About 50% of my posted articles have been centered around the maintenance culture of handling trucking business in Nigeria. The true fact is that if the truck is well maintained, then the life span of the truck will surely increase.
I have seen trucks spending 4,5 and 6 years and working perfectly. Such trucks no doubt are maintained by good truck owners and managers.
What are the three critical legs of haulage business in Nigeria. When one leg is lost or not treated well, the other legs suffer. The three legs all must work together for a successful and consistent haulage business in Nigeria.
These are the three legs below.
1. Technical understanding of the job: The technically of the business starts from the angle of knowing which truck to buy,which truck you ought not to buy. The kind of trailer(flatbed) needed. Here, you need to know the tonnage of the flatbed. These helps you to determine the size and weight of the loads to carry. The type of tyres you need to buy. The market is saturated with many tyres, indian,chinese and italian products.Knowing the type of tyre you need to buy is important(I have told you in my previous blog to stop buying tokunbo tyres,otherwise you are going to lose in the long run.
Also the type or battery to buy. you have to decide if you need to buy 100 volts x 2 or a single 200 volts. Knowing when to change the battery,knowing when to change the tyres,knowing when to service the engine etc.
Technical understanding of the job also included knowing which routes the truck is good to go to.
2. Administration: When you know the technics of the jobs,you should be able to administer. The driver should be one of your focus here.how often does he come to work?? The kind of excuse you get from him, his punctuality, his expertise, his maintenance culture, etc.
Administration also include follow ups. Your ability to sometimes check the place where the goods are to be discharged without the driver's notice. Administration also include knowing the best truck technician for your truck. As a matter of fact,i do follow the techician to buy spare parts so that i wont to short-changed.
3. Sales and Marketing: Who are you contacts? In the haulage business in Nigera, you need contacts, who are the contacts?They are Agents,middlemen, and companies. How do you relate with them? Your customer service approach will determine whether you will have a long lasting relationship or otherwise.
Believe honesty, if your truck is sound,well maintained, with good hooks, nice clean looking head, before you come back from a delivery, another job will be waiting.
No matter whom you know among all these three players, you will make consistent money.Just try and be servicable.
Can you see that all these three critical legs work together? They move together.
Watch out for my next post(BOOKEEPING)
Bye for now
More Info:: 08185208688
N:B Please Call can only be entertained from 5pm(GMT+1)
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Friday 22 February 2013
DONT LET CONTAINERS FALL DOWN FROM YOUR TRUCK
Hi Guys, I am being busy doing what i know best. You should know that i gotta love myself before anyone.
Today lets talk about why containers fall down from trucks always. Your flatbed(some call it trailer) is very important in the haulage business especially in Nigeria.
If you dont want to experience container falling down from your truck, please i beg you, PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOOKS ON YOUR FLATEDBED. Every flatbed has at least 4 hooks at most 8 hooks. If any inexperience equipment operator( the loading machine is actually called REACHSTACKER) load your truck, he is bound to bend or sometimes break the hook. That is why your driver is allowed to be present when the truck is being loaded to guide the operator for accurate dropping of the container on the flatbed.
There are corrective measures when the hooks are bent or broken. Some trucks dont have complete hooks. If you have 3 hooks during operation, you can go and discharge the load at the final destination and come to drop the empty container,then move to the welder's workshop to adjust the hooks.
Inspection of the hooks must be carried out on regular basis. Your hooks is just like a lock. Once the truck is loaded, the truck driver must put his hand under the flatbed to lock the container with his hooks.
You can get the best flatbed in the world(65 tonnes-80 tonnes) if the truck dont have good hooks "one day one day katakata go burst"( the container will fall) If your container falls, you are going to be in these circumstances below:
1. You are likely to kill people
2. You are likely to damage a someone's car.
3. You will cause heavy traffic and bring serious attention to your stupidity
4. You truck will be impounded until you pay for damages.
5. Then you and the owner of the goods will be in serious dilemna.
I will advise you to always check the hooks. Dont be too greedy.Everything is not about JOBS JOBS JOBS . It is SAFETY FIRST. Bye.
More Info: 08185208688 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Today lets talk about why containers fall down from trucks always. Your flatbed(some call it trailer) is very important in the haulage business especially in Nigeria.
