How to Start a Sprinter Van Expediting Business

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A sprinter van expediting business is a cargo transportation business. Sprinter van expediting is the delivery of LTL cargo (often between 1-4 standard pallets) that need to be transported quickly or in an emergency. These loads may have longer routes than local deliveries and may span hundreds of miles.

A sprinter van expediter is a truck driver who is known to frequently travel for long distances while sleeping in the rear of the vehicle.

According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, as of February 2021, there were 996,894 for-hire carriers on record with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 813,440 private carriers, and 83,235 other interstate motor carriers.

Steps on How to Start a Sprinter Van Expediting Business

Conduct Market Research

To be able to optimize revenue from the firm, you would need a trustworthy market analysis. Developing market-based research questions that are in accordance with your overall business goal and objective should be the first stage in the market research process for your sprinter van expediting company.

In this regard, you should look for information that will provide you with trustworthy insight into what your potential market will require from a sprinter van expediting business, as well as information that will make operating your sprinter van expediting business less stressful and, of course, help you grow the business to stability and profitability within the shortest time frame.

a. Who is the Target Market for Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

E-commerce businesses
Merchants and Warehouse Operators
Retailers who would want to move their goods from one location to another
Manufacturers
Households who would want to move from one apartment to another
Corporate organizations who would want to move from one office to another
Government agencies that have cause to move light goods and materials from one location to another.

b. Is Sprinter Van Expediting Business a Profitable Business?

Yes, the sprinter van expediting business is quite profitable. Available data shows that a self-operated sprinter van expediting business owner can make up to $264,000 per year gross.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

No, there are no existing niches when it comes to the sprinter van expediting business because the sprinter van expediting business is a subset of the moving and storage industry.

d. Who are the Major Competitors?

Fusion Transportation Group Expedite
V3 Transportation
North American Specialized Transport
Load One Transport
A Plus Expediting
Freightech Inc.
MB Global Logistics, Inc.
Tri-State Expedited Service, Inc.
Brown Trucking Company
Cowtown Express
Sprinter Emergency Transport
American Freight LLP
Delta Express Inc.
Expedited Transportation
Denver Intermodal Xpress
GTS Transportation Corp.
A Truck Express
Bengal Shipping Company.

e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

No, there are no county or state regulations or zoning laws for the sprinter van expediting business, but players in this industry are expected to work with the existing regulations governing similar businesses in the county where their business is domiciled.

f. Is There a Franchise for Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

No, there are no franchise opportunities for sprinter van expediting business.

g. What Do You Need to Start a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

A Feasibility Report
Business and Marketing Plans
Business Licenses and Permits
Sprinter Vans, or Box Trucks
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (optional)
Insurance
EIN (Employer Identification Number)/Federal Tax ID Number.
A Corporate Bank Account
US DOT Number (if your GVW is 10,001 lbs. or greater)
IRP Plates
Employees
Operational Capital (For Ongoing Expenses)

Choose a Memorable Business Name

When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable.

Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a sprinter van expediting business are;

Creative Sprinter Van Expediting Business Name ideas

Craig Transit© Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Danny Beck® Sprinter Van Expediting, LLC
Morgan Brighton© Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Logistics Solutions® Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Transport King™ Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Green Line™ Sprinter Van Expediting, LLC.
Luke Elton and Co© Sprinter Van Expediting, LLC
Swift Guys® Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Star Line© Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Cherry Peaks© Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc.
Safe Hands® Sprinter Van Expediting, LLC
Garry Line® Sprinter Van Expediting LLC
Convoy Rollers™ Sprinter Van Expediting Company, LLC
Tammy Rogers© Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.
Sun Rise® Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc.
Don Pedro™ Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc.
Sprinter Link™ Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc.
Road Master© Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc.
Fidelis Martinez® Sprinter Van Expediting, LLC
Eagle Line™ Sprinter Van Expediting, Inc.

Register Your Business

a. What Type of Business Structure is Best for Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

When it comes to the legal form of a sprinter van expediting company, an LLC is the one that the majority of companies in this industry choose. A company will prefer to form an LLC in order to be able to defend itself in court. Please keep in mind that an LLC will require an EIN if it is required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below or if it has any employees.

b. Steps to Form an LLC

Choose a Name for Your LLC.
File Articles of Organization.
Choose a registered agent.
Decide on member vs. manager management.
Create an LLC operating agreement.
Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
File annual reports.

c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

General Business License
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (optional)
US DOT Number (if your GVW is 10,001 lbs. or greater)
IRP Plates
Zonal Permits
Signage Permit
Operational State Facility Inspections for your parking

d. What Type of Certification is Needed to start a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

You don’t need any certifications to start a sprinter van expediting business.

e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

These are some of the basic legal documents that you are expected to have in place if you want to legally run your own sprinter van expediting business in the United States of America;

DBA
EIN
Business and liability insurance
Federal Tax Payer’s ID
State Permit and Building Approval (For your parking)
Certificate of Incorporation
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (optional)
US DOT Number (if your GVW is 10,001 lbs. or greater)
IRP Plates
Business License
Business Plan
Employment Agreement (offer letters)
Operating Agreement for LLCs
Insurance Policy
Online Terms of Use
Online Privacy Policy Document
Contract Document
Company Bylaws
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

Registering for intellectual property protection is not necessary if you are thinking about starting a sprinter van expediting business. This is true because the nature of the business allows you to successfully manage it without having any reason to sue anyone for using your intellectual property.

