Cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions go hand-in-hand with winter. This can cause a business’s shipping procedures to struggle. As a business owner, you must prepare your supply chain for the holiday rush as well as these winter conditions, which could hinder your previously smooth operations.
Shipping cannot stop throughout winter, so being aware of certain challenges is incredibly beneficial. Three key shipping challenges often faced in winter are outlined in this post, as well as how to overcome them.
Transportation Delays
As roads become more hazardous from freezing rain, ice, and snow, traffic will begin to slow down or come to a complete standstill. There might even be an increase in the risk of accidents. Even when delays occur more and more during the winter, customers still expect the same service they would receive at any other time of year, so your business must be ready.
While you cannot prevent road closures or restrictions, there are other ways to overcome transportation delays. The first tactic to utilize is planning ahead for delays, and this will be done before shipping even commences. It is best to do this by mapping out your shipping dates and routes well in advance. You can add extra time to deliveries to account for potential slowdowns.
During shipping, it is vital to track weather forecasts and road conditions closely. You can anticipate potential disruptions. This enables you to make necessary adjustments throughout the process. If you don’t already, it is also worthwhile investing in real-time shipment tracking to monitor your packages.
Vehicle Problems
Maintaining your delivery vehicles during the winter months can be tricky. There are several vehicle problems that you might end up facing, and a lot of them are due to the colder weather. For example, when there is a significant drop in temperature, tires can lose pressure. Similarly, the cold weather puts a strain on batteries. This reduces the battery’s efficiency and makes it harder for the engine to start.
Businesses should focus on winter fleet maintenance to reduce the likelihood of vehicle problems. All vehicles must be prepared sufficiently to be deemed roadworthy. Checking and topping off all essential fluids prevents engines freezing. This includes brake fluid, oil, and antifreeze. Batteries must also be regularly tested to guarantee they are in good condition before shipping orders.
Crew Safety Concerns
Not only do you have to consider the equipment and tools you use when shipping, but you need to think about the safety of your workers. Winter shipping poses safety concerns for employees, particularly due to health risks and hazardous working conditions. Workers might experience hypothermia from cold exposure. They could even slip on ice or struggle to see during storms.
Some of these issues are easy to overcome. Enforcing the use of proper clothing, like insulated coats and waterproof boots with good grip, can stop workers from becoming cold and ill. It is also crucial to manage work schedules during these months. Limiting time spent on deck can decrease the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, which are caused by cold, wet conditions.
To conclude, shipping products during winter is necessary to keep a business afloat. It is trickier than any other time of year, and there will be several challenges you need to face. Thankfully, using the information in this post, you can overcome said challenges and continue serving your customers.
