STOP THE DIFFERENT TUNE YOU HEAR AFTER 3 MONTH IN HAULAGE BUSINESS

Wow, it is good to be back once again. Today's update is going to be an eye opener to a common occurence in the haulage business in Nigeria. I received phone calls from two different people that they have bad experience in haulage business. During our conversation, i discovered that they were truck owners but gave the trucks to their managers whom due to their little knowledge of maintenance killed the dream and aspirations of the truck owners.I asked the truck owners some questions below:

1.How much did you buy your truck
2.How much was your truck manager paying you monthly.
3.Did you track your truck
4.Was their any written contract signed btw you?
5.Lastly what was the nature of the tyres when the business was about to start.

Now,let me talk much about the last question. When these two truck drivers brought the used truck to Nigeria, they were unable to remember if they hardly changed the tyres or perhaps the servicing.
If you dont want to hear a different tune after 3 months in the haulage business, please change most of the tyres. If you are bold to change most of the tyres, i bet you, your truck will keep on running for any average of 6 months. You will only need to concern yourself with the monthly maintenance and minor replacements. The reason why a lot of truck managers fail to remit money monthly into your account is because they dont simply to earn what they they promise you. THIS IS NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
I have heard stories that make me laugh before i sleep most nights. We all agree that the used trucks we buy abroad or from dealers in Nigeria still have the capacity to run very well in Nigeria.Then why do you hear different tunes after 3 months. There are some trucks you will buy and you will certainly hear different tunes.
a. Freightliner
b. Scania
c.International.
I bet you if you have these trucks, you will sell if off in the long run. They were not meant to Nigerian System. It takes the grace of God to handle those trucks.
Buy CEAT TYRES if dont have the cash for PIRELLI or BRIDGE STONES. BUT run for DOUBLE STAR. I was a victim of DOUBLE STAR when i started the business. It is a chinese product.
If your manager dont make money has he promised,he will not maintain your truck. He will try to pay you,keep some money for himself(who come Lagos come count bridges)but that will have a negative effect in the long run.
So i beg you, change your bad tyres before you start the operations of the business. Majority of the tyres that come with the truck are not good for the operations, especially the front tyres of the truck. Very important. Have a good night rest and a wonderful weekend ahead.

More Info:08185208688, 07065149588

WHERE CAN I PARK MY TRUCK.

Hi people, i like to appreciate you guys for the praise and accolades
about my blog. I appreciate you too. i hope i was able to answer the
mails and the calls accurately.
I bursted into laughter when someone asked me if was going to be
bringing his truck home everyday. Immediately i felt it was important
to share the anwser with you all.
Ok listen up, you are not going to be bringing your trucks home. We
have about 4 different parks around Apapa where we park our trucks.
The Parking fee is N2000 per day. The Parks are very close to the
Ports that you can always get your jobs on MONDAYS, then you ask your
driver to bring the truck down to the Ports.
However, i like you to understand that hardly are the trucks parked
between mondays to fridays because the truck will always be in the
road. If the truck is not discharging goods in the night, it must be
loading in the night. it is only on weekend that the truck is
parked,perhaps when you have met your target or lets say the clearing
agents love to rest during the weekends.
In a nutshell, what you will be spending on parking fee in a week
cannoy exceed N2000 or N4000 weekly.
Hopw to see you guys next week.
More info:08185208688, 07065149588

DO YOU YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU START HAULAGE BUSINESS

It is good to be back again this week. I decide to change my posting tactics to be on Mondays because we really don’t get busy on Mondays till 2pm. Therefore you can always check on Mondays for new postings. But wait, we shall be discussing about a very crucial and important issue that has to do with your prospects and passion about haulage business. But wait, I need to tell you today that a lot of people are coming out today to say that haulage business can make you 1million Naira per month. A lot of people will say haulage will make you N700,000 per month. Of course if you are not hauling containers, you must be hauling sand or granites, or maybe oil(diesel and petrol). Be very careful about this matter. Learn to force out the truth from who you are dealing with. If you have just one truck or perhaps two, you will never make 1 million naira per month or N700,000 from haulage.take it or leave it. The people who make such amount from haulage are the ones called (TRANSPORTERS). These set of people have fleet of trucks ranging from 10 trucks to 20 trucks. They have the requirements that it required of them to be called a (TRANSPORTER). One of the requirements is having (GOOD IN TRANSIT INSURANCE POLICY) known as GIT. It is a mot of money that a people that have just one or two trucks don’t have. Of course haulage business will pay your bills. It will buy you a car in time. It will buy you a land in time. But it will not turn you to a billionaire.(For people who have just one truck or two). It will not make you have Hundreds of Millions in Naira. Many guys come to Internet forums and hoodwink you to believe that haulage is a short cut to wealth.HELL NO. HAULAGE IS JUST LIKE PAYING YOU A SALARY THAT A MULTINATIONAL FIRM CAN PAY YOU. DON’T LET PEOPLE DECEIVE YOU. From my experience over the years, haulage can make you N350,000 to N400000 monthly, but wait.don't be aroused. Save money for maintenance, Let me break it down. Imagine you have to overhaul your tyres after 5 or 6 months and do monthly maintenance.Now calculate and check you net profit monthly. Be wise and do diligent research. THE SECRET OF THE BUSINESS IS THE CONSISTENCY IN IT THE BUSINESS. THE REGULAR JOBS AND THE FREEDOM OF YOUR TIME. PERIOD. More Info: haulagemover@yahoo.com 08185208688. 07065149588

KNOWING YOUR SHIPPING LINES IN YOUR TRUCKING BUSINESS

Hi readers, i am deeply sorry for going offline for the past one week. In fact i will like to share with you that this period is always our hottest period in the container business.

This is the time manufacturing firms import a whole lot of raw materials for their production because of the year is running to an end. Anyway i hope i was able to reply the mails as usual.

