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Freight cost optimization · Lever 7 of 10

Freight rate benchmarking

Know what your freight should cost. We compare every lane you ship with current market rates, so you can see where you're paying too much, by how much and why.

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Independent freight savings advisorNot a broker or carrierNo upfront feePaid only from savings verified on your invoices
Lever 7 of 10

Signs this lever could lower your freight spend

  • You can't say what a typical load or case costs on your main lanes
  • Different carriers charge very different rates on similar lanes
  • Freight spend rose faster than shipping volume
  • Budget and actual freight cost keep drifting apart
  • Rates are compared with last year, not with the market

What freight rate benchmarking means

Freight rate benchmarking compares what you pay, lane by lane, with what the market is paying for similar freight. It turns a large freight bill into clear numbers: cost per pound, per case, per pallet and per mile, by lane and carrier.

It's the first step of every review and the starting point for carrier and contract negotiation.

Industry data

What benchmarking is worth

Third-party figures from the sources linked under each number. They are not Maximizer Team results and do not predict your savings.

What we review

Lever 7 of 10. From your 12 months of invoices and rate files, we look at:

  • Lane-by-lane market comparisonYour paid rates against current market rates for similar freight
  • Unit costsCost per pound, case, pallet and mile by lane, carrier and customer
  • Carrier competitivenessWhich carriers are priced above market on which lanes
  • Spend varianceWhere freight spend moved faster than volume, and why
  • Contract vs paidWhether invoices match the rates you agreed to
  • Fuel and accessorialsFuel and accessorial charges as part of total cost, not hidden in averages

How we measure the savings

The benchmark sets your finance-approved baseline: the starting point every saving is measured against. We report identified, implemented and realized savings separately, and we never add overlapping savings together.

Why us

Why Maximizer Team

  • IndependentNot a broker or a carrier. We don't sell capacity or take carrier commissions, so our only interest is lowering your cost.
  • ExperiencedBased in Las Vegas and working with shippers nationwide, led by Michael Holvoet: 20+ years in logistics and $1B+ in freight managed across dry van, reefer, LTL, parcel and intermodal.
  • Paid on resultsNo upfront fees. We're paid only from savings verified on your invoices, measured against a baseline your finance team approves.
  • Built for mid-size and larger shippersMost clients spend $1M or more a year on freight.

Benchmark · Implement · Verify

How it works

  1. BenchmarkAfter a short intro call, you send 12 months of freight invoices and your rate files (we sign an NDA where appropriate). We build a baseline your finance team approves and compare your costs with the market.
  2. ImplementWe rank the opportunities by size and effort, then work with your team, carriers and warehouses to put the changes in place.
  3. VerifyEvery month we check paid invoices against the baseline and report realized savings, so you see what actually changed, not just what was promised.
See how it works in detail →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

More answers on our FAQ page

What is freight rate benchmarking?

It's comparing what you pay on each lane with current market rates for similar freight, so you know where you're overpaying and by how much.

What data do you need?

12 months of freight invoices and your carrier rate files. Shipment details like weights, pallets and cases make the cost per case and per pallet more accurate.

What do I get from the free review?

A written review of your biggest freight savings opportunities, based on your own invoices, within 14 days.

Is the benchmark the same as the baseline?

The benchmark shows where you stand against the market. The baseline is what your finance team approves as the starting point for measuring savings.

How much does it cost?

The 14-day freight savings review is free. There's no upfront fee. If you go ahead, we're paid only from savings verified on your invoices. Recovered deductions are tracked and reported as their own category of verified savings.

Are you a freight broker?

No. Maximizer Team is an independent freight savings advisor. We don't haul freight, sell capacity or take carrier commissions, so our advice isn't tied to any carrier.

How often should freight rates be benchmarked?

Markets move, so a rate that was competitive when you signed can drift. We benchmark during the review and use the results to show which lanes are worth re-bidding or renegotiating now, rather than waiting for a fixed schedule.

Do you benchmark fuel surcharges and accessorials too?

Yes. We compare the full cost of each shipment, including fuel surcharge, accessorials and minimum charges, not just the line-haul or base rate. Two carriers with similar base rates can end up far apart once those are added.

Find out what your freight should cost

Start with a short intro call. Then send us 12 months of freight invoices. In 14 days you'll get a free written review of your biggest freight savings opportunities across all 10 levers, including this one.

Get my free freight reviewNo upfront fees. Paid only from savings verified on your invoices. NDA available.