FreightMarks: A New Benchmarking Standard for the Trucking Industry

KSM Transport Advisors (KSMTA) is proud to introduce FreightMarks^™, a revolutionary benchmarking service designed to empower trucking companies of all sizes with unparalleled insights into their financial and operational performance. This new service is available to all FreightMath^™ clients at no additional charge.

With more than 100 trucking-specific metrics derived from standardized general ledger (GL) data and extensive load and dispatch operational data, FreightMarks provides an objective and data-driven approach to help carriers optimize profitability, manage costs, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Why FreightMarks?

Trucking companies operate in an environment where cost control and operational efficiency directly impact profitability. Yet, many carriers struggle with fragmented or inconsistent financial data that makes meaningful performance comparisons difficult. This issue is amplified by the lack of resources to provide proven activity-based costing models without significant expense. FreightMarks addresses this challenge by:

• Standardizing General Ledger Data: Using a structured FreightMarks Chart of Accounts (COA), FreightMarks ensures uniform reporting across all participating carriers and modes.
• Applying Advanced Cost Allocation Methods: FreightMarks leverages direct, ratio, and percentage-based allocation methods to ensure that revenue and expenses are distributed accurately across fleet types and operating categories. These automated and AI-enhanced allocation methods ensure that each fleet type and labor group is assigned their fair portion of costs, even when allocation guidance is lacking from the carrier.
• Peer Benchmarking: Carriers can compare their financial performance against peer companies, gaining insights into critical cost drivers such as driver wages, fuel expenses, maintenance, and insurance. Additionally, utilizing the existing FreightMath specific metrics, carriers can compare operating ratios, margin, and other operational metrics against the transportation industry’s proven performers.

How FreightMarks Works

FreightMarks, available to all FreightMath clients, is powered by monthly GL data submitted by participating carriers. This data is processed through KSMTA’s dynamic data mapping and reporting tool, which aligns individual GL accounts to the standardized COA. Carriers receive detailed reports showing how their financial performance compares to industry benchmarks, including the following:

• Revenue Performance: Linehaul revenue, accessorial charges, and fuel surcharge revenue segmentation
• Cost Drivers: Fuel expenses, driver wages and benefits, maintenance costs, and equipment financing
• Fixed and Variable Expenses: Non-Driver (support staff) wages and benefits, fixed overhead categories

FreightMarks GL Tips: A 2025 Initiative To Optimize Financial Reporting

To further support carriers in maximizing the value of their financial data, KSMTA is launching a new article series for the remainder of 2025: FreightMarks Financial Mastery. This initiative will guide trucking companies in restructuring their GL to capture deeper insights into profitability, cost control, and operational efficiency. Topics will include:

• Best Practices for Structuring GL Accounts: How to segment revenue and expense categories for clearer financial reporting.
• Optimizing Cost Allocation: Identifying the activities that generate revenue and underlying expenses. Understanding and utilizing ratio-based and percentage-based allocations for improved accuracy.
• Identifying Profitability Drivers: How to leverage detailed GL data to pinpoint areas of improvement.

Get Started With FreightMarks

FreightMarks is now available for FreightMath clients looking to gain a competitive edge through data-driven decision-making. By participating, carriers will not only benchmark their performance but also receive actionable insights to improve profitability and efficiency.

Stay tuned for the first edition of FreightMarks Financial Mastery – a step-by-step guide to aligning your general ledger with industry-leading best practices.

To learn more about FreightMarks or to start your FreightMath journey, please contact a KSMTA advisor via the form below.