This year marked the continuation—and hopefully the end—of the freight recession. The typical freight recession lasts 10 months; however, we are on month 34, making this the worst in history. Yet, even in challenging times, opportunities emerge.
2024 was a year of resilience and growth for Denim. Despite headwinds, Denim doubled revenue, and our clients’ volumes grew by 65%. From launching impactful new features to celebrating milestones alongside our customers, this year was all about moving forward, together. Let’s take a look back.
This year, we honored Natalie Schick of Alliance Logistix as the SmartBroker of the Year, a testament to her forward-thinking approach and the impact of adopting the SmartBroker mentality. Read her story.
We introduced six new integrations, including new partnerships with carrier vetting platforms MyCarrierPortal and Highway. Brokers can now directly import carrier payment settings and details directly from MCP or Highway into Denim. The integration protects sensitive data and saves brokers significant time from duplicative data entry.
Additionally, we’ve also expanded our TMS integrations to include McLeod, Rose Rocket, TAI, Revenova, and Aljex. Explore the benefits.
We celebrated processing $2 billion in payments—a major achievement and a sign of the growing trust freight brokers and trucking companies place in our solutions. See how we got here.
This year, our innovation and culture earned industry-wide recognition. We secured a spot on the FreightTech 25 list, standing out as one of only two factoring companies included. At the same time, our strong culture and supportive team environment earned us recognition as a Most Loved Workplace, with features in Newsweek and inclusion in Forbes' Best Startup lists.
These accolades reflect not only the dedication of our team but also the trust and success of the customers we serve every day.
At the Manifest conference, Denim’s CEO Bharath Krishnamoorthy sparked conversations about the future of factoring—or as we call it, ‘Reclaiming the F Word.’ He takes attendees through the history of factoring and how Denim is reimagining for a different kind of freight broker - the SmartBroker. Watch the highlights.
To support our clients at scale, we raised an additional $63M warehouse facility to ensure fast and flexible funding. Read more.
This year, we brought our team together for not one but two offsites in Charleston and New Orleans, strengthening our connections and focus as we continue to grow.
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As we look back on 2024, we’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited for what’s ahead. Thank you to our clients, team, and partners who make this journey possible. Here’s to an even bigger 2025!
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Encounter Logistics was stuck in a back-office bottleneck. Factoring loads took hours, invoices were prone to errors, and weekly cash flow spikes left little room for growth or stability. The result? Frustrated carriers, strained resources, and an unsustainable system that kept the team buried in paperwork instead of building relationships.
Enter Denim. By automating processes and simplifying operations, Denim helped Encounter Logistics turn things around:
Encounter Logistics has overcome inefficiencies, strengthened carrier relationships, and positioned itself for sustainable growth with the help of Denim.
Founded in 2009, Encounter Logistics initially managed overflow for an asset carrier. By 2016, the company began operating independently, driven by the vision of principal partners Donald Browning and Paul Burton. Their dedication to building strong relationships and expanding the business laid a solid foundation for future growth.
In a strategic move to enhance efficiency, Justin Sowa joined the team to optimize computer systems and workflows, embracing a technology-forward approach. Last year Tom Burke joined as the Director of HR and Compliance. With a lifetime of experience in the HR field, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. By 2024, Encounter Logistics had evolved into a full-fledged 3PL provider.
Guided by core values of passion, proactivity, and personability, Encounter Logistics fosters deep, family-like relationships with its carriers, proudly referring to them as their “lifeblood.” With a private carrier network and a steadfast commitment to innovation, the company skillfully balances traditional values with modern, forward-thinking solutions.
Encounter Logistics faced severe inefficiencies in their back-office operations. Each load required extensive manual paperwork, from scanning and uploading documents to combining files into PDFs and re-entering data into their previous factor’s portal. This repetitive process often took 2–3 hours per load and was prone to errors, including incorrect billing amounts that led to rejected invoices and the need to rebill customers.
The workload left little time for strategic tasks or relationship-building with carriers and customers. Payment delays caused frustration, with carriers frequently following up about lost or late checks. As Justin put it, “We had a racecar engine in a Pinto,” underscoring the gap between their potential and the limitations of their outdated systems.
Encounter Logistics needed a streamlined solution to reduce errors, speed up payments, and free their team to focus on more meaningful tasks.
When their previous factoring company refused to support an integration, Encounter Logistics turned to Tai Software for advice and was introduced to Denim. From the start, Denim’s team, led by Dan Igoe, provided hands-on support, carefully explaining their offerings and managing the transition seamlessly.