Today, i want to help you to know the shipping lines that operates in the container business. It is also important that you know them because nowadays,you might be asked to drop your empty container at a particular location different from the ports and if you don't know the line that you are carrying, you will driven your truck to the wrong location instead. This implies that you will have wasted the time you are supposed to be using carrying a loaded container. Don't you know that in Logistics operations, time is money.

Below are the list of the shipping lines.I will give the prefix associated with the shipping lines, that whenever you see the prefix written on the container, you will know the shipping line that own the container.

1. (Maersk Shipping Lines) Prefix written on their containers are as follows:PONU,MSKU,NEDU,TCKU,ETC

2 (Mediterranean Shipping Lines) Prefix written on their containers are as follows:MSCU.

3 (CMA CGM) Prefix written on their containers are as follows: CMAU,TCKU,FCIU,ETC

4. (Zim International Lines) Prefix written on their containers are as follows: ZIMU

5. (Hanjin Shipping Lines) Prefix written on their containers are as follows: HJCU, ETC

6. (Nile Dutch Shipping Lines)

7. Pacific Shipping Lines) Prefix written on their containers are as follows: PIL,MOLU,FCIU,MOAU,ETC

8. (China Shipping Lines) Prefix written on their containers are as follows: CCLU

These Shipping Lines are the major ones doing business in Nigeria.With Maersk Line the biggest of the among the shipping Lines.

I hope i have been able to educate you today. OK,if there is an instruction that all some containers are to be dropped at a particular location, if your truck was carrying a container such as MSKU0000000 or PONU0000000, you need to be told that it is a MAERSK LINE CONTAINER. Have a wonderful day. i have to go back to work, Busy period earnestly.

More Info.haulagemover@gmail.com 07065149588,08185208688

SUB-DIVISIONS IN HAULAGE BRING UNENDING JOBS FOR TRUCKS DAILY

Once again, i will like to say hello to you guys this week. I hope i was able to answer your questions on the phone and through mails as you all expected. Today we shall have an overlook of the division of the haulage especially in the containerized type of haulage in Nigeria.

The containerized haulage business is divided into 3 types and this is why trucks are needed on a regular basis for this business. A lot of people concentrate or rather focus on one section only thereby having a feeling that the competition will be too much for trucks.

But i tell you today, rather than pitting your focus on a section alone, there are others you should look into . Below are the divisions in details: 1.IMPORTS:Yes,as you know, our economy is based on the importation. Vessels come into the country everyday.Remember that we have many ports and bonded terminals where people clear their goods everyday. Imports into the country alone amounts to over 200,000 containers monthly.

2.EXPORTS: If you truck is not carrying imports from the ports from the ports,then it must be carrying exports into the ports. Exportation is also a big business nowadays if you know how to go about it. Your trucks can also be assigned to carry exports from a particular location to the ports. We have over 200 export boxes going into the ports on a regular basis.Believe me, i am talking from experience. I have worked in the ports for 6 years with APM Terminals APAPA, so i know what i am saying. You will make money just carrying export boxes every week.

3.EMPTIES:After the imports have been discharged from the container, we call the container "empties". Now many times, the empties are discharged at some bonded terminals and there is a special request for the truckers to help bonded terminals to clear the empties to the ports for the vessels to take back to Europe. Ofcourse, the bonded terminals will pay for the delivery to the ports.

You see why you need not worrying yourself over jobs in container business. IF YOUR TRUCK IS NOT CARRYING IMPORTS, IT MUST BE CARRYING EXPORTS, IF IT CARRYING EXPORTS IT MUST BE CARRYING EMPTIES. NOW IMAGINE SHUTTLING THE 3 DIVISIONS EVERY WEEK.

SO WHO SAID THERE ARE NO JOBS FOR YOUR TRUCKS? OFCOURSE THERE IS. i hope to see you again next week. More Info:haulagemover@gmail.com 07065149588 08185208688

TIPS ON HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TRUCK INSIDE THE JOBS

As an experience hauler or lets say a trucker business operator, i have studied overtime that the lifespan of a truck is 6 to 7 years in Nigeria. There is every tendency that your truck can last more than 5 years if it is properly maintained.But inside the job, it is very important that you know how to maintain the usage of your truck any day anytime. I will be sharing some tips below on how to maintain your truck as it goes about during its daily work routine. 1. Always ensure that you know the tonnage of the job offers you see for the truck everyday. When you collect a Pick-up ticket from your agent, crosscheck the bill of Lading and confirm the tonnes of the job you are pick up. Remember that most times your truck does not weigh more than 30 to 35 tonnes. Then, why carrying goods more than 40 tonnes.

2.It is not advisable that you carry reefer containers most of the time. Infact i will advise that you don't carry reefer containers more than 3 times in a month. Reefer containers are used in carrying perishable goods. It is like a refrigerator used in preserving the goods. These containers weigh more than 35 tonness. And carrying them always will burst your tyres regularly.

3.Ensure that you advise the driver to inflate his tyre regularly especially after each job delivered. It is very important.

SIMPLE TIPS TO BUY A USED TRUCK FOR YOUR TRUCK BUSINESS

Hello Readers. i like t share with you a very simple tips to use in buying a used truck anywhere in the world. It is very simple. I received a lot of calls last week from prospective clients asking me the price of a truck. Some get scared when they hear the price from the dealers or from the internet. Please i want to tell you that you don't need the latest model of MACK truck or DAF truck for you business.

If you are looking for a Mack truck, be it R model or Ch613 model don't look beyond the 1980s model. If you are looking for CH model, don't look beyond the 1999 model. you will get a good price for it. Let me explain this better. Now a new model of a new truck will cost your pocket.In fact it will cost you all your life savings. If you are starting with just a single truck,the same cash a new model of Mack Truck will make is the same profit an old mack will make. The specifics of the post is that when you approach a dealer selling used trucks,explain to the dealer that you need a Mack R model or probably a CH model truck and get to know the year of manufacture.

