In the world of logistics and supply chains, almost all products are transported using various types of load carriers such as crates, pallets, carts or containers. They are reusable means of transport, also known as returnables.
Experience has shown that around 10% to 40% of these carriers disappear from the various supply chains worldwide. They break, disappear, get stolen or are unused biting dust.
The problem with load carriers is that they are rarely fully utilized. While load carriers are ‘returnable’, this is often a tricky process. Especially in open pools it’s difficult to determine where they are or to determine which of the users causes the loss or damage.
Why track and trace your load carriers when they are so easily replaceable? Because a missing load carrier can be the reason that an optimized supply chain can crack and squeak. Load carriers are a crucial link in the logistics process. But why do you have to invest in a good track and trace system for your load carriers? We have listed a number of reasons:
1. Easier to manage
The visibility that tracking and tracing entails helps to identify lost load carriers and where these losses occur. Furthermore, the points in the supply chain where this occurs can be better identified.
2. Maximize the ROI
Where load carriers are damaged, lost or simply not in the right place, a 20% to 30% loss of available load carriers. By tracking the load carriers with track and trace, they are better utilized. It reduces downtime and others can’t take advantage of it. Plus a visible track and trace system works preventive on theft.
3. Minimize the buffer costs
Most companies use a large amount of ‘overcapacity’ for its load carriers to ensure that no shortages occur during peak periods. Realtime tracking of the charge carriers helps to detect downtime. Manual stock counts can also be reduced.
4. Ready for the future
There’s increasing pressure on companies to prevent waste and environmental pollution. The demand for more efficient supply chains and increasing service levels towards customers is increasing all over the world. Tracking and tracing cargo carriers in the logistics process can make a major contribution to this. With Greener logistics, reusable load carriers are used more efficiently. This not only reduces operational costs, it is also possible to minimize the carbon footprint. Reuse is maximized and lost charge carriers are minimized. Big Data also plays a role in the future. Cargo carriers are tracked, valuable information is collected from the supply chain and can then be used to improve the logistics process.
Do you know where your load carriers are or do you lose them? Learn more about the benefit of a track and trace system. Give us a call and have a chat with one of our colleagues, they will gladly give you suitable advice.