“Switching factoring companies is a big decision, but Denim made it smooth,” Justin shared. Within just 10 days of signing, Encounter Logistics was fully operational with Denim, a contrast to the slow communication they experienced with their old factor.
Denim’s proactive approach and seamless integration with Tai proved to be the right fit, giving Encounter Logistics the efficiency and automation they needed to scale.
Denim and Tai Software have improved Encounter Logistics’ back-office efficiency, providing dual benefits of saving time on invoicing and reducing the need for additional staff. Factoring, which previously took hours, now takes less than five minutes per load - a 91% increase in efficiency. After reviewing invoice details in Tai, the team simply clicks “factor,” and Denim handles the rest, including document verification, invoicing, and carrier payments.
This streamlined process has significantly reduced errors while freeing up the team to focus on meaningful work.
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Carrier relationships are the cornerstone of success for brokers. Onboarding new carriers and collecting sensitive details like banking information is a critical first step. It sets the tone for a strong, long-term partnership. Highway and Denim have joined forces to simplify this process, making it easier for brokers to build efficient, lasting relationships.
For brokers onboarding 20 or more carriers weekly, the process of creating profiles and transferring details manually is overwhelming.This integration eliminates the hassle by syncing Highway’s carrier data with Denim’s platform instantly. Payment details and factoring assignments are imported automatically, ensuring your records stay accurate and up-to-date.
Samantha Weiss of Cake Freight shared, “The Highway and Denim integration saves us 2 hours a week on manual data entry and bookkeeping.”
Highway is a leading technology provider specializing in Carrier Identity™ solutions, helping freight brokers reduce fraud and streamline the digital booking process. By automating compliance, Highway enables brokers to quickly and securely identify the right carrier for every load, ensuring their network is built with speed and trust.
“This partnership with Denim highlights Highway’s commitment to simplifying and securing freight transactions,” said Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway. “By integrating with Denim’s platform, we’re bringing new levels of efficiency and control to brokers while giving them the ability to onboard carriers with speed and confidence.”
This collaboration highlights the power of technology that can drive better outcomes for brokers, carriers, and their clients alike. Smart integrations like this empower brokers to confidently meet today's demands while preparing themselves for future opportunities.
“Partnerships and innovation can simplify the most tedious parts of running a freight brokerage,” said Denim CEO, Bharath Krishnamoorthy. “By integrating with Highway, we’re helping brokers stay agile and focused on relationships instead of getting bogged down by back-office tasks.”
If you are ready to streamline your carrier onboarding with Denim and Highway, talk to one of our experts to get started today.
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Staying ahead in the freight industry means keeping up with the latest trends and technologies—and there’s no better way to do that than by attending industry conferences and events. 2025 is packed with can’t-miss opportunities for brokers and fleets to learn, connect, and grow. Here’s our curated list of top transportation and logistics events (and a few where you might even spot us!).
Date: February 10–12, 2025
Location: The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
Manifest is the premier industry event that unites innovators in end-to-end supply chain and logistics. The gathering features everyone from Fortune 500 global supply chain executives to startup logistics service providers. Attendees can expect unprecedented access to the people and technologies that are changing the way the world moves.
Denim is excited to attend Manifest 2025! Stop by Booth 1036 to meet the team, or schedule a time to chat with us during the event.
Date: February 26, 2025
Location: Virtual (FreightWaves TV)
The FreightWaves 3PL Summit is a virtual event dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities in the third-party logistics industry. Featuring expert speakers and insightful sessions, it covers market trends, technology, and strategies for success.
Attendees can gain actionable insights into improving operational efficiency and building competitive advantages, all from the convenience of their office. The event is perfect for 3PL professionals looking to stay informed and connected.
Date: March 27–29, 2025
Location: Louisville, KY
Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) is the largest trucking trade show in the United States, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors and numerous educational sessions. Discover the latest trucking equipment, services, and industry trends while networking with trucking professionals from around the country.
Date: April 9–12, 2025
Location: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, San Antonio, TX
The TIA Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition is a meeting for third-party logistics providers. It's a once-a-year opportunity to interact with representatives from throughout North America and abroad. At TIA, attendees can engage with 3PL representatives and decision-makers, participate in educational sessions, and connect with top suppliers in the 3PL realm.
We’re excited to attend the TIA 2025 Conference. We can't wait to see you there!
Date: April 29–May 1, 2025
Location: Crowne Plaza Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
The Broker Carrier Summit is a dynamic event designed to bridge the gap between freight brokers and carriers, fostering stronger partnerships and improving communication. This two-day event offers educational sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops tailored to address the challenges brokers and carriers face in today’s ever-changing logistics environment.
