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Commercial Shipping: How To Ensure Your Products Avoid Damage

Kara Masterson

January 31, 2017

Few shipping companies lose packages because they cannot afford to lose customers. They are competing with several other shippers to be the one that sends the most packages in the fastest amount of time. To remain productive in the industry, ensure that your items stay protected during long truck trips. Here are several tips to help long-distance shippers improve their jobs.

Check the Weather Conditions

Poor weather is a major cause of shipping damage. You cannot control the temperature outside, but you can use a heater or air conditioner to control the temperature inside. Excessive moisture is another problem caused by rain and humidity. Cover the items you ship, and if the moisture levels rise, check for leaks into the truck. Consider using a humidifier to monitor the levels and maintain comfort within the vehicle.

Use a Sturdy Tarp

Professional truckers use strong tarps to protect loads from rain, wind and other weather conditions. They find high-quality tarp products through companies like Glider Systems Inc and not in regular department stores. When you buy, choose the type of material, from vinyl to plastic, along with the size and thickness. Look for a waterproof tarp that can be used, reused and washed a countless number of times.

Plan Ahead of Time

Too many companies rely on last-minute deliveries. They want to ship the items out as quickly as possible without taking the time to plan. They do not realize that they have rushed until it is too late and the customers complain later. Shipping the product correctly is just as important as being timely. If the damages are caused by packing, create a checklist for each worker to follow. Present a list of shipping steps to take from choosing the right packing material to using the right box size.

Make a Log of Incidents

The best way to prevent future mistakes is to review past ones. Maintain a log of shipping mishaps that have occurred over the past few years. Review these events to make sure you are not repeating mistakes and learning from each one. It takes only one journal to make significant improvements to the company's workflow.

Commercial shipping is getting more sophisticated to meet customer demands for speed and convenience. Every company must learn to compete and look for problems that are entirely preventable. Take the right steps to prevent most product damage problems from happening to your company.

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