The Delivery Dos and Don’ts That Can Improve Efficiency

Do you want to be known as the company that always delivers? Reputation is key in the drive to stay ahead of the competition. You need to produce a high-quality product, promote your business and deliver on time. You need to find a company that can help you fulfil your delivery promises, a company that can offer top class pallet delivery services.

Efficiency, punctuality, reliability – these are all key traits that should be demonstrated by the delivery company you chose. Spend time looking into the courier service you want to use and choose the one you know that you can trust. For example, Sydney has a large number of courier services. So, when you’re looking for a Courier Sydney way, you need to narrow down your search to a company you know will work well for you and/or your business. There are many companies offering pallet delivery services, but it’s important that you do your research and check out the reputation of any company you want to work with. A good company will provide sturdy pallets (which can be used to ship all manner of goods) and will be able to offer a timely service, delivering goods in line with your delivery promises. If you’re operating in Europe, you may want to consider using the services of this european road freight forwarding company to fulfill your shipping obligations.

Packing

Got your goods into despatch? Then it’s time to pick what you need and prepare items for shipment. Poorly packaged products risk being damaged during transit, so follow our mini-guide on packing do’s and don’ts:

Do:

  • Think about space, you can fit a lot on one pallet so make sure you fill it before you start on the next one. Space costs and it will be pricier to ship three-part full pallets than two full ones.
  • Heavier and more bulky items should be loaded onto the pallet first. This is the best way to creates a stable base, on top of this you can place lighter or more delicate items.
  • Always fasten your load securely. Packing straps are useful for securing strange shaped items that might be a little cumbersome to transport. The last thing you want is for your lovingly made products to spew all over the floor as the driver negotiates a sharp left turn.
  • Remember that shrink wrap is your friend! You can wrap it tightly around the load to secure it (and prevent parcels and packages from falling off). Plastic shrink wrap also helps to keep food fresh so if you have some fruit or veg to send palletize it and wrap it carefully. To help with using the shrink wrap, there are Pro-Tect Plastics propane heat guns that can be used to keep everything fresh and contained.

Don’t:

  • Don’t leave gaps – spaces between boxes are not necessary, excess room just allows your packages or parcels to move around on the pallet. It’s better to pack boxes tightly to prevent sliding and slipping.
  • Don’t let your items hang over the edges of the pallet – boxes hanging over the sides etc are prone to damage if they are not properly packed for transport.

Palletising

Palletising your goods can make them easier to handle and keeps them safe and secure.

Do:

  • Check pallet sizes in advance, different courier companies may offer different rates depending on how much space your items will take up.
  • Your driver will also want to know how much is likely to be ready for pick-up to make sure he has adequate space in the wagon.
  • Items need to be drained of any liquids, so all engines and gearboxes should be completely free of any fuel etc before being placed on a pallet.
  • Use straps to secure any packages and boxes safely to the pallet.

Don’t:

  • Use sub-standard of damaged pallets, they won’t hold your products securely which could lead to damage during transit.
  • Forget to regularly inspect your pallets, wooden pallets can rot over time (especially if they soak up water) and plastics pallets can get damaged during transportation (look out for chips and cracks).
  • Ignore the fact you need to get hold of replacement pallets or organise a few more for forthcoming shipments. A lack of planning of your part does not constitute a crisis on your courier’s part!

Collection

Your products might be manufactured but you still need to get them out the door and on the road to your customer.

Do:

  • Be prepared, if you have booked your collection then make sure the products are ready for your courier.
  • Check you have given the correct address and contact numbers (yours and your customer’s)!
  • Make sure you have checked the dimensions and weight of the shipment and that you have advised your courier accordingly.

Don’t:

  • Leave everything until the last moment. If you aren’t ready then you should be prepared to incur additional fees, transport companies run to a tight schedule and you might not be the only company with goods out for pick up on that particular vehicle. A delay at your company could be a problem for lots of other companies too!

Author: Oliver Curtis

Hi there. I’m Oliver. I’m just a young boy from the outskirts of… Okay, that’s a lie, I’m not a young boy anymore, although I certainly feel that way at heart.

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