CHALLENGES IN FURNITURE TRANSPORT AND WAYS TO SOLVE THEM

 

The logistics industry is growing every day. Requirements and challenges are increasing every day. A robust infrastructure is driving the logistics company. The different components require different logistic requirements. One such complicated process is the 

Furniture logistics is a challenging requirement. There are various reasons for this. The primary issue arises in packing. Storing the goods between long transits also requires additional planning. 

Professional logistics solutions for furniture transport provide the best possible solution to all those challenges. 

PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS

Unlike other logistics, furniture logistics require special care. This is because it is not possible to pack furniture like other products. Also, it is not possible to load and transport them along with other packages. The basic requirements for furniture logistics are - 

• The packed furniture require manual handling. Mechanical equipment may cause damage to the furniture. 

• The loading strategy is vital. If not followed properly, there would be empty spaces in the container leading to losses. 

• Furniture has flaws. Literally, each touch increases the damage!

CHALLENGES IN FURNITURE LOGISTICS

Proper planning and strategy help in overcoming the challenges in furniture transport. A few tips in the planning process are - 

• Converging planning and production data - 

Identify the locations to which the furniture requires delivery. If there are multiple deliveries in a similar location, combining those deliveries will increase efficiency. For this, production planning requires optimization. Production and delivery of all the goods together will save an additional trip to the same location. This is possible only if the business has end-to-end visibility between the production plan and delivery schedule. 

• Pre-planning - 

The best way to get the most optimal route is by following the most cost-effective approach. Mapping out routes and timings not only proves to be efficient but also gives the best and most legible route. Although this process requires a high degree of planning and communication, the results provide routes that have a high level of controllability. 

• Customer services - 

Almost all furniture-related deliveries require assembly and installation. The time and effort required for each installation process vary tremendously. Such services require planning with time allocations. Still, delays happen in certain instances, which leads to a loss in schedule, thereby, lowering customer satisfaction. 

• Customer notifications - 

The process of informing the live status of the delivery to the customer. This process should not have any delays and strictly followed. Additional services like informing the customers in case of an inevitable delay improves the overall functioning of the system. These features provide a positive impact on the customers, which lets them come back to you for the next order as well.

• Plan B - 

There are situations that are beyond our control. Situations like road accidents, natural disasters, and production shortages happen without warning. There is a requirement to overcome such issues. This is why an alternative plan comes into play. 

SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS 

Every challenge has a problem. And similarly, the furniture transport system also has solutions. A few simple steps for implementation are - 

• Warehouses and location of distribution centers -

The Strategic process of setting up distribution centers and warehouses near the customers. This lowers the delivery time as well as lowers the damages. This process increases customer satisfaction and prevents customers from long waiting duration. 

• White glove service - 

This process lowers the damage happening during transit. In this process, the workers inspect furniture thoroughly before the transit. Also, the driver completes the safe delivery of the product. This ensures that the product is not damaged during transit. Also, it becomes capable to find the spots where the product is most susceptible to damage. 

• Software for inventory management and logistics - 

State-of-the-art technology lets you know the exact stock available for a particular product. Similarly, the logistics software provides idea about the position of the trucks and their condition. Artificial intelligence can help in identifying damages thereby helping in delivery fulfillment and satisfaction. 

• Collaborations -

It is not necessary to fulfill all requirements independently. Taking help or collaborating with others sometimes helps in positive growth. This also provides a chance in building a customized solution for the business. 

• Distribution strategy - 

There are basically 2 types of delivery - Full Truck Load (FL) and Less Than Truck Load (LTL). Comparatively, the LTL is costly and in some cases delivers damaged products. 

• Data management - 

Apart from investing in software, investing in the latest technology provides high customer satisfaction. Storing data helps in projecting future trends and customer consumption details. 

WAY AHEAD

Furniture logistics is a process that focuses mostly on the movement of products that are in certain cases highly fragile. It is essential to provide a safe, reliable, and timely transport service. 

Studies show that the furniture logistics company is growing at a rate of more than 10% per annum. The total worth of the company was worth more than $90 billion. This is projected to be worth more than $1.3 trillion by 2026. 

The Logistics Solutions For Furniture Transport improves the movement services. This will make the service highly reliable, lean, and customer friendly.