The year of manufacture is always writing boldly on the engine block where you find the chassis number. Always look for the 1980s Model. If it is 1980, 1981, 1982. 1983 etc, start your bargaining like that.Just a the price of a 1999 Toyota Camry will be more expensive than a 2001 Toyota Camry. Knowing this, the dealer will soft pedal and give the room to negotiate. Because you don't always know the year of manufacture, the dealer will try to pull a wool over your eyes. In summary, i am saying that most times, the year of manufacture most times determines the price of machinery. Therefore, my brother be smart. Till we meet again next wk. More Info:07065149588 08185208688

REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR TRUCKS TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE PORTS.

Hello Readers,i will give a you a brief post on how your truck can gain access into the ports before it can start having job offers from agents, logistics companies and middle men. Over the years, i have learnt that doing the needful in business no matter the cost will give me rest of mind than trying to do some short cuts. Getting prepared to do truck business is a must otherwise be prepare to fail and have hypertension. Below are the requirements for your trucks to gain access to the ports:

1.SPARE TYRES:Ensure that you buy spare tyres for your truck. It should be tied somewhere around the flatbed or the truck. What i mean is that, the security officials of NPA(Nigerian Ports Authority) must see it so that the truck can be given direct pass immediately it is on sight. 2.PPE(Personal Protective Equipments) Ensure that your driver is putting on his equipments such as safety boots, helmets and reflective jackets. These are demanded because of the nature of the work. Safety first is the watchword of the work.

3.TYRE JACKYour driver must be equipped with a tyre jack to assist him to remove a punctured tyre or fix a good one. We know quite well that a tyre can puncture anytime, so be prepared before time

Till we meet again next time. 07065149588 08185208688 haulagemover@gmail.com

THE TOP 4 ROOKIE MISTAKES OF A TRUCKER/HAULAGER

Many people who start businesses, including me, have little or no experience and just jump in. Thank God that I was able to learn very fast. But over the years, I have seen people make the same mistakes over and over again in the trucking business. I recognize them because I have made them all, too. Mind you, you will make mistakes but never try to make mistakes that will be tantamount to the destruction of the business or to a situation whereby you will have to go back to square one or Zero. Have you heard people saying “oh I want to sell my truck, oh I want to look for a new driver, oh I want to look for a new manager”? It was all bore down on mistakes that keep on repeating itself. That is why I ask people to go for entrepreneurship courses so that they can learn how to handle business. Trucking business or haulage business is not different from other businesses, just that they have different approaches to them. Here is my list of the biggest rookie mistakes:

1. Keeping your rent as low as possible. Never try to rent a battery from all these battery chargers. For goodness sake, what is the rationale behind the renting of a truck battery that is not fully charged? No 24hrs electricity supply in Nigeria, Therefore never expect a battery charger to give you a fully charged battery for your truck. Remember that the battery charger needs money, if he puts a battery on charge for just one hour and you come to rent, if that is the only available battery, he will give it to you. By the time he is gone, you will face the problems all by yourself. But ehh, your money is gone. Simply ask yourself, what the turn around time of your truck is. In trucking business, time is money

2. Hiring someone you know and trust. Competence is more important. While hiring drivers that you know and relatives can work, it severely limits the pool from which you choose. Friends and relatives can also carry baggage. They can also be very hard to manage, which leads to my ultimate advice: if you can’t fire ‘em, don’t hire ‘em

3. Buying used equipment to keep expenses down. This, too, works sometimes, but it is often shortsighted. For example, buying used tyres will guarantee that you will spend valuable time and money fixing the truck when it should be out taking care of customers. Can you really afford downtime with any your truck? This is why truckers have problems with the law enforcement agencies.

4.Saving money on professional advice. It is very important that you save money once you have started your trucking business. Please I beg you, look for a good bank that will help you that have a tenacity to loan you to move to greater heights. See all the transporters with 20 trucks or 50 trucks, they are been supported by the banks. They never walk alone. That is my dream. That is my long term goal; to be a transporter.

I hope this list gives some new truckers or haulagers a little insight, or even keeps some wanna-preneurs from getting in over their heads. And one more thing. In sports, you are a rookie for one year. In entrepreneurship, it can last many years. When you learn from your mistakes, you are no longer a rookie. Better yet, learn from someone else’s. Learn from me The special One “lol”. 08185208688 07065149588

INTERSTATE HAULS OR INTRASTATE HAULS FOR YOUR HAULAGE/TRUCKING BUSINESS

Hello Readers, It is good to be back once again. Today i like to share with you what it means to haul interstate and intrastate. what do i mean by these two terms. Inter-state haul is simply a process where your trucks move from where your point of business is to another state which is entirely far from your point of business. For example, i reside in Lagos State. My point of loading is Lagos State but my truck moves outside Lagos State to places like Oyo State, Osun, Kwara and Other States you may think of.

While intrastate hauls has to do within Lagos State. That means my truck do not move outside Lagos State.I restrict my business in Lagos State only. But i will like to share with you why it is important to know these lanes very well before you decide where to send your trucks to.

As a professional in the haulage business, i know that till tomorrow, no matter the number of trucks i have , no matter the power i have, no matter my autocratic decisions, the driver is the deciding factor(TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. Therefore,in order to give more leverage to the driver, i choose carefully my lanes. BUT HOW. Remember, that trucking business is capital intensive, therefore you must apply proper money management techniques into the business.

If you have a single truck, it is not advisable to run interstate hauls for the first six months. Let me explain briefly why? No matter how good,how new your truck can be, it is a machinery that will experience wear and tear. You got a job to go to Ondo state, You were paid 180k after,all expenses such as drivers allowances and fuel cost etc, you were left with 110k. Now 4hrs later your driver called you to tell you that 2 tyres got bursted along the way. "Hypertension don start" You dont have any choice but to use the remaining balance to acquire 2 new tyres. Either you like it or not, DRIVER HAS COLLECTED HIS OWN PAY. See what i mean by.

In the first six months of doing intrastate hauls, with a good truck and proper management, you life will have been transformed either has a truck manager or truck owner. You will have saved a lot of money for the rainy days in your business. You have a close monitoring approach over the driver. Your truck is within your reach. your can send your manager or you can go there yourself.

