For the uninitiated, lumpers and freight handlers are interchangeable terms in the logistics industry. A lumper service is offered by a third-party vendor such as Express Freight Handlers and is hired by operations personnel who oversee warehouses, distribution centers, shipping companies, and retailers to provide loading and unloading of trailers and containers. A lumper service is most often required by those in the grocery, food service, and retail industries. That’s because loading and unloading perishables requires specialized handling methods that Express Freight’s freight handlers are specifically trained to execute quickly, safely, and accurately. Additionally, our teams are OSHA-trained and certified professionals who fully understand the fine details in loading and unloading trailers and containers.
Driver fatigue is an industry hazard that transportation carriers can avoid completely by hiring a lumper service to load or unload a truck or trailer while the driver rests. Freight handlers also move products and goods with caution so as not to damage the cargo nor themselves or others in the process. Express Freight Handlers’ teams are skilled in the use of equipment such as hand trucks, ramps, forklifts, pallet jacks, as well as know when each is the best tool for the task. Knowledge and experience in using the right tools, as well as how to assess a preloaded cargo to ensure the best way to unload, can ensure optimal productivity and efficiency. This reduces delays in an industry where time truly translates into money in terms of cost savings and lower operations costs.
As stated above, in every supply chain, time is money. And time can be lost quickly when a container is unsealed to reveal load shift that occurred in transit. The possibility for damaged or destroyed cargo is high, and when this occurs, Express Freight’s skilled lumper team and their supervisor can quickly assess the situation. Next they will isolate and/or remove damaged freight and/or asset losses, itemize and record these for an insurance claim, and continue working to shore up then unload the remaining cargo with minimal impact to their schedule. The proven strongest link in any supply chain is Express Freight Handlers’ lumper service team!
Yet another way that retailers will benefit from hiring Express Freight for their lumper services, is the convenience of having professionals perform a task that is not part of their daily operations protocol. Some retailers hire unskilled day labor or divert existing staffers from their daily routines. These actions may seem cost-effective on the surface but can quickly prove otherwise. Unskilled labor as well as untrained workers are at a much higher risk for personal injury, which can result in a liability lawsuit. OSHA-trained and certified in the latest safety techniques, Express Freight Handlers’ teams are highly experienced and unlikely to injure themselves or cause injury to others. Additionally, when staffers are expected to perform lumper duties, their assigned tasks are neglected which creates decreased productivity, higher operating costs, and increased overhead.
There are considerably greater benefits to hiring Express Freight Handlers to perform lumper services as needed. Contact our team to discuss your requirements and to learn more about how a partnership with Express Freight Handlers can grow your business to the next level. Call today!