Cost Analysis and Budgeting

a. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

A sprinter van expediting firm would typically cost between $200,000 and $600,000 to start.

b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting a Sprinter Van Expediting Business

The total fee for registering the business in the United States of America – $750.
Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services totaling – $1,200.
Marketing promotion expenses (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $80.
The cost of hiring a business consultant (writing of business plans inclusive) – $4,500.
Insurance coverage – $12,400.
The cost of logistics software, accounting software, CRM software, and Payroll Software – $1,500
The cost of leasing a parking facility (long-term lease agreement) – $105,600.
The cost for facility remodeling and installations – $20,000.
The cost for the purchase of sprinter vans: $100,000
Phone and utility deposits will cost – ($2,500)
Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $50,000
The cost for the purchase of office furniture and gadgets – $8,000.
The cost of launching an official website – $600
Miscellaneous – $2,500

c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

The size of the sprinter van expediting business (number of sprinter vans to start the business with)
The choice of location
The required licenses and permits
The cost for branding, promotion, and marketing of the sprinter van expediting business
The cost of furnishing and equipping the sprinter van expediting business
The cost of insurance policy covers
The cost of registering the business
Cost of recruiting and training your staff
The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms

d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

It is not necessary to build a new facility for your sprinter van expediting business, but, if you have the required finance, it will be to your advantage to build your own parking facility and administrative office. The truth is that building or reconstructing a facility will help you come up with a facility that will perfectly fit into your overall business goals and vision.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

Gas and lubricants
Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage and software renewal fees et al)
Salaries of employees
Sprinter vans maintenance
Insurance
Marketing costs

f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

Chief Operating Officer (Owner) – $68,000 Per Year
Admin and HR Manager – $48,000 Per Year
Transport and Logistics Manager $48,000 Per Year
Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer) – $42,000 Per Year
Accountant $38,000 Per Year
Sprinter Van Expediter (Sprinter Van Drivers) – $36,800 Per Year
Material Handlers/Yard Spotters/Forklifts Operators – $28,000 Per Year
Customer Service Officer (Receptionist) – $26,100 Per Year
Security Guard -$24,000 Per Year

g. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Sprinter Van Expediting Business

Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
Raising money from investors and business partners
Sell shares to interested investors
Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from the government, donor organizations, and angel investors
Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.

Write a Business Plan

a. Executive Summary

Road Master© Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc. is a registered and licensed sprinter van expediting company that will be based in Rowland Heights, California.

We operate our company to offer expedited local and long-distance transportation of household and office goods, as well as warehousing and storage, packing, and packaging services, logistics advice, merchandise sales, and other associated services.

All necessary licenses and permits are now in place for Road Master© Sprinter Van Expediting Company, Inc. to operate all over the United States. We will make sure to follow the guidelines governing the moving and storage sector when running our business.

b. Products and Service

Expedited local and long-distance transportation of household and office goods
Warehousing and storage services
Packing and Packaging services
Process, distribution, and logistics consulting and advisory Services
Delivery Services. E-commerce Business
Home Moving Services
Advertising.

c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to ensure that we build a successful sprinter van expediting company that will operate not just in Rowland Heights, California but in the United States of America; a company that will boast of having some of the best and most reliable material handlers and transporters (sprinter van expediters) in the United States of America.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to become one of the preferred choices of individuals and organizations when it comes to moving LTL loads as fast as possible over a long distance in the United States of America.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of a sprinter van expediting business are to deliver LTL loads (typically between 1-4 standard pallets) that involve emergency or urgent transport.

e. Organizational Structure

Chief Operating Officer (Owner)
Admin and HR Manager
Transport and Logistics Manager
Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer)
Accountant
Sprinter Van Expediter (Sprinter Van Drivers)
Material Handlers/Yard Spotters/Forklifts Operators
Customer Service Officer (Receptionist)

Marketing Plan

a. SWOT Analysis

Strength:

Excellent operational history
Attention to detail.
Accurate estimates with no hidden costs.
Experience and trained professionals.
Large storage facility.
Excellent customer testimonials.
Reliable and efficient sprinter vans and service.

Weakness:

Not enough existing clientele to run at full capacity immediately
The owner is new to large-scale marketing
Will need a loan to build our facility and to purchase brand-new sprinter vans
The owner is currently running the business solo
Lack of economies of scale.

Opportunities:

Growing eCommerce activities in the United States.
Build upon existing clientele
Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets.
Increase in the number of families moving from one apartment to another.
Increase in the movement of goods from one location to another within urban centers
Increase in production activities and warehousing.

