. But in this case, financial costs increase significantly, and this can lead the company to bankruptcy.

To reduce the cost of cargo transportation, the following actions should be taken:

1. Replace light-duty vehicles with heavy-duty vehicles;
2. Set limits on the purchase of fuels and lubricants;
3. Do not send half-empty cars on a flight;
4. Buy your own forklift to avoid downtime.

Clear control of spending Money and competent organization of all business processes of a transport company will help you significantly reduce the cost of services. Thanks to this, the level of business profitability will significantly increase.

Freight transportation is a very popular business sector today. Transport companies will always be in the black if there is a need to transport goods or move. However, why do some companies go bankrupt? Simply because their owners initially pursued the wrong business policy. In the freight market, it is survival of the fittest, and that is a fact. But how not to become bankrupt and how to open a transport company from scratch? You will find out the answers to all these and many other questions in our article today.

Selecting a work plan

Before opening a transport company, you should determine a suitable work pattern. There are two options:

1. Organizing your own transport company with your own fleet of trucks. In this case, you can rent cars or purchase them in the required quantity, re-registering them to an individual or legal entity. In addition, if you expect a large share of cargo transportation, you should hire qualified workers (mainly drivers). If the company's budget is small, you can hire a driver with a personal car. This way you save not only time searching for suitable personnel, but also money on purchasing your own fleet of vehicles.
2. Providing forwarding services. In this case, your company turns into a freight dispatch service. The essence of her work is to find outsourced carriers. Thus, companies receive quite high profits. On average, they charge from 5 to 10 percent of the total cost of transportation (for 1 freight). And this is despite the complete absence of its own vehicle fleet and a minimum recruitment of working personnel. In general, the business is also very profitable.

How to open a transport company providing dispatch services? Pitfalls and more

The work pattern of a company providing forwarding services is quite simple: cargo owner - dispatcher - cargo carrier. What does it mean? The dispatch company connects the cargo owner with the carrier for the purpose of mutually beneficial cooperation. In this case, the forwarding company takes into account all the interests of these two parties.

How to recruit your carrier base?

In order to make a profit, the company must first have its own base of carriers, otherwise there will be no one to cooperate with. Here you can make a list of transport companies and private carriers - owners of freight transport.

Compose this database It is necessary in such a way that you can organize not only road types of cargo transportation, but also sea, air or rail. Most modern forwarding companies operate according to this scheme. However, at first you can try yourself in only one type of transportation (preferably, it should be road transport).

Documentation

All companies and drivers with whom you will cooperate must have a complete package of registration and permitting documents. An agreement should be concluded with the owner of the cargo transport, since without it the dispatch company will be responsible for the delivery and safety of the cargo. What should be included in this document? When drawing up a contract, pay attention to the following points:

1. Shipping Name.
2. Its mass.
3. Type of cargo transported.
4. Volume.
5. Loading/unloading area.
6. Type and number of the vehicle.
7. Penalties for failure to deliver (penalty).

At the bottom of the contract, indicate the signature and seal of both parties (the carrier and the dispatch company). Documents can be exchanged in several ways: by fax or by e-mail. Delivery of cargo can also be paid in several ways: in cash (upon loading/unloading) or by bank transfer.

In the latter case, payment is made within 7-14 banking days. But, as practice shows, money via bank transfer may not arrive even after a month (fortunately, this happens very rarely).

How to open a transport company for cargo transportation?

First of all, you will have to think about purchasing transport, since in this case you simply cannot do without it. How does a transport company work? The whole essence of your company’s work will be to search for orders (this can be done through the same dispatch services) and deliver goods in various directions.

Thus, trucks will be the main “gear” in the operation of the entire huge mechanism of the carrier company. Many start-up companies rent a fleet of vehicles. But if your company’s initial capital is large enough, it is best to buy your own trucks and not pay monthly rent, as in the previous case.

When the number of cars in your fleet is 15 or more, think about building your own service station or working closely with a specific company engaged in technical maintenance similar technology.

How to open an office?

Where exactly your office will be located does not matter. And if you decide to equip it, be sure to connect a multi-line telephone to it. Next, you should think about purchasing furniture, office equipment and connecting to the Internet. In general, an office for such a company that delivers goods is not a mandatory aspect.

