Choosing a reliable warehouse partner might sound like a simple business decision but as they can play an important role in the success of a business, choosing the right organisation is crucial.
There are several factors to consider when deciding which warehousing and logistics business to use. Take time to think about what you need now as well as what your business will need in the short, medium and long term.
Here are some of the key factors to consider:
Convenience
Location and connectivity are important factors. Consider where your goods are distributed and look for a partner with good connectivity which aligns with the distribution you require.
Space and scalability
Look for a warehouse with adequate space which will meet your needs. It will help if have a clear idea of the volume of goods you need to be housed.
If you have significant growth plans for your business, then you will want a partner who has the capacity to scale and grow with you. Equally, if your business is seasonal or experiences peaks and troughs then you will need to look for a partner that can be flexible to meet your changing needs.
Security
Security is probably one of the top priorities to consider when choosing a warehouse partner.
Valuable stock needs secure storage but we would argue that any loss can be costly even if the items aren’t of significant value. A loss of stock, whatever the reason, can have a negative impact beyond the value of the stock in question.
It can affect fulfilment, delivery times and consequently, there could be serious repercussions in terms of customer satisfaction and damage to brand and reputation. Ask questions about how your goods will be stored and what security is in place.
Accreditations
Look for accreditations. If you have dangerous goods to store and transport, you’ll need to select a partner with a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). Even if you don’t have specific requirements, it is a good idea to check for other accreditations such as BRC and ISO. At Grace Overseas we are a qualified DGSA and hold BRC, ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 accreditations. Find out more about these here.
Packing, labelling and fulfilment
Consider whether you need a complete solution from unloading your stock through to picking, packing, labelling, and loading.
Real-time information
Real-time information about stock levels can help improve data and efficiency within a business. Having a clear and accurate view of your inventory enables better planning and a good understanding of the position of the business.
Specific requirements
Do you have any specialist requirements such as a temperature-controlled environment for the storage of certain goods? Or perhaps you need a partner with experience in storing dangerous goods? Make sure you check that your requirements are met before shortlisting partners to find the perfect fit.
Having the right partner in place to store, prepare and ship your goods directly to your customers will give you peace of mind and free up time to focus on your business. If you are looking for a new warehouse partner, get in touch to find out more about our logistics and storage services and how we can help.