Threat:

Loans diminish profitability until they are paid off
The first year will be financially tight while we gain customers and pay off loans
Competition in the area could increase
Management of employees requires time, money, and efforts
The transport department could change its regulatory status and decide to enforce strict regulations that can strangulate new businesses.

b. How Do Sprinter Van Expediting Businesses Make Money?

Sprinter van expediting businesses make money by offering the following services;

Expedited local and long-distance transportation of household and office goods
Warehousing and storage services
Packing and Packaging services
Consulting and advisory Services
Delivery Services.
E-commerce Business
Home Moving Services.

c. Payment Options

Payment via bank transfer
Payment via credit cards
Payment via online bank transfer
Payment via check
Payment via mobile money transfer
Payment via bank draft

d. Sales & Advertising Strategies

Introduce your sprinter van expediting business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations who are into manufacturing, merchants and warehouse operators, households, and key stakeholders in and around your city and state
Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities, train stations et al.
Use friends and family to spread the word about your business
Post information about your company and the services we offer on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
Place a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about your company and the services we offer
Leverage on referral networks such as agencies that will attract clients who would need your customized services
Advertise our business in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV, and radio stations.
Attend relevant expos, seminars, and business fairs et al to market our services
Engage in a direct marketing approach
Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied students
Join local chambers of commerce and industry to market your services.

Financial Projection

a. How Much Should You Charge for your Service?

Most sprinter van expediting businesses charge an hourly rate that generally includes the type of goods to be moved and the distance to be covered.

b. How Much Profit Do Sprinter Van Expediting Business Owners Make a Year?

The average annual salary of a sprinter van owner-operator, according to ZipRecruiter, is $85,000, with a range of $22,000 to $264,000.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?

The capacity of the sprinter van expediting business (the number of sprinter vans owned)
The types of related service offerings (warehousing et al)
The location the sprinter van expediting business is covering
The management style of the sprinter van expediting business
The business approach of the sprinter van expediting business
The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the sprinter van expediting business.
The number of years the sprinter van expediting business is in business

d. What is the Profit Margin of a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

The profit margin of a sprinter van expediting business is not fixed. It could range from 15 percent to 25 percent depending on the distance of the goods to be transported.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

Below is the sales forecast for a Sprinter van expediting business. It is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in the United States;

First Fiscal Year: $320,000
Second Fiscal Year: $580,000
Third Fiscal Year: $1.15 million

Set Up your Shop/Office

a. How Do You Choose a Perfect Location for Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

The demography of the location especially as it relates to eCommerce activities and shipping
The demand for the haulage services offered by sprinter van expediting businesses in the location
The purchasing power of businesses and residents of the location
Accessibility of the location
The number of sprinter van expediting businesses, and owner-operated trucking businesses in the location
The local laws and regulations in the community/state
Traffic, parking and security et al

b. What State and City are Best to Open a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

New York City, New York
San Antonio, Texas
Greenville, South Carolina
Los Angeles, California
Brattleboro, Vermont
Palm Beach, Florida
Silver Spring, Maryland
Rowland Heights, California
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Buffalo, New York
Dallas, Texas

c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate a Sprinter van expediting business?

You should be prepared to purchase a foldable bed, forklift, loaders, pallets, and crates et al. You will also need computers (laptops), internet facilities, a telephone, a fax machine, and office furniture (chairs, tables, and shelves) amongst other.

Hire Employees

When it comes to hiring employees for a standard sprinter van expediting business, you should make plans to hire a competent chief executive officer (you can occupy this position), admin and HR manager, transport and logistics manager, marketing and sales executive (business developer), accountant, sprinter van expediters (van drivers), material handlers/yard spotters/forklifts operators and customer service officer (receptionist).

Launch the Business Proper

Currently, no sprinter van expediting business opens its door for business without first organizing an opening party to formally launch the business. You can choose to do a soft opening party if you are operating on a low budget or you can go for a grand opening party for all and sundry.

With a proper launching of the sprinter van expediting business, you will officially inform people in your city that your sprinter van expediting business is open for business.

a. What Makes a Sprinter Van Expediting Business Successful?

Choose a good location and reliable sprinter vans to launch the business
Hire only competent, hardworking, and trustworthy staff
Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your sprinter van expediting business
Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your sprinter van expediting business

b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

The business is open for the day’s work
The sprinter vans are washed, cleaned, and ready for deliveries
Customer requests are taken and they are scheduled or attended to
Schedule maintenance of sprinter vans is carried out
Marketing/website upkeep
Supply ordering
The business is closed for the day.

c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Sprinter Van Expediting Business?

Good driving skills
Customer services skills
Interpersonal skill
Logistics and material handling skills
Business management skills
Bargaining skill
Work experience in the transport and logistics industry
Experience in managing people
Experience in business administration
Experience in handling logistics and transportation software.