Who’s got your stuff?
You have staked your reputation on the quality of your products and your service to your clients. Once those products leave your site, you need to trust the custodian of those products and, ultimately, the custodian of your good reputation. Your service, integrity and care of your precisely monitored products are in someone else’s hands until they can be moved to your client in a safe, efficient and timely manner.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and a warehouse and logistics provider represents many important links in the supply chain connecting your products with your customers. Your warehouse provider can make or break your business. Selecting a warehouse and logistics provider is a critical decision for you and your clients.
So how do you make a decision without making a mistake?
Location, Location, Location
As with any real estate decision, you need to pick a location that will serve you well and suit your unique needs. Answering these questions will help you locate a facility that meets your requirements for access and transport.
- Is the facility strategically located to major highways and rail systems?
- How quickly and how far can the provider transport your goods?
- Is the provider convenient to your manufacturing and processing facility?
- Is the warehousing provider strategically located to your end users?
But location is only part of the equation.
Facility Capabilities and Condition
Visiting the facility will help you answer more critical questions.
- Is the building in pristine condition, including roofing, ventilation, framing, lighting, insulation, flooring and drainage?
- Are the ceiling heights and loading docks sufficient to house and manage your products?
- Is there indoor rail access?
- Is the space adequate to house your products?
- Can the facility safely house various types of products without fear of contamination or adverse interactions?
- Is the facility USDA and/or FDA approved to house food-grade products?
- Does the facility provide adequate turning space and flow for products?
- What type of warehouse management system does the provider use and how will it facilitate your ability to track inventory and retain records?
Safety and Security
Your products are vulnerable to many risks and hazards once they leave your care. How can you be sure that your products will be safe and secure in this warehousing facility?
- What type of security system is installed?
- Does the facility have cameras, door alarms and electronic locks?
- Are sprinkler systems installed and in good operating condition?
- Is the facility temperature controlled to accommodate and protect various types of products?
- Is the weatherization adequate to protect your product?
- Are adequate pest control and eradication systems in place?
Management and Staff
The warehouse facility can be the largest, most impressive building with state-of-the-art technology, but the human resources are as important, if not more important, than the physical resources. When you visit the facility, ask who will be in charge of your account and observe warehouse personnel at work. These are the people who will be loading and unloading, guarding and transporting your goods. If your goods are damaged or arrive late or with inaccuracies and omissions, your reputation as the supplier is damaged as well. Know who is handling your products.
- Can management provide you with reliable references to validate their claims?
- Is the business financially stable?
- Does the provider have a good reputation as an employer or have there been labor relations issues?
- Do the workers you observe seem to be able to carry out their tasks competently and is morale seemingly good?
The Bottom Line
So how much will it cost? If the questions above cannot be answered in a way that gives you confidence in the services provided, it doesn’t matter what it costs. Don’t be lured by a low-ball estimate that sounds too good to be true. It probably is. Be clear about your expectations and as accurate as possible about your needs so your warehouse provider doesn’t need to “guesstimate” your cost. You need a realistic appraisal of what your costs will be to secure your products, transport them, store them and accurately deliver them to your clients, on time, in good condition. And that costs money, but it is money well-spent when it guarantees that the effort and quality you foster in the production of your goods will be protected and extended along all those links in the supply chain.
Moran Industries Has the Answers
We at Moran Industries, located in Central PA, invite you to print these questions and contact us for the answers.
- We can provide the answer to your warehousing and logistics needs in one of our 11 facilities with over 2 million square feet of retail and food grade storage.
- With our company-owned trucks just minutes from major highways in Central Pennsylvania and rail sidings at three facilities served by the Norfolk Southern Main Line and the North Shore Main line, we can move your goods to 40% of the population in 8 hours or less.
- We provide machinery and retail warehousing as well as FDA and USDA food-grade storage protected by a full sprinkler system, climate control and central alarm systems.
- At Moran we can provide rigging services in our heavy crane bay complemented by 50-ton and 75-ton mobile cranes.
- Our Infor Warehouse Management System will give you real time access to track your inventory by pallet, case, tray and item.
- We can reduce your distribution and high destination labor costs by consolidating your shipping and providing pick and pack services.
- And if you don’t see what you need in our existing facilities, we can offer you our full built-to-suit warehousing solutions created to meet your exact specifications.
So bring your warehousing questions to Moran Industries headquartered in Watsontown, PA, and we will do “Whatever It Takes” to provide you with the answers that will meet your needs.
Contact Moran Industries to learn how we can be your Warehousing Services Provider.
