In their own words:
We are a women-owned and operated freight brokerage dedicated to connecting shippers with reliable carriers to ensure fast, efficient, and cost-effective transportation solutions. By leveraging industry-leading technology and market insights, we streamline logistics, optimize supply chains, and deliver exceptional service. Whether it’s full truckload, LTL, or specialized freight, we pride ourselves on being a trusted partner, providing transparency, reliability, and seamless communication every step of the way. To see the full story, visit ccslogistics.net.
When was the brokerage founded, and what prompted you to start?
Our brokerage opened in 2020, and the decision to start it came from a combination of experience and necessity. My husband and two brothers have owned a wholesale fruit and vegetable company for years, and my husband also owns and operates his own OTR fleet of trucks. Being involved in both the supply chain and transportation side of the business, I saw an opportunity to streamline connections between suppliers and buyers, while also leveraging our in-house logistics resources. There was a clear need for more efficient, reliable solutions in the market, and our brokerage was a way to bring together everything we knew about produce and transportation to better serve our clients and partners. It felt like a natural evolution of our family business and a way to provide a more complete service in the industry.
What type of brokerage model do you operate?
Ours is a hybrid model: We combine elements from niche to traditional.
Does the brokerage specialize in specific freight types or markets?
Reefer and dry van due to the need to move produce.
What products are essential to the day-to-day operations of the brokerage?
Tons: LaneMakers, RateView, DAT One’s load board, DAT Broker TMS (Keypoint), tracking, customer portals, compliance tools like CarrierWatch, the API, DAT iQ for rate analysis, volume and pricing tools. The list goes on and on.
What did DAT simplify or make easier for your brokerage?
We found that most carriers prefer DAT over any other load board. Since incorporating it into our daily operations, we’ve seen remarkable improvements in efficiency and overall business growth. The extensive network of carriers and the ease of posting and managing loads have allowed us to streamline our processes and meet our customers’ demands more effectively than ever before.
Tools that help with market rate insights and lane analysis have been instrumental in helping us make data-driven decisions, improve profit margins, and foster stronger partnerships with carriers. The ability to stay ahead of market trends has given us a competitive edge, enabling us to deliver exceptional service to our clients.
Tools like DAT RateView and DAT iQ offer invaluable insights into market trends, lane pricing, and capacity, enabling brokers to make informed decisions. These analytics help brokerages remain competitive, even in volatile markets.
What are the greatest challenges facing the freight or brokerage industry?
Capacity constraints, fluctuating freight rates, customer expectations. My advice? Build strong carrier relationships, expand carrier networks, use contract pricing, use rate analysis tools, and enhance visibility for customers.
What are some short-term or long-term business goals?
Increase load volume, strengthen carrier relationships, enhance operational efficiency, optimize freight rates
Learn more about adding market insights and analytics to your operations with DAT iQ.
