A quick Google search of trucking forums shows that many in the industry have had unpleasant experiences with lumpers. So widespread is this opinion that we set out to diagnose the problem and explain why a properly managed lumper program is an asset to both the host company and the drivers who visit it. Commonly
In any business, using a warehouse becomes a prerequisite. It is the place where raw or produced materials are stored. This serves as the link between production site and logistics department of the company. To keep margins on the higher side, it is necessary to keep warehouse operating costs within control. Without effective planning and
As a provider of unloading and support services for warehouses, we’ve seen the tunnel vision that can befall managers all too often. It’s easy to fall into the “business as usual” trap. When you’re busy working in the business, sometimes you need some outside perspective to be able to work on the business—to that end,
Partnering with a freight handling company for your warehouse is a big decision. Your company should create a detailed set of requirements and measureable objectives for improvement before contacting potential providers. In this post, we outline some of the top areas to consider when evaluating an unloading service. Longevity If a critical partner in your
Between a warehouse’s staff, its shippers, and its in-house or contracted labor, the inbound supply chain is a complex equation. Even the most sophisticated distribution centers are filled with opportunities for improvement. Here are just a few points to consider when thinking big picture about your warehouse operations. Capture data at every unloading touchpoint. There’s
Costa Solutions is more than just a warehouse temp agency. A quick search for this term will reveal a lot of companies doing business under this model. But what’s the danger of contracting with someone who bills themselves as a “temp agency?” If you’re having a sudden crisis with your internally managed warehouse labor force
Although many in warehouse labor pay workers a flat hourly rate, at Costa we've found that incentivized pay can be the most productive way to compensate workers. One of the biggest issues that DC’s find in warehouse contracting is that they choose labor outsourcing based on price, rather than on service quality. While it isn’t
As the United States faces growing competition in the global market, businesses need to improve inbound and outbound freight, as well as warehouse operations. Any enhancements in the efficiency of freight transportation are magnified many times over in the supply chain, thereby creating a competitive edge for those economies that experience high-efficiency and low-cost transport.
In 2016 you have a wide range of resources to help you maximize the efficiency of your warehouse operations. Things that were just pipe dreams a decade ago are business-as-usual today. The availability of automated scheduling and inventory systems have revolutionized the way warehouses operate. Here we outline some of the best strategies to help