Cutting Costs, Not Corners: Prime tips for meat shippers to beef up efficiency and savings
Barbecued ribs. Sunday roast. Holiday ham. Meat shippers are the unsung heroes ensuring hungry consumers find their favorite entrée at their grocery stores.
But no one said it was easy. According to Sentient, “The average person in the United States eats 327.8 lbs. of meat annually, tying the country for first in meat consumption.” This high consumption rate makes meat shipping in the U.S. a complex and demanding task, requiring attention to detail and specialized knowledge.
From ensuring food safety to managing costs, meat shippers face unique challenges that can significantly impact their bottom line. Paying attention to those critical aspects can ensure smooth and cost-effective operations. If your logistics department is struggling to lower costs, bringing in a third-party logistics partner, like Dynamic Logistics, could help you maintain product quality and meet customer expectations.
Proper Accessorial Management Reduces Costs
Managing accessorial charges shouldn’t be an afterthought for meat shippers. These charges quickly rack up for services that logistics departments can avoid, like:
- Loading and unloading
- Equipment usage
- Refrigeration maintenance
- Washing and sanitation
- Weekend and holiday delivery
Effective accessorial management involves understanding what each charge entails and how to mitigate them. For instance, scheduling deliveries during non-peak hours can reduce detention fees.
Strategic accessorial management is key for maintaining profitability, and with help from a 3PL, logistics teams can make smarter decisions on everything from product loading to proper temperature maintenance to minimize costs.
Utilize Technology for Smarter Shipping
Implementing a transportation management system (TMS) enables meat shippers to do more with less and cost reduction, maximizing productivity with fewer resources. This technology gives logistics teams opportunities to better manage their data, make more informed decisions, and optimize their supply chain operations.
Dynamic Logistix’s TMS platform offers comprehensive solutions, from real-time shipment tracking to automated invoicing processes, streamlining operations and minimizing errors. By saving time and improving accuracy, it significantly enhances the effectiveness of logistics teams.
Essential Food-Grade Requirements for Meat Safety
Not every carrier can meet the stringent requirements for transporting food-grade products. Meat shipping demands specific conditions to ensure product safety and quality such as:
- Temperature control
- Sanitation and cleanliness
- Proper packaging and handling
- Documentation and traceability
Carriers need to meet important local, state, and federal regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in the U.S., which sets standards for safe transportation of food. It’s also critical that they obtain necessary certifications (e.g., Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points – HACCP) for food safety practices.
Coordination is key in this area, and working with carriers that are experienced in handling food-grade shipments is essential. DLX excels in this realm by providing tailored solutions and reliable carriers that meet the rigorous standards required for meat transportation. Ensuring your carrier can accommodate these needs will prevent costly delays and spoilage.
Claims Hassles and Sensitivity to Risk
Shipping meat involves unique risks, specifically concerning claims related to product quality and safety. Refrigerated and frozen meat products are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations and handling mishaps.
Overlooking important environmental factors may contribute to unsafe consumption and a product recall, which according to Trustwell, cost businesses on average up to $10 million.
The risk of claims can be mitigated by using reliable carriers, investing in quality packaging, and maintaining strict temperature controls throughout the shipping process. At Dynamic Logistix, our dedicated account managers help your team develop a robust claims avoidance and management strategy by first working on preventing claims and then handling issues swiftly and efficiently when they do occur. This approach minimizes financial losses and maintains customer trust.
OTIF Performance Shapes Profitability and Reputation in Meat Shipping
On Time and In Full (OTIF) performance impacts a meat shipper’s profitability and reputation. OTIF fines can be substantial, turning what might seem like a compliance issue into a critical profitability factor.
Consistently meeting OTIF standards requires meticulous planning and execution. It involves not only timely deliveries but also ensuring that the shipments are complete and in perfect condition.
Viewing OTIF as a profitability driver rather than a compliance hurdle can motivate shippers to invest in better processes and technologies, ultimately leading to improved operational performance.
The Meat Shipping Experts
Dynamic Logistix is proud to be known as the Meat Shipping Experts. The combination of our expertise and comprehensive XTMS platform provides meat shippers with cutting-edge technology and a dedicated account team to effectively manage accessorial charges, meet stringent food-grade standards, handle claims, and prioritize OTIF performance. Plus, our extensive network of over 10,000 carriers ensures reliable and food-safe transportation solutions.
By excelling in these critical areas, we enhance shipping operations, reduce costs, and boost profitability for all our clients. If you need more evidence, hear directly from our clients why they like working with us: dynamiclogistix.com/meat.
Ready to skip to the good part? Schedule a demo with our team.
