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.

LTL shipping is a great solution for any business trying to transport only a small amount of freight. But make sure you know how to prepare for anything that might go wrong.
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Potential Drawbacks

On the whole, LTL shipping is a dependable, cost-effective way to transport a small amount of cargo, most carriers maintain 97% or better on-time delivery rate. But business owners should be aware of both good and bad potential outcomes. Be prepared to deal with one of these issues when using LTL:

1. Losing the whole shipment
2. Higher risk of damage
3. Monetary drawbacks

1) Losing the Whole Shipment

One of the downfalls of shipping via an LTL carrier is that there is a possibility of the whole shipment not arriving at its destination on time or being lost in transit. As where, if shipped via a parcel CWT program you have a higher probability that most of your order will arrive in the published transit time.

However, an entire LTL shipment is contained in a single truck and rarely is a shipment broken down into a smaller quantity when capacity runs out for the entire order. Anything that delays or damages that single truck will also delay or damage your entire pallet of merchandise.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use a shipment manager or tracker to keep an eye on your LTL freight. This can reduce the risk of your goods being delayed in transit.

2) Higher Risk of Damage

In spite of the fact that there is less handling of the shipment, the risk of damage is actually higher with LTL providers. LTL carriers use forklifts to handle and load the freight, often double-stacking pallets in a trailer as well, making your shipment more susceptible to damage. Proper packaging and the appropriate use of dunnage, as well as blocking and bracing practices, are essential to guarantee a damage-free delivery.

3) Monetary Drawbacks

Lastly, LTL quantities don’t automatically contribute to parcel revenue-based incentives, only if you have negotiated this language into your parcel agreement. Unless your FedEx Freight or UPS Freight contract specifically states so, the revenue tendered to the LTL carrier will not contribute to the incentive received from the parcel carriers.

As well, there are so many more competitors in the industry that you may not even be transporting your LTL freight through the parcel carriers LTL business units. Though LTL shipping will generally save you money, don’t take it as a guarantee in every case. Use a rateshopper to double-check the price.

A Mostly Advantageous Strategy

Depending on your circumstances, the positives of LTL shipping may outweigh the negatives. But don’t make a decision either way without considering the advantages as well as the potential disadvantages. Make the best choice for your shipment and your needs.

Not sure if LTL is right for you? Connect with us for helpful ideas on when to use or pass on LTL shipping plans.

The post The Cons of LTL Shipping appeared first on Freight Cowboy - Shipment Management.