Food products
that need storage in temperature-controlled food warehouses call for
specialized 3PLs who understand the physical and regulatory requirements for
these products. When searching for a 3PL
for food products, here are 6 things you should look for to ensure you have the
right partner.
1. Maintaining
cold chain integrity
This is one of
the biggest issues for a food warehouse. The quality of your product depends on
maintaining a consistent temperature, sometimes within very tight
tolerances. Look for:
sophisticated
temperature monitoring devices -- in the warehouse, on docks, on the road
temperature logs,
which you can check remotely auto alerts when temperatures go out of spec back
up generators if the cooling or heaating systems go down
2. Management of
stock rotation protocols
Every food
shipper has its own requirements for stock rotation and maximizing shelf
life. Some are simple, some can be
complicated and the requirements could be different for different SKUs and
customers. Your 3PL's system must be
able to handle any eventuality. The
system should tell you the remaining shelf life of every product in the warehouse,
and automatically flag those approaching their expiration date. Ask to actually
see the capabilities you require.
3. Real-time
traceability
In the event of a
recall or other product problem, you must be able to act quickly and decisively
to trace identified lots. Don't just
take a provider's word that they can do it.
Put their systems to the test.
Have them show you the results of mock recalls and walk you through
hypothetical examples of a recall event.
4. Superior
cleanliness
Evidence of pest
infestations can cost you big money if product must be discarded. Choose a food
warehouse 3PL that can provide clear evidence of consistent superior ratings
for cleanliness. AIB International is
one agency that does a thorough inspection job during its surprise audits, and
has a rating system. Are those rating results prominently displayed at your
3PL's facility?
5. Active quality
program
Most 3PLs will
say they have an active logistics quality program. Here it's important to peak
under the covers. Ask enough questions and you'll discover if the program is
real or just window dressing. What
examples can they share about KPI improvements over time? Is it clear that "in-the-trenches"
operations staff have a knowledge of root cause analysis and lean problem
solving methodologies?
6. Ability to
consolidate shipments
Food manufacturing
is a relatively low-margin business where every penny of operationg cost
reduction is meaningful. Choose a 3PL
that does business with other food companies shipping to the same retail
customers as you. For SMBs, in particular, these outbound freight consolidation
opportunities can make a huge dent in your LTL costs.
Choose your food
warehouse 3PL wisely
Invest the time
up-front to choose a food warehouse provider that can deliver the specialized
capabilities your products require. The cost of switching providers can be
significant, not to mention the costs related to regulatory fines, spoiled
products and lost customer confidence that can come with making the wrong
choice.
http://www.kaneisable.com/blog/6-must-haves-for-a-food-warehouse-3pl