Date: June 8–10, 2025
Location: Royal Sonesta Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Austin, TX
Organized by the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association, Elevate is tailored for professionals in transportation and logistics marketing and sales. The event focuses on innovative strategies, branding, and customer engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights into building stronger customer relationships and improving ROI on marketing and sales efforts.
Denim will be attending Elevate and we can’t wait to meet more transportation and logistics professionals.
Date: July 2025 (Exact date TBD)
Location: Nashville, TN
The annual Bitfreighter Charity Golf Tournament brings together logistics and technology professionals for a day of networking and philanthropy. Proceeds benefit industry-related charitable causes. At the event, attendees combine business networking with a meaningful cause while enjoying a relaxed, fun atmosphere on the golf course.
Denim will be participating in the 2025 Bitfreighter Charity Golf Tournament. Here’s to good golf and an even better cause!
Date: September 21–23, 2025
Location: Denver, CO
McLeod’s annual conference connects over 70 transportation technology vendors so attendees can gain valuable insights on products and services that can benefit their business. Experience cutting-edge technology, new integrations, and more. Plus, attendees have the chance to win some exciting prizes!
Our team will be representing Denim at the McLeod Software User Conference. Stop by booth to say hi.
Date: September 25–28, 2025
Location: Houston, TX
FreightFest is an annual conference that brings together entrepreneurs in transportation and logistics. It offers educational sessions on everything from last mile delivery to heavy hauling to running a freight brokerage. FreightFest is a must-attend event for those seeking to grow their network and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Date: October 5–8, 2025
Location: National Harbor, Maryland
CSCMP EDGE is one of the largest supply chain management conferences in the world, featuring more than 100 sessions and an exhibit hall showcasing innovations in the supply chain. Stay ahead of trends with presentations from top supply chain leaders and network with professionals from around the globe.
We’re so excited to attend CSCMP EDGE in 2025.
Date: October 2025 (Exact date TBD)
Location: Kansas City, MO
Hosted by DAT Freight & Analytics, DATCon focuses on the latest in freight analytics, TMS integrations, and marketplace trends. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of freight trends and tools to optimize their logistics operations.
Denim will be in attendance at DATCon 2025. Come say hi at our booth!
Date: October 14–17, 2025
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Innovate 2025 User Conference is where local, state, DOTs, federal and private sector organizations from across the globe go to learn, grow and connect. Previous agendas included a broad range of sessions, exhibits, training, and networking opportunities.
Date: October 25–28, 2025
Location: San Diego, CA
Organized by the American Trucking Associations, the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition is one of the most important events of the year for trucking industry leaders. It features policy discussions, educational sessions, and exhibits showcasing the latest products and services.
We can’t wait to visit sunny San Diego and meet fellow trucking leaders. Come stop by our booth!
Date: November 4–6, 2025
Location: Chattanooga, TN
FreightWaves F3 focuses on technology and innovation in freight and offers immersive demos, networking opportunities, and thought-provoking discussions. The event brings together freight and technology companies from across the country to talk innovation and supply chain. Explore cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of freight, from AI to blockchain.
Date: November 3–6, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX
The Women in Trucking Accelerate! Conference & Expo promotes gender diversity and empowerment in the transportation and logistics industry and features keynote speakers, workshops, and an extensive expo. The event highlights the achievements and opportunities for women in trucking.
Attendees will have access to over 70 educational sessions that feature more than 100 thought leaders and subject matter experts. The event focuses on six educational areas: leadership, professional development, HR/talent management, operations, sales & marketing, and professional drivers.
There are so many informative events happening in 2025 in the trucking and logistics industry that you really can’t go wrong, no matter which ones you choose to attend. Here’s to a successful year of networking, learning, and innovations. We'd love to meet up - take a look at events Denim is attending near you.
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The freight industry is no stranger to challenges, but 2025 promises to be a year of steady transformation. From the rise of automation and AI to shifts in market dynamics and a renewed focus on collaboration, industry leaders are looking ahead with cautious optimism.
We’ve gathered insights from some of the most influential voices in freight to understand what lies ahead. Their predictions touch on technology, market trends, and strategies that will shape the future of the industry. Let’s explore what’s next for freight in 2025.
"I don’t foresee massive overnight gains, but over the next 12-18 months, we’ll see incremental changes that add up," explains Chris Jolly, Founder of the Freight Coach. "Companies will likely invest in automation to stay lean and offer more competitive pricing."
The 2025 freight market is shaping up to mirror 2024 with gradual rate increases rather than dramatic shifts. By adopting automation and focusing on operational efficiency, companies aim to manage costs while remaining competitive. This steady approach could pave the way for sustained growth over the long term.
