Starting a Logistics Company – Sample Business Plan Template, ProfitableVenture

Starting a Logistics Company – Sample Business Plan Template. Do you want to start a logistics company from scratch? Or you need a sample logistics business plan template? If YES, then i advice you read on. Logistics company is a company that offers storage and transportation services to businesses. They specialize in international and national transportation of goods and products via shipping, air freight, trucking, and also have warehouses for short time storage before the products are transported to their final destination. The logistics industry is a billion dollar industry and a very competitive one, because anybody who imports anything into a country or manufactures any form of product will need the services of a logistic company to get the products from that location too the final destination until it gets to the final destination. Starting your logistics company is a capital intensive business but you are sure of a high returns on your investment and you have the potentials of turning the business into a multi million dollar business if managed well. This main focus of this article will be on how to start a logistic company, and also steps to take to maintain success in the business. Starting a Logistics Company – Sample Business Plan Template. 1. Get the Required Training -: This type of business is not one that you wake up to start without taking training courses on logistics and management. You can register for any of the logistic related courses online or in a college nearby; remember that there are various aspects of logistics, air transport, shipping, warehousing, trucking etc. You have to choose an aspect or two you wish to build your company on and take courses in the area. Another way to get over this is by going to work in a logistic company as an internship. 2. Build Your Business Plan -: After you are through with the training before getting into other stages of starting your logistic company, you need to develop a clear cut business plan for the company. The business should include your for the company, the goal for the next five years of the company, define the company’s market and its expectation and how your company will be unique from other logistic companies in the area. Your logistics company business plan will give you a clear vision of how to build the company. 3. Register Your Company and Get the Necessary License -: You need to go through the process of registering your company as a legal entity. It will be advisable to register the business as a private limited liability company; you can go public later in the future. Also, you need to get the license that will allow you operate your logistic company in the state. 4. Raise the Required Capital -: I mentioned earlier in this article that starting a logistic company is capital intensive. You should know the estimate amount of capital you need to run the business from your business plan. If you have the capital, much better go ahead to the next stage, if you don’t, you can raise the capital to start your logistic company through the following ways: Get a Partner– : if you have the knowledge and the technical know how to run a logistic company, you can get a partner who will contribute financially towards starting up the company. The partner can be in charge of the financial aspect of the business while you concentrate on running the logistic aspect of the business. Make a clear agreement with your partner from the onset on how profits and liabilities will be shared in the company to avoid complications in the future. Look for Angel Investors -: Angel investors are wealthy people with plenty cash at their disposal. They invest in new start ups and don’t concern themselves with how the business is run, they get paid an agreed percent from the company’s profits. You can look out for an angel investor to finance the business. 5. Get a Physical Office Space for your Company -: Get a physical office for your company. It will give your clients enough confidence in your company. If you are extending to warehousing, you need to get a secured space for your warehouse. It should be located near the wharf if the warehouse will be used for short time storage for shipped consignments. 6. Get Insurance Cover -: Running a logistic company is kind of risky. For instance, if your company’s truck with a load full of product gets involved in an accident that resulted to the loss of the products, your logistic company will be responsible for paying back the cash worth of the products damaged. One way to reduce the risky involved is by getting an insurance cover for your logistic company that will cover both foreseeable and unforeseeable damages in the future. The insurance premium may be expensive but it will save you a lot of expenses and court matters in the future. 7. Advert Your Company -: I am of this opinion that no business can run effectively without good advert no matter how good a service the company or business offers. Some ways to advertise your logistic company is by; Send out proposals to major manufacturing companies and import and export companies in your location of the services you offer and the benefits they will derive from using the services your logistic company. Creating an online presence by building a website and having an active presence in popular social networks on the internet. Place adverts on business column of popular magazine publications and also on authority business site with much audience. 3 Action Tips for Growing your Startup Logistics Company. The following tips will come in handy after the company is up and running. You need to take the steps listed below to help grow the company into a top logistic company. a. Build a Brand for Your Company -: The brand will be a image of the company, and things that makes your company different from other logistic companies. If you succeed in building a brand name for your company, it will easier for the company to grow. b. Plough Back Your Profit -: The profit you make in the first few years should be invested back into the business to expand it. The first few years of building the company can be tricky and stressful that is why you need to plough back any profits you make into stabilizing the financial strength of the company. c. Consult Professionals -: Don’t hesitate to consult the services of professionals at any point in time; like getting a professional accountant to help take charge of your finances.