Accelerating the food-grade delivery process in just four easy steps
The key to safer, more efficient deliveries is partnering with an experienced wholesale food distribution company. But how will you know when you’re working with the right one? The best food distributors know exactly what needs to be done to make the supply chain process run smoothly. Fortunately, we’ve discovered how you can find that perfect foodservice distributor.
Here are the secrets:
Choose a Centrally Located 3PL
When it comes to distribution, location matters, especially when food is being transported. All food products are perishable to some degree, so it’s important to contract a logistics provider that can reach target markets quickly. If you are hauling goods across multiple regions, it’s best to work with third-party logistics (3PL) that’s in a centralized location.
So if you have to distribute items nationwide, it would be in your best interest to find a partner that runs its distribution efforts out of the Midwest. This cuts down on travel time, minimizes the risk of inventory spoiling, and fulfills demands more efficiently.
Store Goods in a Temperature-Controlled Setting
A majority of food products must be refrigerated or frozen during their lifecycle. Even shelf-ready items such as canned goods, potato chips, and bottled drinks will spoil quickly if stored at an improper temperature. Your logistics provider must have the capability to handle raw materials through every stage of the supply chain.
Work with a 3PL that uses multi-zone temperature control in their warehouses and cargo areas. This ensures that your products are handled with care during each step of the journey.
Secure the Necessary Certifications
Most food-related business activities have to comply with a variety of regulations. Any time you are working with food products in a warehouse, you need to be sure they meet the standards issued by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
It’s vital for your logistics partner to prioritize these legal requirements. Any violation could cause a product recall, which could even force the facility to shut down. Don’t let a 3PL put you at risk. Partner with a company that is known for its commitment to quality and safety.
Before reaching a service agreement, ask providers how they handle all of the following issues:
- Pest control
- Expiration date monitoring
- Lot and batch control
- Quality control
- Product segregation
- Anti-contamination
- Employee background checks
Take Advantage of the Right Technology
The material handling process can be long and tedious, and standards must be rigorous. Fortunately, there are a number of different resources that can make this process seem like a breeze. Today’s best 3PL companies streamline efficiency with a sophisticated palletizing solution.
A compact palletizer can reduce a lot of headaches in your plant. This technology helps transport heavy items from one area of the warehouse to the other. These fully automated machines are not only simple to operate, but they also free up labor for other tasks that require attention.
Robotic palletizing technology is programmed to move inventory through different stages of the supply chain. And this machinery is adjustable so it can carefully manage several types of products. This is a cost-effective way to boost productivity in your warehouse. From packaging to storage to transport, this powerful and intelligent system is responsible for moving goods through the distribution channel, which gives you more opportunities to increase productivity in other important matters of the business.
Increase Efficiency With PalletPOD by ROI
At ROI, we make it easy for you to say goodbye to production difficulties for good. Our experts support operations with the most efficient material-handling equipment on the market. Our PalletPOD technology is the perfect alternative to grueling manual labor.
When you want your operations to run more smoothly, we’ll have today’s best palletizing products ready for you at a flexible price. Our mobile compact palletizers are more than just a conventional pallet jack. All our solutions are geared toward improving the functions of your facility. With our team by your side, you can expect a pallet solution that automates your warehouse and keeps your foodservice distributors happy.
Call us today to learn more about our capabilities and how they complement our turnkey solutions!