Material handling plays a vital role in nearly all aspects of the supply chain process, from raw materials and manufacturing to distribution and consumption. Of course, proper care of your inventory is always important, but one area where safe and effective material-handling systems are especially critical is in food storage warehousing and distribution.
Not only does a well-designed and managed material-handling system help keep your food and beverage products safe by preventing damage and loss — it also improves your business’s efficiency, lowers handling costs, and helps with inventory management and flow.
Whether you store your own food products or have a third-party warehousing partner, it’s important to understand the benefits of proper food and beverage material handling.
What is Material Handling?
Material handling is a system of processes that aid in the movement, storage, protection, and control of products. Effective material handling involves the right combination of competent and well-trained staff, proper planning and coordination, and material-handling equipment (lift trucks, pallets, slip sheets, ramps, conveyors, etc.).
These elements work together to create an integrated, cohesive system that streamlines your supply chain operations and improves logistics.
Ultimately, the safe and efficient handling of your inventory can have a profound impact on product quality, customer satisfaction, and your bottom line. That’s why the importance of material handling in logistics and supply chain management cannot be overstated.
Proper Handling of Food and Beverage Products
Material handling is important in warehousing and distribution no matter what you’re storing, but it becomes even more important when you’re dealing with food products.
Handling food items is more complex and time-sensitive than many other types of goods. You want to be sure that your products are being stored at the right temperature, that they remain properly sealed, that they are safe from pests, and that they’re easily accessible.
Not all warehouses have the facilities, tools, and know-how to safely store, handle, and transport food products. That’s why it’s important to find a licensed food-grade warehouse that knows what they’re doing and complies with FDA regulations to store your non-perishable food items.
Expert Food Storage and Distribution In Portland and St. Louis
A good food storage warehousing partner should do more than just store your items until you need them. They should help you manage your inventory and streamline your supply-chain process and operations.
At Bridgetown Trucking, we’re more than just a storage facility— we’re a logistics partner. That means we can help streamline your operations and improve your supply chain with our broad range of integrated services. In addition to our top-of-the-line, food-grade facilities, we can assist with inventory management, order fulfillment, transport, and distribution.
We have what it takes to not only store your non-perishable food and beverage items, but to safely handle, transport, and deliver them on time and in top-quality condition too. When you partner with Bridgetown, you can rest easy knowing your products are in good hands from the moment we receive them to the point they are delivered.
Here are some of the benefits of working with us:
- Our state-of-the-art facilities in Portland, OR and Hazelwood, MO offer a combined 305,000 square feet of space for all your short- and long-term storage needs.
- We follow the strictest health and safety standards. We’re registered with the FDA as a food-grade warehouse and our facilities meet strict good manufacturing practices (GMP) guidelines.
- Our safe and secure facilities are equipped with 24/7 video monitoring with 30+ day retention. We also utilize cell-connected security systems and our yards are patrolled regularly.
- Our facility is customs bonded and meets TSA compliance standards, which allows us to store our partners’ imported goods.
- You can monitor your inventory data 24/7 with our easy-to-use warehouse management system. We also send out monthly reports so you always know your inventory is safe, secure, and accessible.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you and your business!