How to Avoid Supply Chain Damage?

Making a fantastic and desirable product is only part of the battle to generate a profit. To really make a name for your company and your product, you need to ensure the goods can get to your customer in good condition and on time.

In fact, goods damaged in transit costs the industry billions of dollars every year, as well as damaging reputations and frustrating customers.

That’s why it’s essential that you take steps to avoid supply chain damage.

Pack It Right

This is potentially the most important element. The box you pack each item in should be made with thick cardboard and be as close to the size of the product as possible. Ideally, the inside of the box should be designed to create compartments for each element of the product. Any spare space should be filled with insulation/protection. The result is not just a protected product, it’s also prevented from moving. That minimizes potential damage in transit.

Choose The Right Courier

The next step is to choose the right courier. In the past cheapest was usually best because the consumer benefitted from the low cost of delivery. However, if you want it to arrive in perfect condition you may need to be prepared to pay a little more.

It’s a good idea to check the reputation of a courier service. Take a look at their references and, particularly, on social media. You should stay clear of any business that has a 100% satisfaction rate. Although it seems desirable it is unlikely that this could actually happen.

Issues are to be expected and they can help you to understand how the courier service responds. This can help you to decide if they are the right company for you or not.

Add Sensors

There is an increasing number of electronic goods being transported, possibly because technology is moving forward at an impressive rate. Unfortunately, electronic items are generally more sensitive to temperatures and shocks, making them even more complicated to ship.

Even the best packaging cannot help an electronic product allowed to get too hot or too cold. It’s not just electronics, most products have an issue with extremes of temperature. That’s why you need to use temperature monitoring to ensure the product is dispatched safely.

Temperature monitoring is achieved by using a specialized label that displays a specific color. It is preprogrammed to a specific temperature range. If the product goes outside of the specified range the sticker will change color, alerting the recipient who should refuse delivery.

This approach also has the advantage that the courier knows about the temperature monitoring device, helping them to take the necessary precautions.

Label Properly

It is also a good idea to review your labeling procedure, this will ensure the correct details are displayed, facilitating the dispatch and arrival of your parcel. Alongside this, you should verify how you prepare for loading. If you are stacking the products before dispatch you need to adhere to the best practices for height and weight, ensuring the products don’t get damaged before they leave your warehouse.