A strategic approach for dispatch

The increase of the average transport distances and number of trips, the decrease of equipment productivity and the specialisation of services and vehicles are the most important repercussions of the current economic context on the goods transport industry. Dispatch is highly affected by those constraints in so far as it realizes the "goods-drivers-trucks-trips" allocation. The dispatch strategy has direct repercussions on the profitability of the company. In fact, if the dispatch strategy is supply-oriented and aimed to increase equipment productivity, the company will be limited by its own capacities and resources. On the other hand, if the strategy is demand-oriented with regard to satisfy the maximum of it, the company must strive to find resources in order to satisfy its immediate needs. Therefore, which strategy would be the best with regard to the new economic context? The authors present a strategic approach for dispatch as one which can contribute significant competitive advantages to goods haulage companies. They also propose dispatch strategies which can be implemented by these companies in order to better manage operating costs and service differentiation.