"The freight industry in 2025 won’t be about who’s the biggest—it’ll be about who’s the most adaptable," says Bharath "B" Krishnamoorthy, CEO of Denim. "Brokers and fleets that embrace flexibility in operations, financing, and partnerships will be the ones that thrive."
As market dynamics continue to shift, companies that prioritize flexible solutions—whether through innovative technology, tailored financing options, or strategic collaborations—will stand out. Denim’s focus remains on empowering brokers and fleets to navigate challenges with agility, setting them up for sustained growth in an evolving industry.
“Companies that fail to prioritize fraud prevention will not only face increased financial and reputational risks but will also struggle to compete in a market where trust is everything. Elimination fraud is the foundation that makes the rest of the broker’s tech stack effective. Without a tool like Highway, inefficiencies grow at an exponential rate throughout the rest of the tech stack. You can’t automate bad data,” says Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway.
Caney’s perspective underscores a critical point for the future of freight. Fraud prevention is more than a safeguard; it is the cornerstone of operational efficiency and trust in the market. Without addressing fraud at its core, brokers risk inefficiencies that ripple through their entire operation, undermining even the most advanced technology.
"By 2025, artificial intelligence will be the backbone of freight optimization," says Dale Prax, President and CEO of Direct Expedite. "From predictive load matching to automating routine tasks, AI will redefine how freight moves by making every step of the supply chain smarter and faster."
AI's integration will streamline operations, allowing brokers and fleets to operate more efficiently while reducing costs. Expect to see advanced machine learning models analyzing massive datasets in real-time, enabling better decision-making, mitigating risks, and driving unprecedented levels of productivity across the industry.
"As operational costs climb and carriers face unsustainable pressures, brokers must brace for a market shift that puts carriers in the driver’s seat," explains Alex Schick, CEO of Alliance Logistix. "Strengthening relationships with trusted partners is no longer optional—it’s essential to weather the coming changes."
The freight market is on the cusp of a significant supply and demand shift. Rising trucking rates, coupled with strained carrier sustainability, could lead to a dynamic where carriers reclaim leverage in negotiations. Brokers who invest in long-term partnerships and adapt their strategies during this bid cycle will be better positioned to navigate these changes while remaining competitive.
"Smaller to mid-sized 3PLs are taking market share from the top 5-10 brokers because shippers want consistency," explains Chris Brewer, CEO of River City Logistics. "They want the same account manager handling their business, not a revolving door of reps at larger operations."
Over the past two years, the shift in shipper priorities highlights the growing demand for reliable, personalized service. Mid-sized 3PLs, with their focus on consistency and strong client relationships, are increasingly outpacing larger brokers that struggle to deliver the same level of individualized care. As a result, these agile players are redefining the competitive dynamics of the freight industry.
"Predicting the future is tricky with so many global variables at play, but one thing seems clear: US freight costs will rise in 2025," says Mike Hane, Director of Product Marketing, Transportation Management Solutions at Descartes. "Spot rates are already trending upward as consumer demand grows."
While black swan events like geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters, or pandemics remain unpredictable, the freight market is already showing signs of increased costs. Factors like regulatory changes and shifting consumer demand could moderate these trends, but businesses should prepare for higher expenses as the industry navigates an evolving global landscape.
"I think we’re all optimistic that 2025 will be a climb out of the freight recession," shares Walter "Mitch" Mitchell, CEO at Tai Software. "It’s been a tough time for the industry, and a shift toward prosperity would be welcome by all."
As the freight market transitions to recovery, technology will play a pivotal role. The continued maturity of AI in processes and workflows is set to enhance operations, delivering meaningful value to teams and driving efficiency across organizations. These advancements could help turn optimism into tangible growth in the year ahead.
"In 2025, we’ll see substantial cost increases for fresh produce and imported technology, with most of those costs being passed on to consumers," predicts Max Leach, Strategic Account Manager at Port TMS.
Economic pressures and supply chain challenges are expected to drive up prices for key goods, particularly fresh produce and tech imports. These increases will ripple through the supply chain, ultimately impacting consumer spending and influencing market trends across industries. Preparing for these cost hikes will be essential for businesses and consumers alike.
"Barring any major geopolitical or economic disruptions, we’re cautiously optimistic about 4%-6% growth in trucking freight demand and revenue next year," says JJ Singh, CEO of EKA TMS.
2025 is expected to bring significant advancements in AI and workflow automation, transforming carrier and broker operations and boosting back-office efficiency. Near real-time reporting and business intelligence tools will also become more widely adopted, improving decision-making across the board.
