In the food and beverage industry, it's essential to keep products at the right temperature to maintain quality and taste. While refrigerated trucks are crucial to this process, they can break down or malfunction, putting your product at risk of spoilage or loss.

If you want to transport cold items safely from your manufacturing facility to your distribution center or retail outlet, it’s important to choose a reliable cold chain logistics company that knows how to manage these temperature-sensitive shipments. Here are seven things you should consider when choosing such a cold chain logistics company.

1) The Temperatures You Will Be Transporting

There are many different types of products that need to be transported and stored at varying temperatures.

This will have an impact on what kind of shipping container you will need and how you'll be able to monitor and control internal temperatures. Do your homework on all parts of your product supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and customers.

2) The Products You Want To Transport

Before you even think about hiring a cold supply chain company in India, you’ll need to know what you want to move.

One of three things will apply to your situation: You have perishable goods and don't want them to go bad, you have non-perishable goods that must remain at certain temperatures to work properly, or you just want an extra layer of protection against theft and damage.

3) How Long Are You Willing to Wait Before Receiving the Goods

When looking for reliable cold chain companies in India, it's important to understand how quickly you need your shipment to arrive. Each provider has its time frame, so it's important to consider yours and choose accordingly.

In some cases, waiting just an extra week might not be feasible—especially if you run an e-commerce company. Other cold supply chain companies in India, however, may allow you to wait up to six weeks or more. Your level of urgency will influence your choice.

4) What Is The Real Delivery Time?

There is no 'one size fits all when it comes to delivery, so you want to choose a logistics company that can cater to your specific needs. Ask about their general delivery times as well as their urgent and expedited delivery times, which should be available for an additional fee.

If you live in a rural area, also inquire about how your products are delivered and how far they will travel. Many logistics companies will charge extra for deliveries outside of urban areas or along remote roadways.

5) Do They Have Facilities That Can Handle All Types of Goods?

Because of their sensitive nature, food products should be handled and stored properly. A top-notch cold chain logistics company will have facilities that can handle all types of goods, including perishables. Keep in mind that items like beverages, dairy products, and perishable meats are more challenging to transport due to their sensitivity to extreme temperatures.

An expert cold chain logistics company will understand these challenges and have solutions for them in place.

6) Do They Provide Insured Services?

You should ask your potential logistics provider about their insurance policy. If you're moving temperature-sensitive goods, your shipping provider must be insured against damage or theft.

Any reputable company will offer these services as part of their package, and there's no reason to be hesitant in asking about them. Shipping can be a risky business; don't leave yourself vulnerable to high costs just because you didn't ask enough questions.

7) Can They Provide Specific Transit Requirements?

There is no one-size-fits-all transit service. What works for one shipping company might not work for another. Before you begin your search, ask your potential cold chain logistics provider about their specific transit requirements.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to determine which cold chain logistics company will be the best option for your business, especially if you don’t have any prior experience working with logistics companies in the past. To help you make your decision, consider these seven things before choosing a reliable cold chain logistics company to work with on your next project

When it comes to choosing a reliable supply chain company in India, it can be challenging to find the right fit, particularly if you’re not sure what to look for in your partner. You want to select an organization that has plenty of experience handling shipments at appropriate temperatures, of course, but that’s only the beginning of what you should consider before signing on with a company.