Improve your company’s supply chain with these easily implemented tricks!
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Effective Management Procedures

For your supply chain to function properly, everything has to be integrated correctly to create a perfectly synchronized work environment. In order to keep operations streamlined, make sure you follow these essential shipping management procedures. 

1. Order fulfillment and processing management
2. Warehouse safety inspection
3. Vehicle inspection
4. ISO container inspection

1) Order Fulfillment and Processing Management Technology

A crucial component of customer service is that customers receive their packages on time and undamaged. A small company can handle this challenge much easier than a larger group. As your business grows, consider delegating some of the tasks to others and setting up checklists to ensure the proper standards are met. Provide a positive experience to exceed your customers’ expectations. Additionally, don’t forget about inventory management for your shipping center. A well-managed inventory system will prevent you from buying too much or not enough of supplies you need, ensuring you can always perfectly meet demand.

Pro Tip: Before you send out an LTL shipment, use our rateshopper to ensure you get the best deal possible. Saving money on shipments frees your budget to focus on other crucial expenses.

2) Warehouse Safety Inspection

Of course, this step is crucial for legal compliance and the safety of everyone at your facility. Periodically inspect your shipping warehouse for any potential hazards and take notes & corrective action if needed. Make sure your facility provides a safe and comfortable work environment. Hang safety signs in common areas to prevent incidents.

3) Vehicle Inspection

This is particularly important for your warehouse forklifts. Make sure the vehicles run properly, with no warning lights from the engine or tire damage that could make driving unsafe. Additionally, make sure your vehicles meet all required safety standards. Even if safety inspections aren’t required by law, it’s a good idea to perform checks anyway to prevent a deadly accident later.

4) ISO Container Inspection

Considering the sheer volume of purchased goods shipped in ISO containers, you’ll likely be handling shipping containers frequently. They require periodic inspection to make sure your customers’ items will arrive safely. Look for damage, potential defects, weak spots, and other concerns that could make the container unfit for use.

Improving Your Supply Chain

Improving your shipping service’s supply chain will help you satisfy customers and keep a leading role in the industry. Too many unorganized tasks can be overwhelming, but with specific plans, integrated technology, and work delegation, you can ensure that all standards are met and your customers enjoy a satisfactory experience with your services.

Connect with us for more information on planning your supply chain.

The post 4 Shipping Management Processes to Improve Your Supply Chain appeared first on Freight Cowboy - Shipment Management.

Learning LTL Basics

Freight is collected in one central area from various shippers, sorted at a shipping facility, and then consolidated onto trailers with other shipments headed to the same general geographical area.  When the freight arrives at the final terminal, your items will then be unloaded and transported individually for delivery. Because LTL shipments are smaller they can be easily separated and delivered to a larger number of destinations, whereas a semi is limited.

With competent truckload management, you should receive your shipment in perfect condition, on time and without any problems.
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Reduced Costs

The main advantage to using an LTL carrier is that a shipment can be transported for a fraction of the cost of hiring an entire truck and trailer for a partial shipment.  Think of it this way: If you need a plane ticket to New York, would you rather buy 1 ticket, or book the whole plane? LTL freight rates vary based on a number of factors including the type of freight being shipped, the shipment’s dimensions and the distance it will travel. LTL shipping allows multiple shippers to share space on the same truck. While it’s generally the most cost-efficient option, an experienced broker can use rate comparisons to get you the best freight quote.

Proper Packaging

When moving freight sent via LTL carriers, remember that it will likely be handled several times during transit, often by different carriers. It must be packaged properly in order to protect it from scuffing, crushing, shattering, humidity, and condensation. It’s good practice to load freight onto pallets or package items into crates. Since LTL is less than a full truckload, items must be packaged very well to avoid them bumping around.  Proper packaging helps in the following ways:

• Protects freight from shipping and handling damage.
  
• Protects other freight from being damaged by your shipment.
  
• Reduces package theft or pilferage.
  
• Prevent lost items, wherein some of your freight is separated from the rest and lost.

