When your business deals with perishable goods or anything that requires precise temperature regulation — your cold chain logistics management must be on point.
From specialized cold chain networks to specific packaging materials, cold chain logistics management is a crucial aspect of the broader supply chain of your business.
Below, we’ll discuss the nine best practices in cold chain logistics management to ensure your temperature-sensitive products arrive at their destination without issue.
1. Strategic Pre-Shipment Prep
The first step to nailing your overall cold chain logistics in the trucking industry is to go over every aspect of your cold chain before loading precious cargo.
In other words, your team must check over the reefer trailer or any other specialized refrigeration device before anything goes in. From steam cleaned or pre-cooled, doing a pre-shipment prep on your cold chain will save you from a headache down the road.
2. Make Sure Your Cold Chain is Cold Enough
Cold is a relative term.
Depending on your cargo, your cold chain may require cryogenic temperatures. Whether you need sub-zero temperatures or not, you must ensure your cooling equipment meets the needs of your cargo.
Ultimately, your cold chain equipment must be versatile enough to maintain a broad set of temperatures. Whether you’re hauling subtropical fruit or medical vaccines, your equipment must be ready to perform.
3. Packaging Method
Next, you’ll want to determine what type of packaging is for your shipment.
Will the shipment require water, ice, or dry ice? Furthermore, will the load necessitate the use of specialized packaging due to the nature of the products?
On top of the packaging material, your shipment will also experience active cooling from the cold chain, such as a reefer. Therefore, everything must align to make sure every ounce of the product retains its maximum quality.
4. Personalized Cold Chain Networks
Going from point A to B proves difficult when you don’t have a strategic network in place.
In other words, it’s vital to have a personalized cold chain network ready for your shipment the moment they arrive at your warehouse or a nearby airport. Ultimately, personalized cold chain networks are specialized locations ready to handle temperature-sensitive products for extended periods before shipment.
5. SOP is Everything in Cold Chain Logistics Management
If your team isn’t trained under recognized SOPs — you’re in for trouble.
Temperature-sensitive products are challenging to transport even under ideal conditions. Therefore, a breach in SOP may result in a quickly spoiled shipment.
Ultimately, SOPs are the backbone of cold chain logistics management and require strict attention to detail.
6. Efficient Cost Management and Routing
When it comes to transporting temperature-sensitive goods — you want your drivers to take the most efficient route.
Using state-of-the-art smart-routing technology, your drivers will take less time to transport sensitive shipments. By doing so, shipments are delivered on time and reduce fuel consumption.
Ultimately, smart routing reduces overhead and decreases the time a shipment takes from point A to point B.
7. Reduce Waste With Technology
According to studies in the US, roughly 10% of food (spoiled) is lost during transit.
As you can imagine, 10% is a massive figure that never arrives at its destination in edible form. Luckily, technology is available where shipment providers can monitor their shipment’s temperature in real-time.
8. Train Your Team For the Job
When it comes to cold chain logistics management — you want a team that’s ready for the job.
In other words, you’ll need to focus on your team’s experience regarding cold chain management. Cold chain management is a niche that must be met with a dedication to the craft where time is money.
Remember, each shipment is a race against the clock, and your team must be ready for every obstacle.
9. Always Stay on the Right Side of Compliance
Regarding cold chain logistics management — your business needs to remain compliant.
In other words, your shippers cannot cut corners even if it means a delayed shipment. From food contamination to food safety, the FDA is diligently taking a stance against shippers that do not follow current rules and regulations.
Overall, hiring an on-site compliance manager is best to ensure your team stays on the right side of compliance.
