One More New Year's Resolution for 2015

Every year about half of all Americans make New Year's Resolutions. The top 5 resolutions according to Statistic Brain.com are: (1) lose weight, (2) get organized, (3) spend less, save more, (4) enjoy life to the fullest, (5) stay fit and healthy. Do you recognize any of these? The success rate for these resolutions is a whopping 7 percent!

What about a New Year's resolution that could have a success rate of 100% and make a positive economic difference in 2015? The Blue Book has a 15 page section called "Transportation Guidelines," the topics covered include customs, rules and best practices for transporting fresh produce. The resolution that I'm proposing is that these guidelines be part of the training that we all share with our current and new employees. The information will benefit your company and employees regardless of your supply chain responsibility. Take a few moments and review this information. Make it available for your employees.

Shippers, brokers, receivers and carriers have a unique relationship. We work together and form a supply chain that efficiently supplies our country with farm fresh produce from coast to coast. In order to ensure freshness, it is imperative that all the links work together to make each other as strong and efficient as possible.

The topics "Transportation Guidelines" discussed include: contract of carriage, transportation intermediaries, carriers, transit times and temperature, loading the trailer, arrival at destination, claims and good transit time guidelines. This is a summary of potential situations and events that your employees face daily. The suggested best practices are an excellent point of reference when a situation arises. As a broker, shipper, carrier or receiver all of the information is pertinent and will enhance their job performance.

So here is your final resolution for 2015: "My company is going to encourage all of our employees engaged in the transit of perishables, to read the Blue Book "Transportation Guidelines" as a part of their training." To find this information go to bluebookservices.com and then click on the reference guide under Education. There is a lot of information on that page that relates to a variety of subjects, all of which are great reading. "Transportation Guidelines" is a great place to begin.

On behalf of the management and staff of the Allen Lund Company we wish you a prosperous and happy 2015!

Bill Bess, Director of Carrier Development, was previously the manager of the Orlando, FL office, and has been with the Allen Lund Company for 31 years. With 43 years of experience in the transportation of perishable products, Bess' expertise includes perishable supply chain protocol.