The focus will be on three key priorities: providing customers with value to seize opportunities in an improving market, scaling investments for growth across business segments, and driving long-term returns for shareholders. These strategies position the industry for steady progress in the year ahead.
"Leading SMB freight brokers will introduce new products for carriers and shippers in 2025. We’ve heard a bit of it this year and I think next year we will see SMB brokers expand beyond freight into offering carrier services, warehousing, financial products and more. These SmartBrokers will be ahead of the pack." says Sean Smith, VP of Product and Client Services at Denim.
Freight brokers build very powerful and expansive distribution channels to offer a number of solutions for carriers and shippers. Especially as the market turns to the carriers favor, brokers who prioritize deepening these relationships will be set up for success.
"I believe the freight market will recover significantly in 2025, with the first quarter showing the strongest activity," predicts Thomas Werdine, Founder of ThinkFreight. "This will be driven by potential policy changes, such as new tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada, which could lead to a rush in imports as companies work to front-load inventory. The January 15 ILA strike deadline will also play a major role, causing a surge in freight volumes before the strike and creating bottlenecks afterward that will increase rates."
Thomas’ prediction highlights a freight market ready for recovery but shaped by complex forces. Tariff changes and the looming ILA strike could create bottlenecks and rate surges, while consumer sentiment will be crucial in sustaining demand throughout the year.
The freight industry might bring its share of surprises in 2025, but one thing is clear: steady cash flow and smart financial management are key to growth. Whether you’re looking to invest in automation, adjust to market shifts, or strengthen your operations, having a strong financial foundation is critical.
Let’s make 2025 your best year yet. Get started with Denim today and see how our solutions can help your business thrive.
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Denim hit a major milestone this quarter: over $2 billion in payments processed for brokers, shippers, and carriers across the country. With hundreds of broker and fleet customers trusting Denim, this milestone isn’t just a number; it’s a symbol of Denim’s commitment to making the freight industry’s cash flow smoother and faster.
Denim’s mission has always been to support freight businesses by getting money moving faster and removing roadblocks in day-to-day operations. And with this $2 billion mark, it’s clear that Denim is helping to create real change in the industry.
This past year, we didn’t just sit around—we kept pushing forward and made real progress. Denim’s team has rolled out over 574 individual improvements to the platform and joined forces with 6 new integration partners to make the platform even more powerful for our customers. We know the freight industry faces unique challenges, so every enhancement we’ve made is designed to save time, cut down on manual tasks, and put brokers in control of their finances.
So what does Denim’s impact look like on the ground? Here’s how Denim is making a difference for brokers and carriers every day:
Faster payments: Denim customers see payments come in faster, with an average Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) of 30 days—10 days quicker than the industry average. That’s money they can reinvest in their businesses right away.
Extra revenue from QuickPay: Denim’s QuickPay feature has always been free to use, and now it’s even more powerful. Customers can now import carrier QuickPay preferences directly from vetting programs like MCP and Highway, making it simple to set up and manage fee programs tailored to their needs. Since its launch just a few months ago, QuickPay has already helped Denim customers generate an additional $75,000 in revenue.
Growing while the industry shrinks: Despite the worst freight recession in history, Denim’s customers have seen a 65% volume increase in the last year. We’re helping our customers stay strong and competitive regardless of market conditions.
Beyond the numbers, Denim has become a trusted partner in building stronger connections within the logistics community. Our platform equips brokers with the tools to pay carriers on time, a crucial factor in maintaining positive, long-term relationships. For fleets, Denim simplifies and streamlines back-office processes—handling invoicing, payment tracking, and paperwork—so they can dedicate more energy to what truly drives growth: building strong relationships with shippers. By reducing the day-to-day administrative burden, Denim allows brokers and fleets to focus on service quality and expansion while we ensure cash flow remains steady and operations run smoothly.
This $1 billion milestone is only the beginning. Our vision for the future is to create a more connected, efficient freight industry where financial operations don’t hold brokers back but push them forward. With more tools and integrations on the way, we’re excited to keep empowering brokers and carriers to thrive.
“Reaching this milestone shows just how much of a difference we’re making for our customers. Our mission is simple: help brokers and carriers succeed, no matter the market. And we’re just getting started,” said Bharath Krishnamoorthy, Denim CEO.
With an eye on the future, we will keep driving innovation to help the freight industry succeed, one milestone at a time.
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Freight brokers now have access to faster payments with Express Factoring, Denim’s latest service providing near-instant cash flow. Advances are in your bank account within minutes* of job submission, removing the hassle of traditional cut-off times or ACH windows. Whether you or your contractors need quick access to funds, Express Factoring ensures immediate payment processing, any time of day.
