Simply defined, haulage means the transportation of goods and services, commonly called loads, over land.
This often conjures up images of America's truckers and road systems - grizzled veterans driving 18-wheelers.
In the United Kingdom, transportation and haulage is still a major industry.
In a country where the economy was once primarily driven by the manufacturing industry, haulage remains a vital and viable business.
Haulage, shipping and freight are multi-billion pound industries, a delicate network composed of vehicles, manpower and connections to satisfy a consumer's desire for goods and services.
Many people do not know how that Japanese flat screen TV made it into Harrods, but it invariably involved some sort of haulage! The need for basic goods and services has not diminished even with the gradual loss of the UK's manufacturing industry.
Despite the fact that factories have closed and more and more imported goods are flooding the industry, consumer needs are rising.
A strong export and import industry continues to grow the need for haulage.
Imported goods from Asia, America and other countries need to make their way to cities and towns.
Loads transported consist of everything from cheap clothes to high-end designer goods made overseas.
Haulage also consists of goods going out - products like machinery, reactor parts, mineral fuel and oil [as well as vehicles] remain the UK's top exports.
In most cases these are exported via truck overland to neighbouring countries like Germany and France.
Otherwise, trucks bring loads to ports for shipping to the United States and China.
The haulage industry is highly competitive.
In some cases, there are two types of haulage companies: in-house, or own-account haulage, where a company uses its own network of trucks, systems and drivers to move goods.
But in most cases, firms hire haulage firms to distribute their goods.
Haulage firms are often willing to take full or back loads, as well as return loads for a fee and often with guarantees - transportation often means protecting the goods as they travel.
In some cases these are known as hire and reward operators.
These operators, regardless of whether they are owner or hire and reward, hire highly-skilled drivers who are able to drive and manoeuvre heavy trucks in all weather and road conditions.
The haulage industry does not just consist of trucks travelling over land, however.
Freight comes into the UK through many means, such as sea freight, air freight and rail freight.
Rail freights and haulage trucks often interact on a regular basis because rails have a set path and often need trucks to come in and finish the job.
Despite the numerous challenges, haulage firms are still a profitable enough to encourage healthy competition.
Many firms face the issues of extreme traffic congestion along UK roads which can eat up costs when deliveries are delayed.
Fuel prices and taxes also play a huge role in haulage pricing and profit - like any industry reliant on fuel.
Despite this, small and large firms continue to apply for operating licenses and independent contractors spring up year after year.
This is because the flow of goods and services is unaffected - it is simply a matter of finding a reliably priced service.
As long as loads need to be transported, then the haulage industry will continue to exist.