Perishable Supply Chain Products

My chosen goods are perishable products. These types of products represent those goods whose quality deteriorates due to continued exposure to environmental conditions such as dairy products, meat, and its by-products, as well as vegetables, fruits and flowers, among others (TIBA, 2015). Due to their chemical features, these products have a short lifespan. Besides, they are very susceptible to irreparable and severe damage while on transit, especially when the temperatures are not maintained at a consistent level (TIBA, 2015). As such, these kinds of products require special handling to preserve them and ensure they are in the best state when they reach the end consumer.

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Requirements and Regulations

There is a wide range of requirements and regulations about the handling of perishable goods. As said earlier, perishable goods require special care while handling as they can easily deteriorate in quality. For these goods to reach the consumer in an excellent condition, there are three primary elements to ensure the maintenance of quality. These elements are holding temperature, isolation and time (Yeoh, 2017). During handling, these goods require the maintenance of cool temperatures to prolong their shelf life. Cool temperatures are useful in guaranteeing that the properties of these products are sustained in a manner that ensures they remain usable at all times.

Key features of aircraft vehicles that are a requirement for transportation are the presence of refrigeration, freezers or isothermal mechanisms. The isothermal features a mechanism where there is a limit in the exchange of air between the exterior and interior of the vehicle. The freezer can reduce the interior temperature as well as maintaining it at a constant temperature. Refrigeration allows the reduction of the interior temperature and maintaining it at a certain level too (Yeoh, 2017).

Among the regulations for handling perishable goods is the ATP treaty that sets standards that provide optimal conditions pertaining to the transportation of these goods. This feature offers stakeholders with information regarding perishable goods transportation. It also offers information on the temperature control procedures for the transportation of low life-span foods.

Competitor Analysis

          Some of the well-known logistics companies are the DHL and FedEx which offer international shipping. In consideration of the differences pertaining to the domestic and international shipping charges, DHL offers cheaper same-day delivery services as compared to FedEx. Also, when it comes to international shipping, DHL is still more affordable. However, FedEx has been known to provide faster delivery services.

          The terms and conditions for FedEx are that the company is not liable for the damage of perishable goods. Also, these perishable goods are shipped at the owner’s risk and whether they get damaged regardless of the type of damage (FedEx, 2018). Some of the DHL’s terms and conditions are that DHL accepts the transportation of perishable goods but they are surcharged and at a prior arrangement (DHL, 2017).

Conclusion

Perishable goods require faster delivery services and various companies offer these kinds of shipments. Goods of a shorter shelf life have special handling that facilitates and determine their nature at the end-user or its consumers. As such it is necessary to have transportation means that guarantee a timely-delivery and one that also offers the best possible means of transportation regarding the ideal conditions. For the ideal choice of the logistics company, it is important to look at their terms and conditions. These will help to determine the most suitable logistics company depending on the needs and abilities of the owner.

Among the most important recommendations would be to reduce the cost of transportation of these perishable goods so that there is much ease of conducting businesses. Also, the provision of better terms and conditions for the transportation of these goods is necessary to improve the delivery services. Another recommendation would be to improve on the time taken to deliver them. Since they are perishable, it is important to ensure a timely delivery to the end-user.

References

DHL. (2017, July). DHL Freight Terms & Conditions. Retrieved February 17, 2020, from DHL: https://www.dhl.com/content/dam/downloads/g0/logistics/conditions/20170630_DHL%20Freight%20Terms%20Conditions%20FREIGHT_Global.pdf

FedEx. (2018, June 25). FedEx Service Guide. Retrieved February 17, 2020, from FedEx: https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/ca-canada/MVP/images/2019/Q1/2018_service_guide_en_1485140054.pdf

TIBA. (2015, April 26). Transporting perishable goods. Retrieved February 17, 2020, from Traffic Information Broadcasts by Aircraft: https://www.tibagroup.com/mx/en/transporting-perishable-goods

Yeoh, J. (2017, September 26). The logistics of transporting perishable goods for cold chain management. Retrieved February 17, 2020, from Singapore Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management: https://sipmm.edu.sg/logistics-transporting-perishable-goods-cold-chain-management/