Sometimes, waiting for payments isn’t an option. Express Factoring gives brokers and fleets more flexibility and control over their finances while helping them build stronger relationships with carriers. By offering even faster service than your standard QuickPay options, you can stand out to top-tier carriers and position yourself as a preferred partner. Additionally, Express Factoring opens up opportunities to monetize quicker payments, allowing brokers to provide same-day or next-day cash flow as a premium service.
Getting started with Express Factoring is simple. Clients can set their advances to default to Express Factoring or manage contractor payment settings in Denim. Once approved, payments are transferred within minutes, keeping your cash flow in sync with your operational needs.
“Our goal with Express Factoring is to give brokers more control over their cash flow, because timing is everything. Freight brokers and carriers need flexibility in today’s fast-paced market, and this feature offers just that,” says Bharath Krishnamoorthy, CEO and Co-Founder of Denim. “It’s another step in Denim’s mission to help businesses thrive by getting paid faster.”
Express Factoring is now available to eligible clients. If you’d like to learn more or see if it’s the right fit for your operations, contact our team for more details.
*Subject to destination bank limitations and account restrictions.
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The freight industry is no stranger to unpredictability. Even though some experts expected the market to rebound as we entered 2024, we’re instead seeing that volatility may be the new normal. The saying that “the only constant is change” holds true, especially for freight brokers and fleet owners.
Because of this volatility, financial flexibility is more important than ever. Without keeping your capital flexible, even the most efficient fleets or brokerages may struggle to keep up with the competition. The ability to adapt, optimize cash flow, and reduce costs is the key to survival in this dynamic environment.
Through our suite of flexible freight factoring solutions — including Selective Factoring, Flex Factoring, Express Factoring, and QuickPay — we offer freight brokers and fleets the tools they need to maintain control over their finances so they can respond quickly to changing conditions. Even if you haven’t considered factoring in the past, now might be the time.
Let’s look at the factoring solutions we provide in more detail.
Selective Factoring allows freight brokers and fleets to choose which loads they want to factor, giving them the flexibility to manage cash flow on their own terms.
Unlike traditional freight factoring, where businesses are often forced to factor every load, Denim’s Selective Factoring provides the freedom to decide which loads to factor depending on what makes the most sense for your business.
For example, a freight broker might choose to factor high-value or slow-paying loads to ensure immediate cash flow while managing the rest independently. This not only helps optimize cash flow but also enables brokerages to maintain independence and control over their financial strategy.
The key benefit of Selective Factoring is its versatility. Brokers and fleets can use capital when they need it, without the pressure to factor every transaction. This balance of predictability and flexibility helps businesses stay agile, even in the face of market fluctuations.
Denim’s Flexible Factoring goes far beyond just providing capital—it allows businesses to save significant money with the combination of adjusting payment schedules and shippers who pay fast.
By choosing when to pay contractors or when to receive payments, brokers and fleets can benefit from discounted fees. The longer payments are delayed, the lower the fee, meaning costs can be reduced without sacrificing operational efficiency.
Flexible Factoring is especially beneficial for companies that work with shippers who consistently pay faster than 30 days. With Flexible Factoring, the faster the payment is received, the lower the fee, allowing companies to save even more money while maintaining cash flow.
For example, a broker may delay an advance to a contractor for a few days, choosing to lower their fees by strategically managing their cash flow. In addition, they might have shippers who pay earlier than expected, further reducing costs. Flexible Factoring provides unmatched flexibility, helping businesses optimize their capital use while reducing fees.
Sometimes, waiting for payments isn’t an option. Freight brokers and fleet owners often face immediate expenses, such as fuel costs, payroll, and maintenance, that need to be covered quickly.
Denim’s Express Factoring addresses this by providing access to funds within minutes of submitting a job. Unlike other freight broker factoring services that may have cut-off times or delays due to bank processing, Express Factoring provides near immediate funding.
Maybe a broker needs to cover urgent operational expenses but is waiting for payment. With Express Factoring, they can submit their job and receive an advance almost instantly, without worrying about ACH windows or other delays.
This immediate access to capital can be a game-changer for brokerages facing tight deadlines or unexpected costs, ensuring that cash flow is never an obstacle when keeping their business running.
Denim’s QuickPay service offers freight brokers a unique opportunity not only to expedite payments to carriers, but also generate additional income. QuickPay allows brokers to charge a fee for speeding up payments to carriers, and best of all, they can keep 100% of the fee.
