There is a lot of talk about new e-broker platforms, uber phenomena and the developments, see the disappearance of the profession of charterer. This business had its best days and even if indeed we can talk of a significant slowdown of this profession, it might be premature to talk of his disappearance.
Why do you need an intermediary?
The charterer is an expert in his field that facilitates relationships between actors with multiple needs in a fragmented sector: strong of his experience, this professional acts as real human relay between the client company and the carrier. Listen, it offers a tailor-made transport adapted to the requirements of its customers and those of the legal and regulatory environment. A good intermediary is still the one who will optimize the best transport of the goods for his client.
The current trend is the elimination of intermediaries. However, with the globalization of flows and actors, the rise of demands in terms of knowledge of the markets and the cultural and linguistic differences they imply, one should not neglect their important role of “mediator” in this complex logistical and international chain.
Disappearance or change of the course?
It can clearly be said that some of the profession’s working methods are backward and ineffective, totally out of step with the changes in our economy that is driven by new technologies. We have been observing it daily for 20 years here in the Franco-Spanish border area. In this race for modernization, the evolutions are hard to follow for the actors whose capacities to invest in research and development are limited.
Small intermediaries failing to follow they disappear or are absorbed by the largest.
This does not mean that the profession is doomed to disappear. The arrival on the sector of the new intermediaries of the type UberFreight are none other than what the freight exchanges are with the minitel: a logical development of working methods that have become inadequate to the requirements of this time.
Conclusion:
By way of comparison, not so long ago, there was talk of the disappearance of certain manual occupations. However, we must note that we are now seeing a return to the basics, some traditional trades and craftsmanship following the professional discontent brought about by globalization and the impoverishment of intellectual tasks.
On the contrary, I think we should see in this difficult period a stage of economic transition that will boost the operators to opt for changes in strategies, reorientations, and to add value by creating innovative services. Which reminds me of this quote from Bernard Nadoulek “a company without order is unable to survive, but a company without disorder is unable to evolve”.