If you are an SME or an entrepreneur then one of the many obstacles that you may face will be the transportation of large goods. Whether this is between work sites or delivering goods directly to your customers, this can be a huge and very important part of the operation and one which will require careful thought and consideration.
It is a huge logistical problem with a lot of moving parts to consider, but you must also think about the health and safety side of this process too as it can be dangerous. Fortunately, there are a few different options and what works best for you will depend on your own preference and the operation that you run. Here are a few different ways that you can solve this complicated problem.
Conventional Courier
It is hard to look past arranging a conventional courier as there are so many to choose from and they all (typically) offer a great quality of service. With a conventional courier you know that everything will be delivered on time, but the main drawback of this approach is that it can be pricey and especially if you are hauling large goods.
Large Item Couriers
Instead, you may find it beneficial to arrange large item couriers as they specialize in the transportation of large goods for much more affordable prices. You will want to carefully select your courier as they are not as well-known and you will not be able to shop anything small along with the big items.
DIY
Alternatively, you could transport the goods yourself and this can be a good idea if you will regularly be making trips. In order to do this, you will need to have a large enough van/truck and important equipment like pallets from places like National Pallets and forklift trucks. You will need to put a carefully thought out system in place and also consider health and safety. Manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries so you need to make sure that employees are not lifting too much and using the equipment to lift and transport the goods to the truck. Manual handling risk assessments are easy to carry out and will help you mitigate the risk of injury to your staff.
These are your three main options when it comes to the transportation of heavy items. Some businesses may find it best to arrange outside help as this can take the stress out of the process whilst also ensuring that it is done by professionals, but this can be an expensive approach. Other businesses will prefer to handle the transportation themselves – this can be beneficial if you will be making regular journeys and could be cheaper, but you must carefully consider the logistics and always think about the health and safety of your employees.
If you are an SME or an entrepreneur then one of the many obstacles that you may face will be the transportation of large goods. Whether this is between ....