airhunters seek ‘air’ in trucks

Two former Wim Bosman executives started the company airhunters, a new service provider focused on smartly filling empty spaces in trucks. “We think transportation can be smarter and more sustainable.”

Airhunters is a service provider whose main goal is to fill empty spaces in empty trucks that are running anyway. “Transportation in categories that other service providers think ‘rather not’ we solve,” says Erik Roelevink, one of the two owners. He calls it “craziness,” the shipments that cause regular logistics service providers headaches or dismiss with a “no” or rather not.

cargopooling

Airhunters is only too happy to sink its teeth into such issues. And they do so without adding an extra transport movement. It doesn’t matter what it is (dangerous goods, conditioned, frozen), where it has to go or when and how it has to be delivered. Roelevink: “We help these customers and find a solution in the existing network of logistics service providers.” Hans van Wieringen, the other owner of airhunters. “We know many people in the logistics world through our years of work experience at Wim Bosman, among others. Often shipments can hitch a ride on a truck that is going in the same direction anyway.”

Airhunters works with country specialists and enjoys working with medium-sized logistics providers. “Where the planner still knows the driver, that works best,” Roelevink said. “Then they often say, here’s the driver’s phone number, give him a call.”

cooperation with third parties

If a shipment needs to go somewhere quickly, the client often relies on the usual express services. Airhunters offers a cheaper alternative to this by creatively solving the puzzle with existing third-party rolling stock. “As long as you communicate well, it doesn’t matter which driver comes to the door,” Roelevink and Van Wieringen believe. “We also notice that this way it becomes easier for companies to unload or load something at the competitor’s premises. Because we are neutral it removes the fear from logistics service providers to cooperate among themselves.”

solution within an hour

Airhunters started in January and already has a customer database of more than 50 companies. When a customer calls, Roelevink and Van Wieringen return within an hour with a solution and a rate. For shipments that are a little less urgent, the company developed the Filler service. A departure schedule to France, for example, of twice a week instead of daily. “This allows us to get the shipment to its final destination for a lower rate because we can plan efficient routes and combine shipments.” Shipments are loaded onto trucks that drive directly to the appropriate region whenever possible to avoid overloading and damage to the goods.

transparent rates

Price clarity up front, an all-in price per job. No surcharges or hidden fees. Transparent and clear.

Source: Annemiek Jorritsma, Logistics