Implementing QuickPay creates a new revenue stream for brokers while providing carriers with the benefit of faster payments. A broker can charge a QuickPay fee to expedite a carrier’s payment, and the fee collected becomes an additional source of income for the broker. In a competitive market, QuickPay can help position brokers as a reliable partner who can provide timely payments when needed. This also helps strengthen carrier relationships.
By offering faster payment options to carriers, brokers can increase their earnings while providing a valuable service to their partners, strengthening relationships and driving long-term business success.
Denim’s flexible freight factoring solutions for trucking companies are designed with one goal in mind: to help freight brokers and fleet owners thrive in a constantly changing market. Each solution—Selective Factoring, Flex Factoring, Express Factoring, and QuickPay—offers factoring benefits that can be tailored to fit the unique needs of your business. Whether you need immediate capital, want to reduce costs, or are looking to create new revenue streams, Denim provides the tools to make it happen.
In today’s unpredictable market, financial flexibility is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Discover how Denim’s flexible factoring solutions can support your business by scheduling a demo today. We’ll help you build a financial strategy that keeps you competitive, agile, and thriving, no matter the market conditions.
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Most freight brokers don’t realize how much of an impact their back-office can have on their growth. Brokers frequently associate growth with front-end activities like sales, finding new customers and carriers, and other business development tasks. But as your brokerage grows, your business is more likely to run into back-office bottlenecks from delays in invoicing, payments, processing paperwork, and more.
These bottlenecks can lead to stagnating growth, even when sales are better than ever. If your back office can’t process the volume your team is selling, it’s almost impossible to grow.
As your business grows, you’re left with two options to solve this problem: invest in hiring the staff required to cover your new volume, or leverage tools and vendors to support your existing team.
Hiring new team members can be costly, risky, and time-consuming - which is why we recommend exploring back-office automation tools before committing to expanding your staff.
Some services provide complete back-office solutions for brokers — including everything from submitting jobs, providing comprehensive dashboards, TMS integrations, carrier portals, automated invoicing and collections, payment processing, and more. Other solutions in the industry might only offer one or two of these features, and are far from comprehensive.
Below we’ll compare how Denim’s flexible factoring and back-office automation tools can offer a complete system for most brokers, and why we think Denim is the best solution for brokers who want to grow without adding more back-office staff.
Submitting jobs is the first step in getting a load factored. Most factoring companies require a BoL (bill of lading), PoD (proof of delivery), and rate confirmations to purchase (factor) your invoices. How this works varies from company to company, here’s how Denim’s solutions stack up:
Denim’s solution:
Submitting a job with Denim is simple and fast - so fast you can do it in under 30 seconds. Jobs can be uploaded through Denim’s online or portal or directly through a TMS integration at your earliest convenience.
When uploaded through Denim’s portal, the intuitive interface makes it easy to find exactly what you need when you need it. Information icons are there to walk you and your team through the process. Presets and commonly used companies remove any redundant data entry, so you can focus on booking more loads.
Key benefits:
Traditional factoring companies:
Submitting jobs to traditional factoring companies can be a time-consuming and error prone process. There are two main routes taken: CSV upload or email.
The average factoring company has a dashboard to upload CSV files with load details and separate PDF documentation with BoLs, PoDs, and rate confirmations. Batching loads like these can take dozens of hours and lead to errors when a load data is different in the csv than the pdf document.
Alternatively, some factoring companies require you to email this information. This often results in several back-and-forth emails to correct mistakes and verify information.
Some factoring companies have TMS integrations, but they are often delayed updates, meaning updates are only displayed 1-2 times per day.
One important feature that isn’t always available for factoring clients is a comprehensive client dashboard that gives real-time metrics and data so brokers can make informed decisions on the fly. Here’s how Denim’s client dashboard stacks up against more traditional solutions:
Denim’s Dashboard:
With the Denim dashboard, brokers get a bird's eye view of the most important financial metrics. They can instantly gain insights into stats like jobs over time (with predictive month-over-month analytics), Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), total amount factored, fastest and slowest paying customers, and most profitable customers - all at a glance.
Custom roles and permissions with Denim for Teams lets brokers set custom roles and permissions for the whole team, giving the exact data points every team member needs. This protects sensitive business information and gives more control to owners.
Custom reports can also be requested on demand by team members so they can find important information fast.
Key benefits:
Traditional factoring companies:
Traditional factoring companies have limited or non-existent dashboards. Many require brokers to request specific data or metrics through email, leading to slow response times and confusing email chains with potentially unreliable customer support teams.