But that is not the case in interstate. The driver is far away from you. He is out of sight.The profit you make between long hauls and short hauls is not that much for God Sake. Be wise and sharp dont be too greedy.I am not saying interstate hauls are bad.Just that it is not good for everybody.The fact that i am comfortable with it does not mean that you can be comfortable with it.

Go and ask Dangote if things have always been sweet.No. The truck will spoil one day. You must repair it. Tyres will burst one day. You must buy new ones. But if you have two trucks as a start in your business, it is not a crime to put one on interstate and the other on intrastate.The money you make will cover for one or the two. If you want to run interstate or intrastate hauls, don't try to cover the whole 36 states or the whole of Lagos State. Learn how to cut losses and and make profits. I have seen people with 2 trucks but have nothing to show for it. I have see people with just 1 truck and their lives have been transformed. They wonder why they have no known about the business a long time ago.

In these trucking business, there is no late or early time to start. The Seaports we have in Nigeria has been there before i was born. Business has been there before i was born. Now i am 32 years.And the business is still there. even when we all die it will be there, until Jesus comes.

So, ask yourself,do i have passion for this business? But i tell you one thing. Passion or no Passion,Fortune favours the brave. God bless you.Till we meet again next week. Keep the calls coming and mails coming. i am there for you. 07065149588 08185208688 haulagemover@gmail.com

LIST OF BONDED TERMINALS IN LAGOS STATE.

in my last post, i wrote about 2 different type of jobs available in the container business in the ports. i mentioned that we have the transfer and the normal delivery. i dealt extensively that the transfer type is the ones moved to the bonded terminals where the truck has to come back again to pick up another container or containers for another trips. These bonded terminals have been licensed by the federal govt on Nigeria to receive these transfer boxes so that there agents can come and clear them over there. although the clearing charges triple up once the containers leave the ports. Here are the list of the bonded terminals below.

1.Lilypond bonded terminal.

2.Denca bonded terminals.

3.Hulyblith bonded terminals.

4.Sapid bonded terminals, mile two.

5.Sapid bonded terminals, abule odu.

6.AML boneded terminals.

7.BCT bonded terminals.

8.Mid maritime bonded terminals.

Now that the season is hot, the driver choose the bonded terminals they want to go due to various reasons.

1.traffic.

2.payments differ.

3.proximity to go forth and back

i received calls from 5 different people asking what happens if transfers begin to fluctuate especially in there odd seasons. Please note that the fluctuation of transfers doesn't affect the work your truck will do. once there is no transfer, simply go for normal delivery. imagine, going for a single transfer in the early hour of the morning and go for normal delivery in the afternoon. this is what i call the proper truck management in haulage in Nigeria.

i hope to meet you again. thanks for reading.

2 TYPES OF JOBS IN THE CONTAINER HAULAGE BUSINESS

Today, we shall discuss about some terminologies in container haulage business. Before you go into container haulage business, there are two popular terminologies you should have learn before going into it. I shall be explaining how to go about it and how it is been done below.

(1). ICD TRANSFER: ICD is known as INLAND CONTAINER DELIVERY. The popular and local name known for this kind of work or job for trucks is known simply as TRANSFER. This kind of delivery services is the movement of container from the APAPA MAIN PORTS to the various BONDED TERMINALS across Lagos State. The proximity of the BONDED TERMINALS makes the truckers to go at least two trips per day. What can actually be the constraints of the two trips could as a result of heavy traffic between the BONDED TERMINALS and the APAPA MAIN PORTS.

What is required of you to start or get these jobs is to get a PICK UP TICKET from one of the assigned transporters outside the APAPA PORTS. The driver will drive in and pick up a 2x20ft containers or 40ft container. Immediately the truck driver loads, he goes to the OUTBOUND GATE of the PORTS and exchange the PICKUP TICKET FOR what is known as EIR (Equipment interchange Report). He will tender this report at the BONDED TERMINAL. The receiving clerk minutes on the report that he has received a particular container e.g(MSKU0000000) Thereafter, the driver goes back to the APAPA PORTS and tender the EIR to the assigned transporter that gave him the PICK UP TICKET and he gets paid immediately or at an agreed time.

The advantage of the ICD TRANSFER is that a driver can go for as many trips if he knows the traffic situation before he leaves the terminal. He can then look for alternative routes. On a Sunday, the driver can run three trips or four trips, if he is ready to work. The disadvantages is that sometimes the bottlenecks of custom officials and heavy traffic can affect the truck’s movement thereby limiting the driver to a single trip. Also, Not all the vessels coming into the country are meant for ICD TRANSFER. Therefore,it is fluctuates. There can be transfer this week . There might not be next week. You cannot determine the weight of the container until the truck is loaded. The Operator might refuse to offload you because of the time wasting.

(2) Normal Delivery: Normal Delivery is picked up from the APAPA PORTS and can be delivered to main suburbs, street and metropolis or interstate. You can also get this type of work of Job from the BONDED TERMINALS. The difference between the TRANSFER and the NORMA DELIVERY is that the TRANSFER is restricted to be delivered to BONDED TERMINALS ALONE while the NORMAL DELIVERY is delivered to ANYWHERE THE AGENTS SAYS THAT THE CONTAINER IS GOING. The advantage of the NORMAL DELIVERY is that you can charge the agents for a price equivalent for a money of two trips of TRANSFER. You have direct control of the truck . You can check the tonnage of the container before you go for the Job. That means you manage the truck eye to eye.

