3 Reasons Why Trucking Companies Use Freight Factoring

eCapital Corp

Last Modified : Oct 07, 2024

Fact-checked by: Bruce Sayer

Why do so many trucking and transportation companies include freight factoring as part of their financing toolkit? The business rationale for factoring trucking receivables is primarily based on the ease and convenience of gaining immediate access to cash. With so many operational expenses having to be paid out every day trucks are on the road, trucking companies are constantly in need of working capital. Factoring trucking receivables provides predictable cash flow by converting invoices into cash within 24 hours. This financial certainty is key to supporting your company’s sustainability through boom periods, economic hardships, and everything in between.

Not sure if factoring trucking receivables is right for your trucking business? Consider the three main reasons for using this mainstream financial option and measure it against your trucking company’s needs.

1. Accessing working capital to meet operating expenses

Next to finding freight and managing drivers, reliable funding is one of the main concerns for trucking company owners. Even the most successful trucking companies go through periods where their outgoing cash requirements exceed cash-on-hand. When you have to invest the manpower and resources upfront to deliver your services, it’s often tough to wait 30-60 days for an invoice to be paid. In the interim, you still need to make payroll, pay for fuel and maintenance, and the dozen other day-to-day expenses needed to keep your trucks rolling.

For many industries, the first option is to approach the bank for a commercial line of credit. However, because it poses so many risk considerations, the banking system considers the trucking industry unstable. Even before the volatility of the Covid pandemic disrupted life as we know it, fluctuating freight volumes, roller coaster rates and record insolvencies were commonplace, the very conditions banks want to avoid. For this reason, most trucking companies are denied qualification for a commercial line of credit.

Trucking companies that manage to secure bank financing find themselves governed by debt covenants that negatively affect their business. These restrictive terms and conditions limit the business owner’s ability to make independent financial decisions and stifle the company’s ability to grow.

Factoring trucking receivables is entirely different:

• Freight factoring is designed exclusively for the trucking industry.
• Qualification is quick and easy for startup companies to large established fleets.
• Funding can start within two days of applying.
• Funding grows as your business grows.
• Use funds as needed – there are no restrictive loan covenants.
• Factoring trucking receivables does not incur debt.

Factoring trucking receivables is the ideal solution for smaller or startup trucking companies needing fast, cost-effective funding. For large established fleets, Factoring Line of Credit (FLOC) is the best choice. This highly flexible financing option is a specialized form of factoring trucking receivables designed exclusively for fleets. FLOC creates a revolving line of credit from which funds are accessed as needed and charges are only applied to the capital you use, plus a small monthly administrative fee.

2. Managing a wide variety of credit terms

Every customer is different, and the payment terms you agree to will often vary.  If you could convince every client to pay you within 15 days, without exception, accounts receivable management would be easy. However, that simply isn’t the way it works. What results is a cash flow roller coaster that can be difficult to predict and track even if all customers pay within their agreed upon term. When you add to the mix those customers who pay late, the water becomes even muddier.

Factoring trucking receivables evens out cash flow, making it predictable and immediate. You issue your invoices and receive cash within 24 hours. The factoring company manages your receivables and waits to be paid by your customer. An experienced team of accounts receivable specialists act professionally and courteously to improve collections and maintain positive relationships with your customers. Factoring trucking receivables creates immediate access to cash and reduces the administrative time, headaches and costs of chasing after receivables.

3. Supporting business growth and transition

Talk to any trucking business owner who has experienced accelerated growth or has gone through a significant business transition, and they will tell you that these business stages require effective cash flow management. Exciting as they may be, these are often turbulent times. Traditional financiers, like banks, smell the greatest risk during these business stages and withhold any possibility of financial assistance. Knowing how to wisely grow your trucking business is a puzzle for many owners.

If you haven’t already guessed, factoring trucking receivables is the solution. Factoring companies take a different view of high growth and trucking businesses in transition. Trucking companies stretching to grow are success stories that freight factoring companies willingly support. Companies in transition are realigning their organization to better manage future operations. As long as you deal with creditworthy customers, you are in a favorable position to qualify for factoring. The more invoices your company generates as business volumes grow, the more funding becomes available.

The most valuable funding advice anyone can give is to work with a financial provider who knows your business. The best factoring companies are industry-specific financial service providers with specialized products and trained professional staff members who know and understand the industry.

What is Non-Recourse Factoring?

Another option to consider when factoring trucking receivables is non-recourse factoring. Unlike traditional factoring, in non-recourse factoring, the factor assumes the risk of non-payment by the original debtor. If the debtor doesn’t pay the invoice due to insolvency, the trucking company is not required to repay the factor. This method allows businesses to obtain immediate liquidity without the liability of potential non-payment by customers facing financial distress.

Conclusion

Factoring trucking receivables presents a strategic financial solution for trucking companies facing cash flow challenges, managing varying credit terms, and navigating growth or transitions. By providing immediate access to working capital without the restrictive covenants typical of traditional bank loans, freight factoring empowers businesses to maintain operations smoothly and foster growth. With options like non-recourse factoring available, trucking companies can further mitigate risks associated with customer non-payment. As the industry evolves, factoring trucking receivables can ensure financial stability and support long-term success.

Contact us for more information or to start factoring trucking receivables.

Key Takeaways

• Trucking companies are constantly in need of working capital. Factoring trucking receivables provides predictable cash flow by converting invoices into cash within 24 hours.
• Factoring trucking receivables creates immediate access to working capital, mitigates the administrative burden of chasing after receivables, and supports growth.
• Trucking companies can further mitigate risks associated with customer non-payment by using non-recourse factoring.
• The best factoring companies are industry-specific financial service providers with specialized products and trained professional staff members who know and understand the trucking industry.

eCapital Corp

eCapital Corp. is committed to supporting small and middle-market companies in the United States, Canada, and the UK by accelerating their access to capital through financial solutions like invoice factoring, factoring lines of credit, asset-based lending and equipment refinancing. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, eCapital is an innovative leader in providing flexible, customized cash flow to businesses. For more information about eCapital, visit eCapital.com.