NPTC Launches Member Match Backhaul Capacity Utilization Program

Alexandria, VA – The National Private Truck Council (NPTC) has launched a unique backhaul networking program designed to help its fleet members fill empty miles through strategic private fleet partnerships.

The initiative – the MEMBER MATCH BACKHAUL NETWORK PROGRAM (“MEMBER MATCH” for short) – provides a free information exchange that allows member companies to fill empty capacity in their own fleets with shipments from other fleet companies or to utilize other private fleets to haul their company’s shipments. MEMBER MATCH is an information exchange available for NPTC fleet members only.

“According to NPTC’s most recent Private Fleet Benchmarking Survey, private fleet companies reported that 25% of all private fleet miles are empty,” according to Gary Petty, NPTC President and CEO. “This creates tremendous opportunity for filling backhaul capacity and superb prospects for delivering cost savings to the fleet.”

“With today’s ever-rising costs and the constant pressure to optimize capacity, private fleets must continually increase their revenues and lower costs wherever possible. For many private fleets, reducing empty miles while securing revenue-producing backhaul loads plays a significant role in the effort.”

But attracting outside freight to fill empty capacity has been problematic for private fleets. Many have obtained for-hire authority, which gives them the opportunity to fill what would otherwise be empty backhaul miles with revenue-producing freight. Some 53% of the respondents in the benchmarking survey reported having for-hire authority. Those fleets that have for-hire authority operate at an average cost per mile that is 10% less than those that don’t haul outside freight.

“For many years, fleet members of the NPTC have informally – and often by chance encounters at NPTC meetings – found strategic partners to help ship or receive their freight to and/or from other NPTC members,” says Petty. “We believe that MEMBER MATCH has the potential to help its members achieve exponentially greater network balance by boosting the amount of loaded miles.”

The MEMBER MATCH program goes far beyond a tactical, online load-matching service. Rather, it is for those fleet managers seeking strategic, long-term partnerships with peer private fleet operations.

For MEMBER MATCH to reach its maximum benefit, NPTC fleet members will be encouraged to list as much of their company’s outbound and inbound freight as possible using a special, secure section of the NPTC website.

MEMBER MATCH has the potential to help its members achieve exponentially greater network balance by boosting this network. Participants will have the confidence that they are dealing with reputable companies and fleet managers with the same unrelenting customer service standards and top-notch equipment as they have for their own fleets.

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About NPTC
Founded in 1939, the National Private Truck Council is the only national trade association exclusively representing the interests of the private truck industry and corporate/business private truck fleet management. NPTC is the premier marketplace of information, networking and skill building for private fleet professionals as it leads in shaping the future of corporate transportation.