Freight broker agents play a critical role in the supply chain, connecting shippers with carriers and facilitating freight movements. Carrier agents work on behalf of a trucking company to find and schedule loads for drivers and equipment and ensure on-time deliveries. While their roles are very different, both are concerned with the movement of freight, and brokerages and motor carriers endure many of the same industry challenges.
Joe Taylor, a freight broker agent for Quaker Transportation, Inc., and Teresa Gifford, a carrier agent for Falcon Transport, Inc., two of four businesses that are part of PFQ Companies, agree that the freight market has been full of obstacles in recent years.
The rise in lawsuits and nuclear verdicts, government regulations, double brokering fraud and inflation have all contributed to a markedly different environment than when both began their careers as a freight broker agent and carrier agent.
At Falcon Transport and Quaker Transportation, both agents have been able to build long-lasting businesses that have been able to weather the market’s highs and lows.
PFQ Companies consists of four businesses. Three are carriers specializing in intermodal transportation — Pioneer Transport, Falcon Transport and Quaker Transport. Each company has multiple offices well-positioned at several port locations in the southern U.S., including Texas and New Orleans. The carriers have also started offering flatbed and dry van services as the demand has grown.
The fourth company, Quaker Transportation — not to be confused with Quaker Transport — represents the brokerage side of the business. Its broker agents can connect shippers with necessary capacity and equipment, including van, reefer, flatbed, hotshot, dump hopper trailers, walking floors and more.
Taylor joined Quaker Transportation in 2002 and since then has enjoyed success as his business has expanded.
“We’ve gotten bigger contracts because Quaker Transportation has got good backing and good credit, which has allowed us to get a high volume of loads,” Taylor said.
Quaker Transportation fosters an environment of integrity and reliability, which is demonstrated through the values Taylor lives every day. He focuses on freight with strong rates and makes an effort to price fairly for carriers.
“We know what it costs to run trucks. That’s our first priority. We want to keep these trucks running because they’re our bread and butter,” Taylor added.
Quaker Transportation has also provided him with tools. This includes load board access, allowing him to reach a broad network of carriers. He even receives a listing with Produce Blue Book, which is an especially useful way for him to reach customers in his niche, as his focus is on agricultural and bulk commodities.
Gifford has had a similar positive experience with Falcon Transport over many years. She describes the atmosphere at the carrier as familial and has been with the company since graduating high school.
“Falcon has been a constant, reliable company that has exceeded our expectations. Being in a family environment is the reason we have grown our company over the years. Falcon has proved that family stays together through good times and bad. Our constant relationship with everyone at the home office is indescribable,” she said
Falcon Transport helps agents stay up to date on ever-changing technology and on top of current transportation topics to help them constantly stay informed with the fast-paced market. It also provides agents with contacts and sales leads on a weekly basis.
“There is no other company like Falcon. They are honest, loyal and dedicated to their agents and drivers. They go above and beyond to make sure the agent as well as the driver are happy and will work with the agents to resolve any issues we may have,” Gifford said.