The disadvantage of the NORMAL DELIVERY is LASMA and CUSTOMS and DRIVERS. I will explain let. But you can beat just two of them.That is LASMA and YOUR DRIVER simply by doing the right things explained in my previous posts. Thanks so much for the visiting my blog as usual. Please i will answer all pending mails during the weekend. Calls can only be received from (9am to 9pm)Nigerian time. 08185208688 07065149588 haulagemover@gmail.com

The 10 TRICKS OF A SUCCESSFUL HAULAGER

When we think of a trick, we think of pranks we played on unsuspecting individuals when we were young (, but the context in which we want to talk about ‘Tricks’ here is techniques or actions that can improve a person’s life. Trucking tricks are kept under wraps because of the solitary nature of the business—a trucker is provided with a truck, a set of keys, a product or item to haul, a place to load and a location where he needs to deliver the load. All of this creates an atmosphere where the ability to share knowledge with others is limited. So here is a list of ten tricks which can help make the job of picking up, driving and delivering, simpler and more financially beneficial to the trucker, the shipper, the receive and the trucking company. Ten Tricks of a Successful Trucker:

1. Always have a plan. This includes the obvious route and time plan to pick up and deliver loads. You also need to include plans for maintaining your equipment, plans for staying healthy on the road, and plans to get the right amount of home time. And most of all, a plan on how to reach your goals, both personal and business.

2. Know what it costs you to operate on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. You can’t control what you don’t know. Reducing unnecessary expenses is necessary for any trucking operation regardless of whether it’s a lease operation or you’re a company driver.

3. Develop a program where you pay yourself first. This means including a salary as one of your fixed expenses, which helps you create a visual goal which you can achieve. If you wait for the leftovers on the financial side of your operation, what you’ll end up with is the crumbs. If you’re a company driver, you still need to set daily and weekly income goals, because company drivers are usually paid by the mile, like lease operators. Since most trucking companies don’t guarantee company drivers a specific set salary each week, it is up to the driver to be sure he’s maximizing his earning potential through setting and achieving financial goals.

4. Schedule Preventive Maintenance. Remember a truck or trailer whose maintenance needs are ignored will stop your forward progress at the most inopportune time. Making sure your equipment is in top-notch condition at all times means you can achieve your other goals. Ignore its maintenance and the truck will make sure you’re driven to financial failure.

5. Stay with it! The biggest problem in the trucking industry is the excessive driver turnover situation. There are many contributing factors to the problem, one being truckers expecting too much too soon when coming on board with a new motor carrier. Be sure and do your homework on any carrier with which you are thinking of aligning yourself. Spend the time investigating the trucking company’s way of doing business, and ask questions during the recruiting process—lots of tough questions. Then, once you’ve made your decision which company to go with, stick with them for a minimum of one year. It’s all in the investigation and effort you apply in the beginning before you’ve signed on the dotted line.

6. Communication, communication, communication. This is not just what is said or heard. You need to maintain a paper trail on all aspects of your trucking business. If it’s said and it’s important, write it down: who you talked with, when you talked with them, what was said by all parties, what was the final agreement, and if it’s extremely important, have everyone sign the document. Just because it’s spoken doesn’t mean it will be remembered. Don’t assume everyone is on top of any situation. If circumstances change, whether it’s concerning delivery or pick up times, repairs required on equipment, solutions to situations, or a personal dilemma, be sure it’s communicated to anyone with a need to know.

7. Teamwork is multi-tiered when it comes to trucking. There’s the obvious team of driver, dispatch, maintenance department and safety, where team work can make everyone’s life more financially rewarding and less stressful, working to provide the best logistics service to the company’s customers. But don’t forget the other team members, the major reason you’re out there doing what you do: your family.

8. The trucker is king when it comes to Customer Service. Treating ‘your’ shippers and receivers as royalty is the first step to your success. The second step is to remember whether you’re a company driver or lease operator, the trucking company is the ‘Other Customer’ to which you need to provide stellar customer service.

9. Personal care means take care of yourself, in mind, body, and soul. Take the time to stop and smell the roses. Don’t allow yourself to become isolated from others by the sheer nature of your work. Be sure to exercise, even if it’s nothing more than a good brisk walk. Think twice, eat once; look at what you’re about to eat. Is it going to be nourishing? Is it something that will cause you problems later? If the answer is yes to the first question and no to the second, enjoy it; if not, consider something else. Each day spend a few moments in spiritual contemplation to refresh your soul.

10. Recreation is needed too. All work and no play makes for an irritable trucker. Schedule a hobby or activity which has nothing to do with trucking. This is your escape from your day-to-day responsibilities as a trucker. Make a plan to do this at least once a week.

More Info :08185208688 07065149588 haulagermover@gmail.com

GREED GRED GREED (PART 2)

Hello Readers,  the last time i was writing about greed and how it affect haulage business. If you remember, i mentioned that the three parties involved in the haulage business are drivers, truck managers and truck owners. And i mention specifically the attitudes of everyone as regards their greedy attitudes.
This is the concluding part of the topic about GREED.
Now, how do we manage a greedy driver?How do we manage a greedy manager and how do we manage a greedy truck owner.
(a) Managing your driver.: How is your hiring process when recruiting a driver for your haulage business. Is your driver recommended to you? Do you just give the truck to a driver because you know him by chance.
Now I will explain to you on how to get the best and a fearful driver. Nigeria is a country where we spanked to work. Let me tell you the truth, You will agree with me that we know what to do. We know what is right and wrong. It is just that we like to take advantage of the WRONG STRUCTURE in place in this country.
I like to interview drivers a lot. I like to invite about 4 or 5 drivers for interview on the same day. I let them know that they are there with me for the same purpose. Let me let you know that i like to hire married men.
It shows a level of responsibility a little bit. You just have to work on the rest after the hiring. Let me let you know that i get a guarantor from the drivers and i carry out a research at the background immediately. Therefore i pick the one with most responsible guarantor. I interact with the guarantor immediately.
If feel i am going to the extreme. YES. because the success of the haulage business start with hiring the best driver. I have a Driver called MOSES. The guy is the best thing that have ever happen to me in haulage business. Then i have to know the driver's experience.

(b)Managing a Truck Manager: Always ensure that you get the best available manager around. Get to know how long he has been in the business? His experiences over the years; Get to know his marital status as well. What is his career goals (That is something most have led or push him to go into the business. (N:B) His answers most be related to his career goals. When you are satisfied, ensure that there is contractual agreement by law that bind both of you as partners. Get a responsible guarantor from him and do a background research.  Lastly, use the advantage of GPS technology by tracking your truck. Learn to track the movement online. You can get trackers all around Lagos environs. Once installed, the monitoring of the managers start. This is known as Supervision and Monitoring.

