Food display cases are critical components in the food retail industry, serving to display foods while keeping them fresh. Due to their size and the materials used to construct them, transporting and delivering food display cases requires expert partners who understand the many moving parts involved. These partners must be skilled in transporting large, fragile freight while also understanding the importance of timely delivery.
With so many things to consider, working with a partner skilled in transporting food display cases and following key best practices to ensure optimal and timely delivery is imperative.
For Major Retailers, Transporting Food Display Cases Provides Significant Challenges
Major retailers and food display case manufacturers face a number of challenges in effectively transporting food display cases, primarily related to the logistical process and the importance of proper timing for installation. Communication throughout the process is key and requires continuous collaboration with logistics teams and store operators to ensure thorough visibility.
Timing is a key factor when it comes to visibility because any delays in delivery will also impact the installation process. This can cause departments to be closed for extended periods of time and result in a loss of sales. Unexpected damage to the units caused by unskilled or inexperienced teams can further complicate the process and result in delayed installation as well.
3 Best Practices for the Safe and Efficient Transportation of Food Retail Display Cases
Transporting food display cases presents several challenges and complexities. Retailers and food display case manufacturers can follow three best practices to help prevent issues and ensure seamless delivery and installation.
Effective Planning for Effective Transportation
Planning ahead is the first step, and creating a detailed checklist upfront can help to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. A proper plan should include:
Pre-transport assessment: Determine each unit's dimensions, weight, and any specific requirements or special considerations. If any units require oversized transport, map the transportation routes accordingly.
Specialized packaging and crating: Food display cases are often fragile and require special packaging and handling to prevent potential damage. Use shock-absorbent materials to protect against nearby items and any bumps in the road, and consider using custom crates or packaging to keep fragile components safe.
Scheduling and coordination: Timing is a key factor when planning the installation of food display cases to minimize any downtime. When scheduling delivery, plan around the store’s schedule to ensure units won’t have to wait longer than necessary to be installed and that the store doesn’t have to shut down a department and miss out on potential sales from customers.
Working with an experienced logistics provider can make avoiding these challenges much easier. The right partner will understand the nuances involved and can simplify the process to remove any guesswork and ensure that food display cases arrive safely and on time.
Leverage Technology for Efficiency
Technology plays a critical role in any logistics process, but it becomes even more important for companies that need to manage the transport of specialized products like food display cases.
Using a transportation management system (TMS) can help when selecting the best carrier based on the shipment's needs, planning the most efficient route, and automating routine tasks — saving companies time and money in the process. TMSs can also help with data analysis and reporting for companies working toward continuous measurement and process improvement.
Technology also helps companies achieve greater shipment visibility. For time-sensitive shipments like food display cases, real-time tracking and predictive analytics are critical to ensuring on-time delivery. They can also help identify potential delays and navigate market fluctuations in real time.
Prioritize Collaboration
Collaboration is key to any successful logistics partnership. It ensures that the goals of shippers, carriers, and logistics providers are met. By communicating upfront about each partner's needs, goals, and expectations, companies can work together to minimize costs and enhance service levels.
In a previous article, we discussed how fostering collaboration starts at the beginning of the partnership. Working together and communicating openly about needs, goals, and KPIs helps to position all partners for success and enables them to work together to overcome any challenges, from route optimization to delivery timing. It also opens the door to creating long-term partnerships in which each party is invested in each other’s success instead of a transactional relationship. All partners can work together toward optimal outcomes by aligning goals, defining success, having regular business reviews, and using shared tools for real-time collaboration.
Promises Made. Promises Delivered.
Transporting food display cases can present many challenges for food retailers and food display case manufacturers, but taking the steps outlined above and working with a qualified logistics partner like TEN Logistics can help to make the process as seamless as possible.
From managed logistics services to their extensive network of vetted carriers and around-the-clock support, TEN Logistics is dedicated to creating long-term partnerships with its customers and working with them to ensure their needs and goals are met. If you’ve been working with subpar partners who aren’t helping you move the needle, reach out to TEN Logistics to experience the difference for yourself.
Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of real collaboration in your logistics operations.
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