Most often it is needed by dispatch companies that simply do not have their own fleet of vehicles. If you are a private carrier, open a website instead of an office. There you can indicate all detailed information about your company, tariffs, and also post photos of your fleet. This way you will definitely interest the customer who will want to cooperate with your company.

Company staff

When drawing up a business plan for a transport company, it is impossible not to touch upon the problem of employing employees in your company. Is it even worth hiring people for your company? The question is very ambiguous. And the exact answer to it depends on the scale of transportation and the number of units of equipment. Agree, why hire a dozen people if you only have one car.

The transport business is becoming increasingly popular, both among consumers and in the business environment. The demand for these services is constantly growing, and due to the development of online commerce, transport companies have many new regular customers. Becoming the owner of a transport company is not the easiest task, since this type of activity has a high threshold for entry and experience in freight forwarding and logistics companies. How to open a transport company from scratch for a beginner?

Logistics, as a business, has undoubted advantages over most other types of activity. The transport company does not require licenses and is considered strong in financially and has less risk of going bankrupt. In this regard, quite fierce competition has developed in this environment, and a newcomer to this market will need a competent approach and the ability to make decisions quickly and efficiently.

Business registration

Before you open a transport company for the transportation of goods, you need to settle legal formalities. This type entrepreneurship requires registration legal entity, or PBOYUL ( entrepreneurial activity without forming a legal entity).

Opening a closed joint stock company or open joint stock company is a promising option that will allow you to seriously expand. But these forms require the preparation of many certificates and permits. PBOYUL will have to pay additional taxes. Therefore, a more profitable and convenient option is an LLC.

To resolve all formalities for registering a transport business in the form of an LLC, it is recommended to contact specialists who will eliminate long queues, errors and misunderstandings. It is important to remember that an LLC requires a Charter, start-up capital and a bank account.

Selecting a room

When forming a new LLC, a lease agreement must be concluded with the owner of the premises - the office address must become the legal address of the enterprise. In addition to the office, storage space will be required.

The premises do not need luxurious renovation, but they should still look decent. An important requirement is compliance with fire and sanitary inspection standards. The office is the face of the company, so it needs a presentable appearance and a stylish interior.

Warehouses are clean and dry, equipped with showers and eating areas. Statistics show that the success of opening a freight transport company is 70% dependent on warehouse workers. Therefore, their working conditions must be provided with proper comfort.

Equipment

The transport business needs new, high-quality equipment. Not only the success of the company, but also the safety of employees depends on this. Low-quality or used equipment often runs the risk of falling into disrepair and increasing the entrepreneur’s expenses.

Necessary equipment and special equipment for a transport company warehouse:

• rokla - one for each warehouse worker;
• forklift – one per warehouse;
• consumables - tape, stretch tape, etc.

Cars for cargo transportation are expensive transport. It is more profitable to start a business by negotiating with car owners. It is convenient if the owner of the vehicle agrees to work as a driver on it. For an entrepreneur, this means less responsibility, since the driver-owner of the car will be responsible for all possible damage or loss of cargo on the road.

Office equipment

In addition to the warehouse, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to office work. This room performs not only a representative function for clients. The office should house dispatchers who will monitor the work of drivers. For control rooms and for receiving clients, the premises will require:

• computers and office equipment;
• tables and chairs;
• landline and mobile phones. It is desirable to have 2 fixed lines;
• walkie-talkie for communication with drivers.

Company personnel

Opening a freight transport company from scratch is not an easy task. It’s good if the entrepreneur has experienced employees on his staff who can give advice and take on some of the management functions. You can also assign different functions to some workers, so that at first you can limit yourself to a small staff. It is important not to overdo it with diversity, so as not to reduce the effectiveness of employees.

The company will require the following employees on a permanent basis:

• Dispatcher – 2 people. Dispatchers take orders, issue vouchers for drivers, and keep in touch with them during trips.
• Drivers - 2 people per car if long trips are planned. Drivers must have the required driving categories and have experience driving trucks.
• Mechanic - one person on staff. His task is to service cars and special equipment.
• Warehouse worker – 2 people.
• Advertising manager - to find clients and promote the company.
• An accountant – in this case, is required regularly; consulting services will cost more. An accountant's responsibilities include calculating employee payroll.