If you dont want to experience container falling down from your truck, please i beg you, PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOOKS ON YOUR FLATEDBED. Every flatbed has at least 4 hooks at most 8 hooks. If any inexperience equipment operator( the loading machine is actually called REACHSTACKER) load your truck, he is bound to bend or sometimes break the hook. That is why your driver is allowed to be present when the truck is being loaded to guide the operator for accurate dropping of the container on the flatbed.
There are corrective measures when the hooks are bent or broken. Some trucks dont have complete hooks. If you have 3 hooks during operation, you can go and discharge the load at the final destination and come to drop the empty container,then move to the welder's workshop to adjust the hooks.
Inspection of the hooks must be carried out on regular basis. Your hooks is just like a lock. Once the truck is loaded, the truck driver must put his hand under the flatbed to lock the container with his hooks.
You can get the best flatbed in the world(65 tonnes-80 tonnes) if the truck dont have good hooks "one day one day katakata go burst"( the container will fall) If your container falls, you are going to be in these circumstances below:
1. You are likely to kill people
2. You are likely to damage a someone's car.
3. You will cause heavy traffic and bring serious attention to your stupidity
4. You truck will be impounded until you pay for damages.
5. Then you and the owner of the goods will be in serious dilemna.
I will advise you to always check the hooks. Dont be too greedy.Everything is not about JOBS JOBS JOBS . It is SAFETY FIRST. Bye.
More Info: 08185208688 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Saturday 19 January 2013
BASIC REQUIREMENT TO START HAULAGE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA
Hello Guys, i hope you are all enjoying every post of mine. The idea behind my blog is to get you equip with enough information before you invest in haulage business in Nigeria. Ask questions from professionals and i believe there is no crime in paying a consultant. Very soon, i might have to create an EBOOK on how to start a haulage business in Nigeria.
Today i will give specifics on the basic requirements to start haulage business in Nigeria.As at today,i still receive mails from people asking me to tell them this or that that has been on my blog freely since last year.Anyway Lets start with the basic requiremets. I will just name them for qick references for you below.
1.A good truck with a sound engine: Top on the list is MACK Truck (Specifications are "R"model Types or "CH" model.
Double Axle types are very important to start in Nigeria.
Other trucks are DAF,MAN,TURBO. But MACK top them all due to its ruggedity and availabilty of parts.Averagely cheap parts and Averagely good technicians.
2.Flatbeds. Very techincal. You may choose to go for the 20ft or 40ft. average tonnes you should look for is 30 tonnes. any flatbed below 30 tonnes is dangerous.
3. Tyres. Be prepare to change some tyres especially the front tyres of the truck. Look for good tyre dealers that get their tyres from importers or companies.
4. Battery. Be very sure that your battery is in good shape.Be smart by getting 2x100 volts because of the Nigerian system. your technician will explain this better. Although not a most if you are very sure of the genuinity of a single 200 volts.
5. Maintenance Tools. Here i am talking about spanners,fuel hoses, tyre rods,jack etc.
6.Extra tyres. This is a ticket to enter the port.If your truck dont have it attached to its truck,it might be sent out of the terminal.
7.Safety gadgets. You must have equipped your truck driver with safety helmets and safety boots. Very important as all terminal operators believe that safety is first.
Just be honest with yourselfand get all these things done,i bet you will sleep every night.Infact the first 4 months will see you praising God. Now after the first 3 months,the 4th month,try and overhaul most tyres and replace your battery. Your peers will ask you how come you dont suffer much.just guide your skills jealously,they will say you are doing "juju" or "voodoo". It is all about MAINTENANCE.shikena
More info:081852086880 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Today i will give specifics on the basic requirements to start haulage business in Nigeria.As at today,i still receive mails from people asking me to tell them this or that that has been on my blog freely since last year.Anyway Lets start with the basic requiremets. I will just name them for qick references for you below.
1.A good truck with a sound engine: Top on the list is MACK Truck (Specifications are "R"model Types or "CH" model.
Double Axle types are very important to start in Nigeria.
Other trucks are DAF,MAN,TURBO. But MACK top them all due to its ruggedity and availabilty of parts.Averagely cheap parts and Averagely good technicians.