(c)Managing a Truck Owner: Well let me explain here that truck owners can only manage themselves. Listen up Truck owners, the price you get your truck will determine the monthly returns you will be comfortable with. That is why I advise that you get your truck at a cheap rate from individual listings on tradestable, dealfish, googletrader and abroad (America or Europe) .If you see a consistent manager, it is better you stick to him. I don’t need to tell you what consistency in business means.

Truck managers it is important you know your lanes. Never agree to what you cannot deliver. If you do, remember, you will be prosecuted because you are signing a contract that is bounded by law. Let the law of nature takes it place. Don’t get in trouble because you want business. If a prospective truck owner doesn’t agree with what you can offer, let him leave. It is a win- win situation. Nobody is doing anybody a favor. Other business will come. People come and people go. That is life.

I hope I have dealt extensively with the the greed issue. If you can stick to all these advise, I bet you will sleep with your two eyes closed. Hope to see you next week. Have a lovely week and I will be expecting your mails and calls as usual.

N:B I have gotten an MTN line as I have agreed to get one because of the MTN subscribers.

The line is 07065149588

Email still remains (haulagemover@gmail.com)

GREED GREED GREED NUMBER 1 KILLER IN HAULAGE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA.

As promising as haulage business greed is a factor that militates against the success of the business, especially when Nigerians have the attitude of making money in a short time. Infact one of the main reasons why a lot of people are discourage to invest in the business is because of greedy attitude of the persons involve in the business. It is not that people don’t want to invest their money but why should people lose money after saving for a lengthy time to invest in the haulage business.

Greed and corruption today is one reason why foreign investors are discouraged to invest in Nigeria. BOKO HARAM is also a threat to the foreign investment. How do we account for lives of the foreign expatriates that were kidnapped and killed in Sokoto state this year?

Anyway lets live BOKO HARAM today and lets face the main topic GREED. Let us remember that there are three parties involved in the haulage business

a)      The driver

b)      The manager

c)       The owner

A GREEDY driver is one who fails to deliver money on time as at when due. A greedy driver is the one who bargains with your technician or mechanic to extort money from you. A greedy driver is one who claims that he needs 75 litres of diesel to a particular location but in actual sense he needs just 50litres.

A greedy manager is the one who fails to remit to the owner monthly returns as promised. A greedy manager will not maintain the truck as at when due. A greedy manager loves second hand tyres and second hand batteries. A greedy manager will therefore be a victim of LASMA officials every week.

A greedy truck owner is the one who tries to make his investment back in less than a year. A greedy truck owner will be a victim of high blood pressure if he listens to side talks. A greedy truck owner is not comfortable with a consistent manager and wants to earn more.

All said and done, but how do we curb all these practices. How do we help to make these businesses succeed? What must be done to checkmate a greedy driver, greedy manager or greedy owner or how do we help ourselves not to be greedy. WATCHOUT FOR PART 2

More Info: 08185208688
                  07065149588

WHY YOU NEED A DOUBLE AXLE TRUCK FOR YOUR HAULAGE BUSINESS

Hello readers,
Today,i want to revisit thie issue of buying a truck for your haulage business. This time around, we shall enlighten ourselves about a particular specification which i term as double axle. Double axle trucks are also termed as tandem axle trucks. Some people will say trucks are trucks.I want to come out today today to say not all trucks are trucks because not all trucks are trucks in Nigeria. This is simple to say that not all trucks are made for the Nigerian Roads in terms of maintanance, driving expertise and durability.
Yet some people will say " you said i should buy DAF truck, you said i should buy MACK trucks, which one is SINGLE AXLE or which one is DOUBLE AXLE again". (which kind wahala be this)that means what kind of problem is this.
But listen to me, if you are planning to buy a truck for your haulage business today, a long as the truck is meant for Tipper Business or Container Haulage business. Please simply go for DOUBLE AXLE TRUCKS.
DOUBLE AXLE TRUCKS  tow better and help to keep the driver in control on the road. Technically speaking, a truck must weigh up to 30 tonnes before it can start a tipper or container haulage business in Nigeria. This is because the stuffing of these containers most times weigh more than the truck. I doubt if you have seen a 20ft container weighing more than 30 tonnes. Yes i have seen it more than a thousand times. People wonder why the 20ft weighs more than a 40ft container, It is simple. These is a lot of space in the 40ft container. by the time your goods are put in the 40ft container, there seems to be space left at the top .But for the 20ft, it is stuffed from the beginning to the end.Hardly will you be able to climb into the container when the offloading of the goods start. If you are using the single axle truck, i bet you that your tires will keep bursting all the time. Tyres are the most expensive of all the trucks spare parts that i know. If you don't save for the rainy day in haulage, it will come back to hunt you seriously.
When i print out the delievry order for truck drivers in the Ports, you will see a 20ft conatiner weighing up to 33 tonnes. what do you make out of that when you have a truck that doesnt weigh more that 30 tonnes. These are some of the technical experise i have learnt over the years. Now let me tell you that i have not see a 40ft container weighing more than 30 tonnes. Whenever, i go to the examination ground where CUSTOMS OFFICIALS use to inspect the imported goods, you will see the reasons why there can never be a 100% inspection of goods in our Ports today. It is all because the containers are stuffed from the edge of the boxes to the end,especially the 20ft containers.
Keep in mind that you should get a truck weight from 30 tonnes upward and remeber that it should be DOUBLE AXLES. The DOUBLE AXLE trucks have many tyres that helps the balancing of the trucks no matter the weight of the container.
Infact, what do you say about the tipper haulage which is even worse. We cannot even ascertain the weight opf the sand or the stones. But tobe on the safer side. Please look out for DOUBLE AXLE TRUCKS.

