In the world of supply chain management, plenty goes into getting your product to the right place at the right time. In a perfect scenario, every package would arrive in pristine condition, and you’d have as little waste as possible. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way—things happen during transit that can lead to cracked or damaged goods.
If you are responsible for inventory control, it’s your job to reduce these instances as much as possible. Product damage is costly on several levels—from finances to customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
How do we keep from destroying our inventory? These four practical solutions will reduce product damage right away.
Make Sure Your Packaging Is the Right Size
When calculating the size of your packaging, it’s essential to make sure that the container is large enough to hold the product but not so large that the items can shift during transit. This can also reduce extra warehouse storage costs.
Packaging is the most practical way to reduce product damage. It’s also worth keeping an eye on how heavy your package will be before you start filling it. Choose the correct shipping materials for your needs.
Use the Right Materials for Your Product
To reduce product damage, consider the materials you’re using. Choose durable and strong materials that can withstand the conditions of your product. If you use more rigid or heavy-duty materials, you may need to adjust your packaging design or shipping methods.
Consider using an industrial-grade carton with reinforced corners and double walls as well as packing aids such as peanuts or bubble wrap if you have a fragile or highly breakable item. You should also consider using corrugated cardboard packaging material because it is much stronger and more resistant to punctures and tears.
Palletize Your Inventory
Many businesses find that storing inventory on pallets has several benefits, and using a forklift to move pallets of products and merchandise makes warehouse organization easy. Palletizing your inventory will help prevent damage when handling products and allows you to be more mobile when moving products from one area to another.
Don’t Put Perishable Products in Transit for Too Long
When shipping products, the key is to keep things moving—literally. Ship perishable goods with climate control, which means they must remain at a consistent temperature throughout the journey. The last thing that you want is for your perishable products to spoil in transit. They can become unusable by the time they reach their destination.
If you’re shipping any temperature-sensitive items, use the fastest service available to avoid any unnecessary delay between when they leave your warehouse and when they arrive at the destination.
Keep It Safe
There are many ways to reduce product damage. From using suitable materials for your product to ensuring your packaging is the right size, you can take some simple steps to avoid unnecessary losses. Take these steps now so that your business doesn’t suffer from an unexpected loss in inventory.
