Transportation Options: Best Professional & Tested
Exploring Types
There are multiple types of transportation; however, not all warehouses use all the different types. This makes it essential for you to understand what is required to move your goods and that the warehouse you choose can meet these requirements. All warehouses use trucking as a primary means of receiving and shipping goods. Some warehouses go beyond that with options such as rail access, inside loading, cranes, etc.
Transportation by Truck
This is by far the most popular of the different methods. We all see trucks traveling across the highways every day. Trucks move everything from groceries to raw materials heading to manufacturing plants. Trucking is the lifeblood of this country. In the past, we primarily dealt with truck lines, whereas today, we work with a wider range of brokers. This isn’t a bad thing because it does provide more options for the client; however, brokers should be vetted using the same criteria as you would for a private trucking company. Personally, I recommend asking if the warehouse you are considering has a relationship with both a broker and a local carrier. This gives you the best of both worlds.
Railroad Transportation
If a client is moving bulk goods, such as steel, from Canada, rail is the best way to transport them. It is more cost-efficient than trying to move it via truck. Using the railroad to transport goods can have some potential drawbacks, such as it takes more time, and there can be delays. Unforeseen fees can be another issue, such as switching fees and demurrage. I encourage long discussions with the railroad that will transport your goods to understand all of the fees that you may incur. Secondly, be sure to ask your chosen warehouse if they accept railcars; not all warehouses can. Another question to ask the warehouse is whether they have charges for accepting railcars on your behalf.
Specialty Options
Some warehouses offer specialty options for loading and unloading goods. One option is indoor loading. This will be a warehouse where trucks can drive in to be loaded or unloaded, and the weather can’t affect the goods. If the goods you are shipping are climate sensitive, this may be an option for you. Another less frequently found option is a crane. Cranes can be used to lift large single-unit goods from a truck or railcar to the dock of a warehouse. This is not common anymore.
