How To Choose A Refridgerated Transport Company
Transporting perishable products can be a daunting task. For this reason, many businesses engage the services of refrigerated transport companies. If you happen to need the services of a refrigerated transport company, read the article below for a few tips.
Company Suitability
Below are a few ways in which you can assess the company suitability:
- Conduct some background research to establish the company's reputation. For example, check client reviews to know the quality of services that the company offers and the professionalism of their personnel.
- Assess the company's specialisation by checking the products they transport. Typically, you are better off working with a company that transports similar products.
- What transport solutions does the company offer? For instance, you could opt for companies that offer less than truckload services when transporting small batches of goods. Assess the company's operating routes. It is especially so when you want the products delivered interstate or to another country.
Cold Chain Practices
Below are some essential cold chain practices that the company should observe:
Preparation
Proper preparation will prevent product spoilage during transport. Typically, all products should be cleaned to get rid of contaminants. Additionally, the products should be packed to ensure maximum aeration in the refrigeration truck. The refrigeration truck must be disinfected. Moreover, the refrigeration unit should be in excellent condition.
Product Transportation
The products should arrive at their destination before their shelf life expires. During transport, the drivers should monitor the products to ensure that they do not suffer any damage. If the truck makes regular stops, the driver should adjust the refrigerated unit to prevent temperature loss.
Documentation
The primary purpose of documentation is to establish mishaps in the cold chain process. The company staff should indicate the condition of the products during pickup, at regular intervals during transport and at their destination. In case some of the products go bad, it becomes easy to determine at what point they went bad.
Terms And Pricing
The refrigerated transport company should have friendly terms. Ideally, they should adjust their services to suit your business needs. For instance, there are cases when you could need a last-mile delivery or cold storage facility. For international shipping, the company should help you secure the required permits.
How much does the company charge? Most companies have competitive prices. However, it is not to say that you should not negotiate their quote. Remember to check the deposit and cancellation policy.
When hiring a refrigerated transport company, check the company suitability, cold chain practices, terms and pricing.