Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Refrigerated Transport Company
Refrigerated transport is mainly used in the transport of cold-stored food products and medical products, including medicines and vaccines. It's a company that needs to be well organised with the necessary process, trained staff and management. Refrigerated transport is more of a tricky business.
If you are looking for a reputed refrigerated transport company, you must ensure that you are in the right place. All you need to do is to ask the right questions about their business and services.
Here we present some questions that can lead you to find a professional refrigerated transport company.
What modes of transport do they use?
A refrigerated transport company's fundamental and primary equipment is refrigerated vehicles. A vehicle with temperature control technology and remote monitoring system mode will be the best option for a refrigerated transport company. It always demands the updated and best modes of transport in the form of refrigerated transport.
It should be in the first option of the question list before hiring any refrigerated transport company. So, take time and ask the question to know precisely the modes of transport they provide before hiring and putting money into any clod chain logistic solution.
What type of transportation protection is available?
The product you are transporting must be in good condition and perfect shape; it also requires keeping your product fresh and cold from start to end of the transportation journey. Sometimes transportation needs a long time in transit to reach the destination. Verities of Protection facilities are required for the refrigerated product transportation system to keep your goods in brand-new condition.
There will be no surplus if the product loses its temptation and freshness. Maintaining the temperature throughout the transportation process is the key to delivering your product in the proper shape and texture. You must keep this question in mind and ensure good-quality transportation protection.
Ask about the availability of humidity control as well as temperature control
A cold storage area typically has less humidity than a warmer space. But it doesn't ensure that refrigerated transport will automatically have a controlled humidity level. For example, they need to stay cool and dry. Nothing is more important than holding your product's original condition and flavour.
That's why you need to know the humidity level and temperature in the vehicles when choosing refrigerated delivery. Thus, you can ensure your products are overall protected from outside weather. You should also ask and mention special requirements if you have one.
Ask if your product should have its own truckload
Though refrigerated transport will have temperature control usually, some items are better delivered on their own to ensure that the temperature is not affected by other consignments.
In particular, products like ice cream, frozen syrup, ice, foods like whipped cream, and other items like these need to stay at a strictly controlled temperature so that they don't get melted or damaged during transport.
You should ask a refrigerated transport company about moving them on their entirely own vehicles so you can make sure that the temperature does not diverge because of products around them that may soak up cold and affect the integrity of the product.
Ask if there is a need for food-grade surfaces
Refrigerated transport doesn't perpetually mean having food-grade surfaces, which can be a legal obligation if you are shipping food products. This is even true for frozen items as well. If you need antibacterial surfaces or a cargo area that is built in a customised way or sealed, make sure to ask about this when choosing refrigerated transport. If you ask for a food-grade surface will ensure that you are not only compliant with the regulation but that your goods and products will be safe from any type of defecation during shipping.
Are there any shipping limits to worry about?
As the product is yours, you have to ask about every aspect of inquiries related to cold storage facility and refrigerated transportation. Alongside the temperature problem, humidity level and food-grade surfaces, there can be shipping limits. The amount of product they can transit, the estimated time they will need, and the safety of your product until they reach their destination.
If you have any specific requirements, you should mention them. You should ask about their shipping limits and the pros and cons of every detail. It will help to lead you to a well-organised refrigerated transport company.
Do they have any insurance policies for their company?
Besides all the facilities, your consignment can be hampered at any time by accidental cases or any other unexpected cause. Any problem can arise without notification. A refrigerated company with an insurance policy will be the best choice in these circumstances. Thus, before hiring any refrigerated transport company, you need to ask them if they have any insurance policy to ensure your product's safety and pay back the system in terms of any accidental case.
Ask the previous customers' reviews about hiring them
No refrigerated company will tell you about their wrong side and worse experiences. They will only show you the good side of their service as they want to convince you to hire them. The customers are the people who can show you the inner picture of any refrigerated transport company. Your priority in the question list should be asking them about their previous customer review about hiring them. This questioning will help you to ensure that your valuable refrigerated products are in safe hands to transport.
Based on cold chain guidelines, people also ask if their products are loaded with adequate airflow and whether the product's boxes are frequently checked during transport to ensure a safe temperature. The time duration that one company need to transit the consignment and many more related to their goods. Refrigerated transport and cold storage companies with longtime experience get more attention and priority from people in need of delivering their products.
By asking these questions before hiring a refrigerated company, you can get peace of mind that your goods will translate in the safe condition required for them to arrive at their destination.
