What Food Manufacturing Companies Should Look for in a Warehouse Partner

Food manufacturing companies and distribution industries, must have access to a reliable warehouse partner to store their products. Food warehousing facilities not only provide storage, handling, and distribution services for food products and ingredients but also ensure that these items are kept safe, secure, and in optimal condition until they are ready to be sent to customers. 

These products come with high standards for storage requirement. Because of this, there is a lot that must go into the proper storage and delivery of such items.

Key Factors Food Manufacturing Companies Should Consider for a Warehouse Partner

If you are a food manufacturing company looking for a warehouse partner there are several essential factors worth considering.  

In addition to considering the standard storage of any kind of product, you must also factor in certain other details. Details that specifically relate to the unique storage requirements of your food products. These include the following:

• Location

When it comes to the supply chain of food handling and storage, the location of your warehouse is incredibly important. This is especially true when you are dealing with foods that have strict storage requirements.

The proximity between your warehouse and the final destination of your food products can significantly impact their life cycle. 

In addition, long-distance transportation is more costly. For these reasons, it is always best to partner with a warehouse that is in a relatively central location.

• Storage capacity

Another crucial aspect to consider is the storage capacity of the warehouse. Ensure it has ample space to store all your products adequately.

As you review a warehouse’s storage capacity, consider your requirements. Both peak and non-peak times of the year if your product demand fluctuates. Speak with the warehouse manager about their current occupancy and their ability to handle shifts in demand.

• Facility management

There are many factors to consider when storing and shipping food products. Thus, it is important to partner with a well-managed facility that can handle the organizational requirements and meet your deadlines. 

Your company will also benefit if your warehouse partner can manage your products efficiently and effectively. 

• Temperature and humidity control

It is common to have differences in storage requirements from one food product to the next. This is why it is crucial to find a warehouse equipped to handle the specific needs of your products. One of the best ways to determine this is to inquire about their existing means of temperature and humidity control. 

• Facility condition

It can also help to visit any warehouses you plan to partner with to see the physical condition of the space. 

It is essential that food-grade warehouses are clean and well-maintained. They must maintain consistent sanitation levels and pest control to prevent hazardous material infection. 

Ask about the frequency of these, and inquire other measures used to maintain cleanliness and minimize pest infestations.

• Regulatory compliance and certifications

Food-grade warehouses are subject to many strict regulations and standards.

Therefore, when searching for a warehouse to partner, ensure they follow all the relevant regulations and standards, such as:

• The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Some examples of certificates that you may want to inquire about include Safe Quality Food (SQF) and ISO 9001 certification.

Why Wills Transfer Limited Is the Perfect Warehouse Partner for Food Manufacturing Companies

If you are looking for a warehouse partner that can meet all your requirements, Wills Transfer can provide exactly that.

Thanks to our advanced warehousing management system, which allows us to exceed industry standards to ensure your inventory is always up-to-date, reliable, and accessible. And our top-quality refrigerated storage facilities are equipped to properly store and manage food products of all types and quantities. 

How? By storing them at the necessary temperatures and handling them carefully at all times. 

Our warehouses feature mechanical fridges that are capable of maintaining an air temperature below 40°F (4.4°C). These refrigeration units are monitored through our security system and temperature tracking via thermographic data. 

We have the knowledge and professionalism to maintain high storage standards when handling your products. Additionally, we are SQF certified. This signifies that our methods of food storage adhere to the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards and are grounded in HACCP principles.

We are committed to providing top-notch storage to all of our clients and offer a wide range of logistics, fulfillment, and distribution services that you can take advantage of when you partner with us. 

For more information about our warehousing management system or to learn more about the various warehousing services we have to offer, call Wills Transfer Limited at 613-704-7549 or contact us here.