Building Supply Delivery Challenges
No matter what you deliver - millwork, kitchens, cabinetry, windows and doors, building materials - crafting the right building supply logistics system is mission-critical. Once it’s in place, customers and retail partners will enjoy a top-quality experience and management can focus on product development and sales, instead of worrying about getting the product onto the truck and delivered.
Each building supply delivery operation is unique, with its own set of challenges. How are goods stored, pulled, and loaded? Will they be unloaded at a store, yard, or job site? Are there any workflow bottlenecks? How many trucks are necessary? Van body or flatbed? Swap bodies? Are you loading or delivering at dock or ground level? Do you require CDL or non-CDL drivers?
Crafting the perfect logistics system for your company is more than buying the right truck. It’s about examining your product’s journey to the customer; identifying areas for improvement; and implementing the right solutions.
Define Your Goals
Each step your product takes toward delivery is an opportunity to reduce costs or improve performance. Converting time spent on a specific function or problem spot into a cost will help you determine what will best improve the bottom line. This will ensure that you can justify your decisions regarding labor, storage, and equipment. For example: reducing product touches when fulfilling orders will save two hours per day at $17/hour which saves $8,840 a year while also freeing up 520 additional hours to dedicate to more deliveries each year.
Current Needs
Begin with a logistics audit. Outline your existing operation and create a wish list of improvements. This will help you establish a baseline of functions that need attention now and talking points that will help you build consensus with stakeholders as you move forward.
Future Needs
What are your plans for growth over the next 60 months? Are you planning on opening new facilities, territories, or adding new clients? Do you want to add more trucks or focus on re-tooling operations? It’s hard to predict the future, but a solid plan will yield greater success.
Choosing the Right Partners
Streamlining your logistics will most likely involve vendors. Choosing new, or making sure you have the right partners in place is as important as determining the right course of action. Before committing, be sure they'll be there when you need them and they understand your business. They should also have the desire and resources to grow with you.
Operations Wish List:
Delivery Wish List
Logistics Partner Questions
Consider Adding Demountables to Your Logistics System
As you look to proactively upgrade your building supply logistics system, Demountable truck bodies, a.k.a. Swap Bodies should be part of your research. This lean and efficient system is designed to reduce loading expense while smoothing out workflow and increasing the number of deliveries possible per day.
We would be happy to show you how our company and system check off the items on the checklist above. Please call (844) 364-4021 or submit this form. Learn more by viewing our videos.
