Refrigerated transportation is an important element of the food or pharma industry supply chain. This type of logistics service is used to move perishable goods in a cool and controlled environment to reduce their risk of spoiling during transport. The benefits of refrigerated transport are numerous: it allows retail food industries to operate all year round, and it increases the velocity and efficiency of shipments so that they reach their final destination faster. Without refrigerated trucks, the logistics of perishable goods become a lot more complicated and inefficient. For this reason, so many businesses dealing with perishable goods choose to contract with transportation companies that have made it known that they offer refrigerated transportation services rather than try to manage them in-house.
However, there is always room for improvement when it comes to services in any industry. If you’re currently providing these refrigerated transport services, there are several things you can do to increase efficiency and provide better services overall. In this article, we will explore some ways you can improve your refrigerated transportation services.
Tips for Improving Refrigerated Transport Services
Plan Your Routes Carefully
One of the first things you can do to improve your refrigerated transport services is to plan your routes carefully. This can take some forethought and knowledge of the best way to route your trucks. There are a few factors to keep in mind when planning your routes. First, you will want to avoid areas with bad roads that can cause damage to your trucks. Using bad roads can lead to costly repairs and potentially put your drivers at risk.
Another thing to keep in mind is the driving hours. If your route takes you through a major metropolitan area, you will want to avoid driving at rush hour whenever possible. You also want to avoid being stuck in traffic; the goal of planning your route is to reduce the travel duration.
Utilize Temperature Tracking Software
Another important step in improving your refrigerated transport services is to utilize temperature tracking software. This will allow you to track the temperatures inside the refrigerated trailers and ensure that all goods are being held at the correct temperatures. The software can also be a great way for you to prove to customers that their products are being properly stored during transport. This way, you can keep tabs on the temperatures and give your clients some peace of mind. In a case where you have so many orders and you decide to outsource to another refrigerated transport company, the software can be especially helpful. If you are worried about their temperature tracking, this software can be a great way to keep tabs on the temperatures inside their trailers.
Hire And Train Only The Best Drivers
Your drivers significantly contribute to the success of your refrigerated transport services. Hence, it’s important to hire good drivers and also train them on the best strategy for operating the refrigerated transport business. When you’re hiring drivers, be sure to conduct background checks on your potential drivers. It is important to do your research and make sure that the people you hire are qualified for the job. Endeavor to hire drivers who are properly trained in driving refrigerated trucks and know how to keep the temperatures at the correct levels.
This can help you avoid any mishaps and keep your client’s products safe. It can also help you improve your reputation within the industry. Hiring qualified drivers can also help you improve overall efficiency, making it easier for your drivers to get their jobs done in the same amount of time.
Utilize The Refrigerated Transport Technology
You can also improve your refrigerated transport services by utilizing the latest in refrigerated transport technology like insulated packaging. These kinds of packaging will maintain goods at a constant temperature and guard against damage while in transit. Overall, the more technology you have in your operation, the easier it will be to manage things and make sure that everything is happening exactly as it should be.
Proper Maintenance
Finally, don’t forget to check the belts, filters, fuel oil, and other necessary parts in the refrigerated truck. Make a conscious effort to check the defrost drain hoses, refrigerator batteries, truck engine batteries, wiring, and others. You can hire an experienced refrigerated truck expert to conduct routine checks on your truck; this will help maintain your truck’s functionality.
The bottom line is that several variables work together to enhance refrigerated transport services. As a result, be sure to take into account all of the above advice to improve your refrigerated transport services.