Reduce Emissions

Combining shipments together via LTL shipping is a cost-effective option for the shipper. In addition, it’s also a more environmentally conscious way to ship. Since LTL shipments allow one truck to carry a full load, rather than multiple trucks carrying loads below their full capacity, there are fewer emissions.

Easy to Track

Supply chain visibility benefits both the customer and the carrier by fostering efficiency.  With tools like GPS tracking and email tracking, the customer can easily track the progress of their shipment. Your freight brokerage works hard to ensure that you are satisfied with the process and informed along the way.

An Efficient Shipping Process

LTL is the ideal shipping method for small businesses and residential customers. Even with all its advantages, LTL comes with its own set of limitations, including longer timelines, delivery issues, and over-handling. An experienced freight broker knows the best practices of LTL and can help you navigate the process and find a solution that will work for your needs.

Contact Us to find a shipping rate that you can live with, and a freight broker you can’t live without!

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Smart Changes to Improve Warehouse Efficiency

Making too many changes to warehouse processes and procedures can lead to confusion and, instead of increasing productivity, can have the opposite effect. While the best strategies for improving warehouse efficiency may vary from company to company, these are 5 smart changes all warehouses should make.

1) Smart Automation

Automated warehouse systems make processes more efficient, accurate and reliable. And as demand for better production continues, it’s an important advantage for manufacturers. Automation can include integrated warehouse robotics, guided vehicles, and picking, as well as automated tracking allowing customers to track purchases. Implement technology that works for your warehouse in practice, not just in theory.

2) Maximized Space

Inefficient use of available space can translate into increased costs for additional warehouse space that you don’t really need. Typically, receiving, picking, packing and shipping generally takes up around 50% of warehouse space; product storage the remainder. Use vertical space to your advantage, with mezzanines and double deep racks with reach lift trucks. Managing warehouse space wisely can improve the picking process and enable better shipment management.

3) Organized Workstations

A messy or cluttered workstation indicates to visitors and staff that efficiency is lacking. It might even suggest that warehouse employees are overwhelmed, or that company morale is suffering. Organize and design workstations according to the specific tasks of the staff members using them.

4) Employee Training

Even the most effective technologies and processes lack value if your employees don’t understand them. Implement thorough training programs that focus on technology and how you want employees to utilize the tools you’ve provided. Education and training should prioritize safety, and encourage innovation.

5) Prioritize Safety

Safety should be a priority in your warehouse since without smart safety practices you face dangers and accidents that lead to inefficiency and profit loss. Skimping on safety might save you money in the beginning, but accidents are incredibly costly.

Running Smoothly

A productive warehouse is a vital component of a successful supply chain. Streamlining the operations of your warehouse will maximize efficiency and decrease costs and impacts associated with a poorly managed warehouse.
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To learn more about increasing warehouse efficiency with shipping in mind, Contact Us.

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A New Era of Accountability

A cornerstone of supply chain visibility is accountability. When the process is monitored, reported and regularly updated, there is little room for errors. This protects both the customer and the shipping management company. If mistakes are made, they are quickly identified and can be better avoided in the future.    

Not only does increased transparency provide customers with peace of mind, but it gives shipping managers valuable insight and analytics.

Customer Confidence

The shipment management service strives to ensure that the customer is satisfied with the process. Part of that is keeping them informed as to the status of their shipment. Where there is transparency in transportation operations, there is an assurance that things are going as they should be.

Increased Efficiency

Supply chain visibility benefits the customer, shipping agents and shipping management be fostering efficiency.  When customers have the tools they need to get clarification or reassurance (GPS tracking, email reports, etc.) they will not have a reason to call their shipment manager. This allows employees to focus on their work while the customer gets the updates they need online.

Better Communication

Communication between shipping managers, carriers and customers can only help maximize the process. While person-to-person interactions can lead to unfortunate misunderstandings, increased visibility results in clear, meaningful communication.

Streamlining the Shipping Process

Using tracking information and customer feedback, shipment management companies can continuously assess how to improve their process.  There is clarity and mutual understanding of the timeline, which eliminates confusion. Utilizing the insights gained through this process will only improve it.  

For more information about the many advantages of supply chain visibility in shipping, Contact Us.

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