How to get clients?

A business such as a freight transport company is itself popular and in demand among clients. But at the initial stage, the business will need promotion. The Internet is now recognized as the main way to disseminate information about the provision of services. How to offer your services online:

• create your own website;
• place advertisements on free bulletin boards;
• monitor online demand for freight transportation services;
• send letters from commercial offers by addresses potential clients.

Costs and payback

As a business, a transport company requires serious start-up capital. Before you start opening a business, you should carefully calculate all possible expenses. These include:

• rental and renovation of premises;
• Payment of utility services;
• staff salaries;
• purchase necessary equipment;
• purchase of spare parts for special equipment;
• payment of taxes;
• gasoline and other automotive fluids.

Without purchasing vehicles for transportation, the average cost of starting a business will be at least 1,200 thousand rubles. Purchasing vehicles will significantly increase these costs. In addition, experts say that more quick payback what you should expect from the cargo transportation business when renting a car.

Income

The profitability of a business depends on the number of cars in the fleet and the availability of orders. With proper business promotion, right organized work and minimized losses, the average profit from one machine per month will be 30 thousand rubles. If you have 2 cars, the business will pay off no earlier than in 1.5 - 2 years. The profitability of the business is recognized as high: it amounts to up to 40% of total revenue.

The transport business is very profitable investment for your capital. Today, cargo transportation is in demand more than ever: consumer demand for a wide variety of goods is constantly growing, as a result of which supply is also growing. Large manufacturers organize mainly wholesale supply. And here small wholesale, retail and numerous online markets – regular customers transport companies. But, of course, in order to organize a competitive business, you should thoroughly study the area in which you plan to work.

At the initial stages, you will have to place all the main organizational activities on your shoulders. Of course, if you initially do not have at hand a smart assistant with a good reputation and experience in senior positions in freight forwarding and logistics companies. Such you need a partner like air. If you fail to find a consultant experienced in this area, it is better to postpone your venture for a while - there is a high probability of “flunking” everything at the very beginning. But, if you are determined to create a logistics business, then we will consider how to open your own transport company step by step.

Features of the transport business

The essence of logistics is the development of optimal transportation routes, including time for driver rest, refueling, and any circumstances that “slow down” the process that may arise along the way. The forwarding department constantly supervises the process, monitoring the location of each machine, collecting information and ensuring that customers are completely satisfied with the service provided to them. The undoubted advantages in the transport business are:

• no need to obtain a license;
• “start” and the initial stages of business development will not require too large financial investments;
• “buoyancy” and “strength”;
• according to statistics, among transport companies bankruptcy rate is one of the lowest, since after the first and second waves of the crisis, representatives of this market segment recovered very quickly.

Opening a transport company from scratch - what the owners say similar business? The video below provides the answer.

Company registration

Majority transport companies registered as CJSC (closed joint stock companies), LLC, OJSC, as well as PBOYUL(entrepreneur without legal entity formation). Each of these organizational and legal forms has its own disadvantages and advantages. Under PBOYUL there is a value added tax.

Joint-stock companies are an excellent form for creating a business with the prospect of serious expansion, but in order to open an OJSC (and even more so, a CJSC), you must go through many very complex procedures involving tedious paperwork and obtaining tons of certificates. Therefore, the optimal form for today is considered an LLC, which is preferred by many entrepreneurs, owning a variety of companies.

By the way, you can also purchase a ready-made company, but in this case you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the object of purchase, identify the pitfalls and possible hidden reasons why this business is being sold.

Registration can be completed much easier if you seek help from a reliable company that provides legal support services. This way you will avoid unwanted mistakes, fuss, conflict situations, queuing. Before choosing such an assistant company, make sure of its integrity, experience and competence. Among other things, you will be required to deposit start-up capital and open a business bank account.