When traditional factoring companies do provide dashboards, they often do so through “view-only” portals which only offer basic transaction reporting and payment statuses. These dashboards often require employees to share passwords, and offer limited if any control over which team members can view sensitive information.
Brokers need more than just working capital to run their business - they need modern tools that improve efficiency and their bottom line. Here’s what Denim and other factoring companies offer:
Denim’s Document Management:
Denim's Audit, Document Collection and Inbox features give brokers an easy way to collect and audit documents automatically, saving countless hours for back-office staff. Both tools are included for all factoring clients, and provide automatic document auditing that helps identify errors before you hit submit. This alone vastly improves the time it takes to submit new jobs.
The Denim Document Collection & Inbox organizes all PoDs, BOLs, and Rate Confirmations in a simple easy-to-use inbox, and automatically attaches the correct documents to every job - finally ending the constant searching through your inbox and PDF merges for document submissions.
Key benefits:
Traditional factoring companies:
Traditional factoring companies provide little in the way of client tools, and are primarily focused on providing working capital to brokers. Factors that do provide these tools often do so at an additional cost for brokers.
Effective carrier communication is critical for brokers, both to keep customers informed and to reduce unnecessary back and forth between your team and carriers. Here’s how Denim helps brokers keep carriers informed while saving staff time:
Denim’s carrier portal:
Denim’s Carrier Portal gives carriers an easy way to stay informed at every step of the process, and is available for all factoring customers. This helps cut down on calls from carriers asking about payments, giving them real-time updates on payment status. Automated emails are sent to carriers when payments are complete, saving your staff time.
Key benefits:
Traditional factoring companies:
Traditional factoring companies provide little or no outbound communication to carriers on behalf of brokers. The broker is responsible for all communication with carriers about payment, leading to excess calls and frustrated staff and carriers.
Some factors will send out update emails when payments are completed, but it’s up to the broker to send any other communication.
Efficient invoicing and collections are vital for maintaining healthy cash flow. Denim’s back-office automation tools give brokers new advantages in these areas too:
Denim’s process:
Denim’s automation tools make it easy for brokers to create and distribute invoices for shippers in minutes, instead of hours. As soon as rate confirmations and PODs are received, your client can be invoiced. No more waiting for carriers to send invoices, letting the aging clock start sooner.
Denim also automatically alerts brokers of aging invoices, and follows up with shippers and brokers to prevent slow payments. Brokers can work directly with Denim to collect on invoices before using more drastic measures like chargebacks.
Key benefits:
Traditional industry processes:
Most traditional factoring companies don’t generate invoices for brokers automatically, and opt to send generic emails instead. These emails are often impossible to customize and confuse shippers without specific company logos or identification.
Many traditional factoring companies also have very limited communication and lack comprehensive escalation processes. They frequently send one or two email reminders, and then charge a chargeback, causing issues with customers.
This lack of a collection process hurts customer relationships and costs brokers business.
Managing payments is an essential part of every brokerage, and doing it well is critical to the broker-carrier relationship. Denim provides improved processes over other providers in the space:
Denim’s payments:
Denim makes payments to carriers for you automatically, and gives brokers control over every aspect. Brokers choose how carriers are paid (e.g. ACH, check, QuickPay, and more) with no additional fees.
Denim also takes care of all the collection and storage of payment information on your behalf, so you never have to worry about storing sensitive personal carrier data on your system.
Key benefits:
Traditional factoring companies:
Most traditional factoring companies don’t automate payments to carriers. Brokers are responsible for paying out carriers, requiring them to use additional back-office resources.
This can frequently lead to delayed or late payments, and unhappy carriers as a result.
Many traditional factoring companies also charge excess fees for common services like QuickPay or ACH transfers. The fees vary from factoring company to factoring company, but often must either be absorbed by the broker or passed along to carriers who desire QuickPay. These fees can range from 1-3% of the load, which can quickly eat into the profitability of your brokerage.
Brokers depend on cash flow and efficiency to grow their business. Without a suite of back-office tools to support your operation, you may find yourself paying excess fees, stuck manually invoicing shippers and paying carriers, processing paperwork, chasing down important metrics, manually compiling PDFs for job submissions, and more.
With Denim’s suite of back-office tools, your brokerage will be ahead of the curve with more efficient processes, streamlined communications, and fewer fees. Denim’s all-in-one platform is designed to meet the needs of brokers of any size, and sets a new standard for the factoring industry.
If you’re ready to find out how Denim can streamline your business, cut down on fees, improve your cash flow, and help your brokerage grow - get in touch with our team today. We’ll walk you through every step of the process and give you the tools you need to maximize your cash flow and streamline operations almost overnight.
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