The process of removing cargo from a sealed container or trailer and preparing it for its next transportation stage is known in the Logistics industry as “devanning”. Other names for this service include unstuffing, stripping, or unloading. Especially for imported goods, devanning is a pivotal step in a distribution chain. Most devanning tasks are performed manually with Full Container Loads (FCL) devanned at a warehouse. Shipments that are Less Than a Full Container Load (LCL) are generally devanned at a Container Freight Station (CFS). Since this process is a critical link in any supply chain, it is important to have professionals perform the task. In this posting, Express Freight Handlers, whose teams successfully unload over a million containers and trailers every year nationally, further defines the role our devanning services perform specifically for eCommerce businesses to assist them to control their overhead costs.
eCommerce businesses face different challenges than brick-and-mortar retailers. To retain customers, finished goods must be delivered on time, therefore, their inventory levels must be optimal, stockouts eliminated, and shipped customer orders delivered when promised. During the pandemic, consumers’ delivery expectations were heightened when major online retailers promised one- and two-day deliveries to consumers’ doorsteps. Therefore, for small to mid-size eTailers, it became and remains imperative to establish a solid supply chain strategy to set a solid foundation for both their consumers’ satisfaction and their own future growth.
In the sometimes lengthy eCommerce supply chain sequence, it is most important for logistics management to improve their inbound and outbound logistics strategy by partnering with Express Freight Handlers as your dependable, experienced, third party vendor providing your devanning services as needed. Freight loading and unloading times, particularly as it pertains to moving cargo from one mode of transport to another, are Key Performance Metrics (KPIs). As these are not daily tasks, many warehouse and logistics managers entrust this task to day laborers or staffers diverted from their regular assignments. This is neither a sound practice nor cost-effective. Day laborers are inexperienced, slower, and more injury prone than experienced lumpers. Likewise, existing employees who could be injured and submit a liability claim. At best, while taken from their usual roles to perform devanning, your company’s productivity is negatively impacted.
Instead, Express Freight Handlers will deploy a seasoned, OSHA-trained and certified, professional team with a supervisor. Your required metrics will be scrupulously adhered to as our teams performed the assigned task. When complete and approved by your Logistics overseers, upon request we will present a customized report, then depart until our skillset is again required. This is a cost-effective means of performing devanning jobs as needed, and eliminates potential liability and Workers’ Comp claims as well. Express Freight Handlers invite you to contact our team with your questions. We will be glad to demonstrate why a partnership with our firm will improve your supply chain linkage and, likely, increase your ROI. Call today!
