6 Must-Haves for a Food Warehouse 3PL

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