I will attach pictures of double axle trucks and single axle. please note that the double axle trucks have more tyres to help the balancing and also helps to support the  the truck

For more info:haulagemover@gmail.com

GPS TECHNOLOGY, A MUST FOR YOUR HAULAGE BUSINESS

Hello Readers, i am sorry that i have noT update my blog since two weeks, it was due to my busy schedule.
Today, i will like to discuss with you about GPS TECHNOLOGY. Without making too much brouhaha of this issue, i will use our local language or term that we call it, especially in Nigeria. You know  we have discussing  haulage in Nigeria, not in Asia, America or other continents. Too cut it short, it is called TRACKER.
Gone were those days when drivers and truck owners fight one another on different issue about the working capabilities of their buses or truck. They argue and quarrel over location of the trucks, freight rates and other issues that had to due with the truck. But today, thanks to GOOGLE MAPS for coming to rescue us from these recurring issues. Little did GOOGLE know that they were helping to solve these type of problem own haulage business in Nigeria.
With a TRACKER install in your truck today, you can sleep with your two eyes closed in your haulage business. The tracker helps to reveal location and live movement of your truck. You will be able to determine your freight rates without asking your driver how much he was paid for the job (NB:sometimes driver gets the jobs before you,and you wont be able to resist it as long as you have not be briefed by your own customers that a job is  readily available).
There is a lot that the tracker does for you. The tracker safeguards against theft.Although this is not common. In fact i can say that it is 0.8 percent. The tracker also alerts you when the engine of the truck is on for a certain period of time. Oh love this. i can feel that you are getting excited with this. But that is the truth.
To be sincere with you, i won't collect or manage you truck if it is not tracked.Dont see me as a guru today as you see me write on my blog. My past experiences and mistakes is the one writing. i never brought all these from heaven. Believe me honestly, the management of truck nowadays start from you. Your manager comes second and the driver comes third. Just with the help of your TRACKER, you will be able to log on to the internet with your username and password and see the live movement of the truck.
You will be anywhere.America, UK, Germany, Spain. Name it. You know what is going on.
With these little secret.Oh!!! You call it little now because i exposed myself, You will not be able to here "oga no work today". "oga motor breakdown for ojuelegba and i come use my money quickly do am" oga na Oshodi i dey"(if it is true that the idiot is in oshodi).

Till we meet next week. Have a very lovely weekend and think about all this . CATCH YA.
More Info: haulagemover@gmail.com
Tel:08185208688
      07065149588

SECOND HAND TYRES VS BRAND NEW TYRES IN YOUR HAULAGE BIZ IN NIGERIA

hello readers, thanks for the appreciation i have gotten so far as regards to information i am giving out. The bottom line of this information is that i want everyone in this business to succeed and for intending investors to the beauty surrounding this business.
Today we will discuss about TIRES for our trucking/haulage business. As we all know, let me say as all entrepreneurs know, we all want to to cut cost when it comes to procurement for our business. But then as we try to cut cost, sometimes we forget to consider the efficiency, cost benefits and risks when it comes to procuring spare parts for our business.
Second hand tyres will put you out of business gradually. It doesn't last more than one week or 2 wks. it bores down on luck to get a good second hand tyres,
Brand new tires will last you up to 5 months. i am telling you based on my professional experience.  when you have efficiency in your business, you will earn more and save more.
Many times, tokunbo tires known as second hand tires don't even last a week. when this start to happen, you will earn less and this will lead you to borrowing beacuse your truck will have laid idle for many days while you sort for money everywhere.. PLS BEWARE OF THIS, TRUCK MANAGERS. It will lead to problems between truck owners and you.
Learn to understand the rudiments of this business here. i will give updates every 3 days. When you continue to buy second hand tires, you are putting the business into high risk, the driver is at risk, the motor boy is at risk, innocent life is at risk and lastly your own career, integrity, pedigree at risk.
So please i beg u. STAY AWAY FROM SECOND TIRES IN YOUR HAULAGE BUSINESS AND YOU WILL SUCCEED

CHOOSING A TRAILER FOR YOUR TRUCK

Hello readers, as we go along in teach ourselves the requirements of haualge business, we shall discussing trailer sizes. we have two different types of trailer sizes. The 20 feet and 40 feet. Under the two categories we have the spring type and the ballon type.

Because our focus is strictly on Nigeria and her roads, i require to get the spring type. The spring type deals with our strong the axles of the trailer is. Please note that the stronger or heavy your trailer is the better for  your tyres. You will not want a situation where the tonnage of the container your truck is carrying is resting on your tyres. Therefore the requirement of the tonnage of your trailers must be from 30 and above(30 tonnes &above).The trailer is a very very factor and very technical in haulage business.

The 20ft sizes gets more jobs than the 40ft but less pay in terms of freight rates while the 40ft size gets less jobs but high freight rates. Technically, i have found out that the maintenance costs of the 40ft size trailers is higher than 20ft size due to the following reasons

1. The 40 ft size trailers has many tyres; which means you are prone to buying tyres very well.

2.Axle pots will require more oil fluids for 40ft than 20ft.   

However, whichever you buy , you will make money. it is a matter of experience.

There will be more jobs for 20ft sizes soon because Lagos State is proposing a law that will not allow 40ft size trailers to carry  2x20ft containers anymore.

Once you can venture into this business, you will ask youself why you have not ventured into it a long time ago.

FORTUNES FAVORS THE BRAVE.

For further info:+2348185208691
                          2347065149588

www.containerhaulagers.blogspot.com

haulagemover@gmail.com

Choosing a Truck for your Haulage Biz in Nigeria

Today, I have decided to write about trucks. I have received a lot of private mails and calls as regards to the kind and model of trucks that are needed for this business especially in Nigeria. I will be specific as regards to the type of truck needed.

The trusted and the confirmed kind of trucks for starters are DAF trucks and MACK trucks. These two trucks are preferred above others because of their rugged and availability of their parts in Nigeria. An Average mechanic or technician is able to repair these trucks and find their parts easily. I am not saying that these are the best trucks in town. The statistics of the usage of these two trucks is very much higher than other trucks in Nigeria. My hand-on experience in the business loves MACK trucks. I have had success in this business because I know a lot about MACK trucks.

