Getting Where You're GoingGetting Where You're Going

If you deal with perishable products, then you know the importance of handling your products with care during transit. A single mistake by your transport agent is enough to bring down your revenues by a significant margin. Furthermore, failure to handle your items correctly translates to more losses as you delay your deliveries or demand compensation from the transporters. Thankfully, you can mitigate all these bad possibilities if you know how to find a refrigerated transport service. Here is a guide that will help you make the best choice for your business: 

Good Loading Practices

One of the leading causes of rejected refrigerated loads is bad loading practices by the transporters. Specifically, loading the items into the truck at the wrong temperature increase the chances of those items getting to you in an unwanted state. So, what should an excellent transporter do? When the driver and the loaders arrive at the picking point, they will check the temperature of the load. They will also probe how long the goods have been sitting at the dock rather than taking off with the whole load at the wrong temperature. 

The transporter needs to pre-cool the load to the desired temperature before embarking on the journey to your warehouse or retail store. Additionally, they should also have advanced temperature monitors that can detect heat issues early before they occur and send signals to the carriers. 

Early Detection of Equipment Failure

Go for carriers whose trucks are fitted with active alarms to detect a failure of refrigeration equipment. Some transporters avoid these additional features because of the extra costs involved. However, the good ones will protect your interest and ensure that they can keep an eye on the refrigerated container at all times. In the event of a malfunction, a team stationed at the transport company's back office will advise the driver on the best possible course of action, depending on the nature of the failure. 

Cleanliness and Sanitation 

Ideally, it would help if you worked with a transport company that can account for the cleanliness of the trucks and containers used in transit. Note that perishable products are highly susceptible to contamination by bacteria and other microorganisms. For example, oil-based products such as butter and certain types of meat are highly prone to contamination by a strong odour. The carrier must be able to show records of regular cleaning and sanitation of the containers and boxes used during transit. This is important before getting into an agreement with them.