The way people do business has significantly evolved over the past 50 years. Businesses no longer fully rely on marketing their products business through brick-and-mortar store settings. Nowadays, B2B and B2C transactions are done mostly online. Nevertheless, one thing has not changed.
Physical products still need to be transported physically from one place to another. It is therefore important for businesses to be aware of the logistics side of their transactions. How are their products being handled by their logistics partners? Are payloads being secured with harnesses or retractable ratchet straps?
Ways to Keep Your First Product Shipment Secured
Most often than not, startup business owners want to secure that their first batch of ordered products is shipped without problems. Here are five ways to ensure that your first shipment is secure.
- Pay Attention to Your Vehicle’s Load Limit
First-time small business owners may invest in a flatbed pickup truck to transport their goods during the first few deliveries. They will then purchase larger trucks when their businesses become successful. However, business owners must pay attention to the load limit that their transport vehicles can handle.
Each vehicle has a maximum load limit, and this limit is indicated in the vehicle manual. It is best not to overload your transport vehicle to prevent it from breaking down during the transport of your goods. Likewise, keeping the loads below their maximum capacity will ensure longer service life for your service vehicle.
- Check the Condition of Your Restraining Gear
The success of transporting your products safely to their destination will largely depend on how secure they are placed on your transport vehicle. You do not want to have heavy loads slipping and sliding on your pickup bed because this is a sure accident waiting to happen.
It is best to check the condition of the restraining gear you are using to secure your cargo in place. Ensure that the retractable ratchet straps that you will use are in good condition and can handle the load.
Retractable ratchet straps are used to secure loads during transport. The retractable ratchet allows for the straps to tighten around the load. When using ratchet straps, it is best to make sure to use straps that have a higher lashing capacity than the load you need to secure. Otherwise, the straps may break.
- Regularly Check Your Load During Transport
Chains and straps may shift their position, especially when you make sudden turns with your load. If you are transporting your products across long distances, it is best to check your restraining straps as often as possible to make sure that they are still tight. Always inspect and retighten your straps during your regular stops.
- Make Sure Tie-Down Points and Hooks are in Excellent Condition
A chain or strap that can lash large load capacities is useless if the hooks and tie-down pins they are attached to are weak. It is best to check the load capacity of the tie-down points and ensure that they are connected securely to your vehicle.
- Consider Load Balance and Center of Gravity
When loading the bed of a pickup truck, make sure that you are balancing the weight. It is best to secure heavier loads near the cab so that the weight will be near the middle of the truck. This way, the weight will be balanced, and the driver will have better handling of the vehicle during transport.
By keeping your delivery and transport system secured, you can be sure that your customers will order from you again.