Once you are able to sight these two types of trucks, you have to consider the engine. In Nigeria, we have the Tokunbo (referred to as GRADE A) while we have the Nigerian fairly used. Let me briefly explain below:

Tokunbo GRADE A: These types of trucks have been used fairly in America or Europe by their first buyers. It was initially bought new and used overtime before shipping down to Nigeria. The mileage makes no sense really because we know that the roads in America and Europe are beautiful. They lack pot-holes. Therefore, most times it can be put on the road immediately.

Nigerian Fairly used: This type of truck has been used in Nigeria overtime and the buyer or user needs to sell it to another Nigerian because of one thing or the other. I don’t usually recommend this because of one reason. The reason is because you cannot trace the history of the truck especially because it has been used on Nigerian Roads.

Your choice of truck between these two trucks must be between 33 tonnes and  above. Look for a truck with double axle. Never to worry, I have include pictures of these trucks.

For MACK Trucks: Recommended is  Model  R685st and  CH613

For DAF trucks: Xp75 and above.

Your Success is ensured if you can  venture into this business. Consistency is the key to long-lasting success.

For further info: haulagemover@gmail.com

                        +2348185208688, 07065149588

                         www.containerhaulagers.blogspot.com

MEMORABLE DAYS THAT LED TO MY HAULAGE EXPERIENCE AND BUSINESS

DO YOU KNOW YOU CAN MAKE CONSISTENT MONEY IN HAULAGE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

PREVIEW:

This haulage service business is a lucrative and interesting. The market is wide and highly demanding. Hence the demand for the need of this service is always per second on daily basis.

THE MARKET:

As a result of the high rate of importation, the demand for the dispatch of containers boxes from the sea port is high, thus the haulage services is getting better day by day. Like other services, haulage business services users are enormous: they include port operators, importers, companies, individuals, agencies, among others;

INVESTMENT:

The business opportunity in haulage services is very high and lucrative but one can invest with ease, and the amount needed for this investment from your bank is between N3m to 3.1 million. The property and materials required for haulage business is durable and serviceable vehicle, like DAF  and  MACK trucks. Etc

To continue in this business, what is required is as follows:

(A)          tractor which is the “HEAD” this truck(also know as cab) drives the whole vehicle.

(B)          The body of the truck is called “BED”. This is the flat layer where the container boxes will sit on. It is also called CHASIS

(C)         The tyres

COSTING:

*        The tractor (THE HEAD)A very high grade of tokunbo” tractor cost between N2.1 million and N2.5million. This will serve a good purpose and it will be free from mechanical problems for a long period of time.

*        The body of the truck which is the flat layer “BED or CHASIS” will be bought at the rate of N700,000 or N800000. The BED or CHASIS” includes tyres which serves for a while probably two or three months

Then all the government license, both the vehicle license and all the haulage taxes and certificate will cost between N65,000- n75,000.

            The total projected estimate cost will between N3.0 – N3.5 Million

INCOME:

The rate of return on investment (ROI) is high in this business, the patronage is always high. The haulage services is 6days a week, 26days in a month and 365days in a year. The rate of income is also based on the turn around time of the truck, this is because the constraints such as traffic congestion on the road, mechanic faults etc, will be reduced a little because, the truck will be a “Grade A” Tokunbo vehicle,or built on  NEW brand tyres .

Above all, with proper management supervision and close monitoring, this is a high yielding investment enterprises.

ANALYSIS OF INCOME GENERATION

Depending on the point of destination of each container the amount charged varies. In every metropolis of Lagos state, a single trip cost between N38,000 – N40,000 and above. No matter high the expenses of a trip, the balance for a single trip is not less than N20,000.

The cost of running a truck per trip assuming the charges for the trip is N40,000

1.                Driver’s pay per trip: (10% of the amount charged)                        N4,000

2.                Cost of fueling per trip (50 liters)                                                       N10,000

3.                Motor boy: Conductor’s pay per trip                                                  N1,500

4.                Engine oil of a single trip                                                                    N2,000

5.                Miscellaneous expenses: photocopying machine etc                     N2,000

Total                                       N19,500

If all these are deducted from the payment of 40,000, we will be left with a projected profit of N20, 500 per trip

MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION

If the projected profit of N22, 500 per trip is realized therefore in one week, we realize  N100,000 in one month, we can realize about N450, 000 – N540, 000.

However, within twelve calendar month, the total MONEY INVESTED  will be realised.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUCK

The safety of the truck is highly guaranteed because the Lagos state Government has created over 5 lorry parks around the  port and its environment. However modern technology has introduced the GPS tracking system to protect against theft and fraudulent acts by driver’s etc.

As per the servicing of the truck, it will normally hold on Sunday, reasons been that most clearing agents do not work on Sundays. This gives the truck drivers the opportunity to service their truck at a reduce cost between N5,000 – N6,000 per week and general services every two months which cost an average of N35,000

SUMMARY:

In summary, haulage service in the port is a very lucrative business, more so that the truck will be confine to the port operation with a custom escort and it will have a defined schedule of work. Carrying unauthorized containers or operating on authorized route without escort will not be experienced.

Definitely, your sole aim is to buy a very good truck that will serve the purpose of this lucrative business with proper monitoring, thereby you will not encounter much problems. One of the most reliable trucks we used in this business is DAF trucks, MACK trucks. This is very economical to maintain in terms of servicing. I tell you what, some MACK trucks are on this our business for the past ten year (7yrs) and they are still on the road.

Presently, however, a lot of individuals and some financial institution  in this haulage business now and over the years and they are doing perfectly well.

The monthly income on this investments realistic and achievable as long as you  have good hand, handling this enterprises and with close supervision and monitoring, we will achieve good ROI (return on investment) within a short period and money invested in the business will be realized with ease, and the business will continue in good form.

This business should be handled as usual with intention of taking it to a greater and within a short period, you shall be having a fleet of trucks. This is a business no one regrets venturing into.
More Info: 08185208688
                   07065149588
Mail:haulagemover@gmail.com