Selection of premises

The office space will not only be the legal address of the enterprise (in connection with which a lease agreement will be required between the owner of the space and the newly formed company), but will also be the “face” of your company, which should not be forgotten. Not necessary, It’s not even desirable for the office to be “drenched in luxury,” but it should look decent: a simple European-quality renovation and new office equipment, as well as an impressive plasma or projector in the presentation room - this is the required minimum.

Warehouses must be spacious and comply with all safety standards: fire, sanitary, labor protection, etc. That is, the floors must be non-slippery, perfectly level (without cracks or holes), the ramps must be comfortable and appropriate for the height of the vehicle. It would be nice to equip warehouses with electric lifting ramps.

You must take into account that the operation of a warehouse is 70% of the success of a transport company. This means that the conditions for workers should be as comfortable as possible - a dining room with a microwave and a kettle, the availability of cold water, a shower with cold and hot water - many entrepreneurs “forget” about this, not wanting to take into account that the times of feudal lords are long over and earning capital on health and humiliation of ordinary workers sooner or later lead to collapse.

Equipment

It's best to buy new. This way, you will be sure that in case of any problems during the warranty period, they will fix everything or send you a new one. As Winston Churchill once said: “I am not rich enough to buy cheap things.” You can’t argue with this - of course, you need to save, but priority should still be placed on quality. On average, new rockla (hydraulic trolley) will cost you 7,500 - 9,000 rubles. You should ideally have 1 such device for each warehouse worker.

In addition, regardless of the size of the warehouse, you will need a forklift capable of handling pallets. New costs about 500,000 rubles. See for yourself here - if it’s expensive, you can buy a used one in excellent condition. But then, when purchasing, take with you a specialist who will properly inspect the car.

It is not necessary to buy a loader right away, but it is highly advisable. The fact is that one of your potential clients may need to transport something too heavy. Unloading something like this manually is impossible, but using a rocker is extremely difficult and risks breaking it, as well as damaging the cargo itself. Therefore, a loader machine will greatly simplify and speed up work.

Make sure that there is always a sufficient amount of consumables in the warehouse - stretch tape and adhesive tape; saving on them is not advisable, but keep strict records to avoid theft. As for cars, transport companies usually enter into contracts with the owners trucks, who are often part-time drivers. Thus, transportation is generously paid, but responsibility for possible damage to the vehicle and cargo on the road rests with the owner of the vehicle.

Personnel and promotion

First time you can limit yourself to a minimum staff, combining several functions at once for each of the employees. In order to save money and gain invaluable experience, I myself The owner of the company can initially assume several important functions. But keep in mind that if your employees are overloaded with multidisciplinary work, this will significantly reduce the efficiency of their work.

It is advisable to give preference to specialists with work experience, even in related fields and not in leadership positions. Bookkeeping is too important a task, so you can’t entrust it to an amateur. It’s not a bad idea to use the services of an audit company, but it’s much better to find an intelligent specialist yourself.

Depending on your creative abilities, connections and financial capabilities, you can completely entrust the function of promoting your business to a reputable advertising agency, or try to do this personally, limiting yourself to ordering professional advertisers to develop the “face” and style of your brand.

Possible problems

Beginning transport companies often face the following obstacles:

Theft. You must be confident in your “backbone” - the employees with whom you are starting a business. In addition, a control system should be provided - CCTV cameras, security, personal audits of accounting, regular maintenance of reporting documentation.

Service. Clients may be dissatisfied with the quality of services. Especially at the development stage, things can often go wrong. Cargo delays, causing damage to the client. This process must be controlled rudeness on the part of the staff should not be tolerated, every client should be satisfied– the reputation of the enterprise directly depends on this.

Control carrier. It is advisable that cars be equipped with GPS systems.

Quality transportation The cargo must be compactly and securely stowed. To achieve this, warehouse workers must always have a sufficient number of Supplies and proper equipment. It is necessary to establish the level of permissible “breakage” of the cargo and remove the difference from wages employees to encourage them to do quality work.

Also install average monthly battle percentage– in case of good performance, employees should be rewarded. At the same time, you should take into account: if you introduce a system of fines, it should not be overly harsh, and besides, salaries should be high enough - otherwise you will never achieve even half the effective and high-quality work