2.Flatbeds. Very techincal. You may choose to go for the 20ft or 40ft. average tonnes you should look for is 30 tonnes. any flatbed below 30 tonnes is dangerous.
3. Tyres. Be prepare to change some tyres especially the front tyres of the truck. Look for good tyre dealers that get their tyres from importers or companies.
4. Battery. Be very sure that your battery is in good shape.Be smart by getting 2x100 volts because of the Nigerian system. your technician will explain this better. Although not a most if you are very sure of the genuinity of a single 200 volts.
5. Maintenance Tools. Here i am talking about spanners,fuel hoses, tyre rods,jack etc.
6.Extra tyres. This is a ticket to enter the port.If your truck dont have it attached to its truck,it might be sent out of the terminal.
7.Safety gadgets. You must have equipped your truck driver with safety helmets and safety boots. Very important as all terminal operators believe that safety is first.
Just be honest with yourselfand get all these things done,i bet you will sleep every night.Infact the first 4 months will see you praising God. Now after the first 3 months,the 4th month,try and overhaul most tyres and replace your battery. Your peers will ask you how come you dont suffer much.just guide your skills jealously,they will say you are doing "juju" or "voodoo". It is all about MAINTENANCE.shikena
More info:081852086880 or haulagemover@gmail.com
BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO START HAULAGE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA.
Hello Guys, i hope you are all enjoying every post of mine. The idea behind my blog is to get you equip with enough information before you invest in haulage business in Nigeria. Ask questions from professionals and i believe there is no crime in paying a consultant. Very soon, i might have to create an EBOOK on how to start a haulage business in Nigeria.
Today i will give specifics on the basic requirements to start haulage business in Nigeria.As at today,i still receive mails from people asking me to tell them this or that that has been on my blog freely since last year.Anyway Lets start with the basic requiremets. I will just name them for qick references for you below.
1.A good truck with a sound engine: Top on the list is MACK Truck (Specifications are "R"model Types or "CH" model.
Double Axle types are very important to start in Nigeria.
Other trucks are DAF,MAN,TURBO. But MACK top them all due to its ruggedity and availabilty of parts.Averagely cheap parts and Averagely good technicians.
2.Flatbeds. Very techincal. You may choose to go for the 20ft or 40ft. average tonnes you should look for is 30 tonnes. any flatbed below 30 tonnes is dangerous.
3. Tyres. Be prepare to change some tyres especially the front tyres of the truck. Look for good tyre dealers that get their tyres from importers or companies.
4. Battery. Be very sure that your battery is in good shape.Be smart by getting 2x100 volts because of the Nigerian system. your technician will explain this better. Although not a most if you are very sure of the genuinity of a single 200 volts.
5. Maintenance Tools. Here i am talking about spanners,fuel hoses, tyre rods,jack etc.
6.Extra tyres. This is a ticket to enter the port.If your truck dont have it attached to its truck,it might be sent out of the terminal.
7.Safety gadgets. You must have equipped your truck driver with safety helmets and safety boots. Very important as all terminal operators believe that safety is first.
Just be honest with yourselfand get all these things done,i bet you will sleep every night.Infact the first 4 months will see you praising God. Now after the first 3 months,the 4th month,try and overhaul most tyres and replace your battery. Your peers will ask you how come you dont suffer much.just guide your skills jealously,they will say you are doing "juju" or "voodoo". It is all about MAINTENANCE.shikena
More info:081852086880 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Today i will give specifics on the basic requirements to start haulage business in Nigeria.As at today,i still receive mails from people asking me to tell them this or that that has been on my blog freely since last year.Anyway Lets start with the basic requiremets. I will just name them for qick references for you below.
1.A good truck with a sound engine: Top on the list is MACK Truck (Specifications are "R"model Types or "CH" model.
Double Axle types are very important to start in Nigeria.
Other trucks are DAF,MAN,TURBO. But MACK top them all due to its ruggedity and availabilty of parts.Averagely cheap parts and Averagely good technicians.
2.Flatbeds. Very techincal. You may choose to go for the 20ft or 40ft. average tonnes you should look for is 30 tonnes. any flatbed below 30 tonnes is dangerous.
3. Tyres. Be prepare to change some tyres especially the front tyres of the truck. Look for good tyre dealers that get their tyres from importers or companies.
4. Battery. Be very sure that your battery is in good shape.Be smart by getting 2x100 volts because of the Nigerian system. your technician will explain this better. Although not a most if you are very sure of the genuinity of a single 200 volts.
5. Maintenance Tools. Here i am talking about spanners,fuel hoses, tyre rods,jack etc.
6.Extra tyres. This is a ticket to enter the port.If your truck dont have it attached to its truck,it might be sent out of the terminal.
7.Safety gadgets. You must have equipped your truck driver with safety helmets and safety boots. Very important as all terminal operators believe that safety is first.
Just be honest with yourselfand get all these things done,i bet you will sleep every night.Infact the first 4 months will see you praising God. Now after the first 3 months,the 4th month,try and overhaul most tyres and replace your battery. Your peers will ask you how come you dont suffer much.just guide your skills jealously,they will say you are doing "juju" or "voodoo". It is all about MAINTENANCE.shikena
More info:081852086880 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Tuesday 8 January 2013
DOWNTIME PERIOD IN HAULAGE IN BUSINESS IN NIGERIA
I am really excited to be back after 2 months of absense on my blog. It has been a busy period since October last year. I really didnt want to miss the ride(lot of jobs) and it was a time when you have to be smart with drivers.
Being the first post of the year of the year, i wan to carry you along on developments and you will have to picture out things in your mind.
Lets discuss about the downtime period in the haulage .Do you know that JANUARY, FEBRUARY,MARCH AND APRIL has always been a downtime period in haulage business. Let me give the reasons below.
1. Socially, individuals who import on regular basis are the "IBO BOYS"(one of Nigeian Ethic group). These guys come home every December to celebrate Christmas and New Year. During these period,go to Alaba International Market or Ladipo International Market,you will understand what i mean.
2. A lot of companies in Nigeria close for business in the middle of december to resume back in january .What does these mean?It simply means that production will either stop or reduce.Invariably, importation of raw materials or finished goods is being halted or reduce.
3. A lot of Nigeria workers like going for annual leave in December and these affects man power and flow of work. If you have a driver who is keen on travelling in December,do you stop him or you hurriedly look for a driver you dont know too well.
As a result of all these purchasing power of everyone is affected .Money is being spent on festive occassions, travelling tickets etc. In january, you prepare to pay for house rent,children's school fees,parents welfare,new wardrobe etc.
While these happen, agents, middlemen and company's take advantage of the available jobs by paying low for jobs. Though the difference is not much,but it affects your net profit. Have you talk to your manager on this? Be smart because you might not get what you are suppose to get at these period from him.
If you own your truck, you are not liable to anybody.
Bye for now. I gat to pick my daughter from School. Work is very low. Still resting at home.
More details:08185208688 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Being the first post of the year of the year, i wan to carry you along on developments and you will have to picture out things in your mind.
Lets discuss about the downtime period in the haulage .Do you know that JANUARY, FEBRUARY,MARCH AND APRIL has always been a downtime period in haulage business. Let me give the reasons below.
1. Socially, individuals who import on regular basis are the "IBO BOYS"(one of Nigeian Ethic group). These guys come home every December to celebrate Christmas and New Year. During these period,go to Alaba International Market or Ladipo International Market,you will understand what i mean.
2. A lot of companies in Nigeria close for business in the middle of december to resume back in january .What does these mean?It simply means that production will either stop or reduce.Invariably, importation of raw materials or finished goods is being halted or reduce.
3. A lot of Nigeria workers like going for annual leave in December and these affects man power and flow of work. If you have a driver who is keen on travelling in December,do you stop him or you hurriedly look for a driver you dont know too well.
As a result of all these purchasing power of everyone is affected .Money is being spent on festive occassions, travelling tickets etc. In january, you prepare to pay for house rent,children's school fees,parents welfare,new wardrobe etc.
While these happen, agents, middlemen and company's take advantage of the available jobs by paying low for jobs. Though the difference is not much,but it affects your net profit. Have you talk to your manager on this? Be smart because you might not get what you are suppose to get at these period from him.
If you own your truck, you are not liable to anybody.
Bye for now. I gat to pick my daughter from School. Work is very low. Still resting at home.
More details:08185208688 or haulagemover@gmail.com
Thursday 20 September 2012
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
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
Monday 3 September 2012
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