While less talked about than last-mile logistics, first-mile shipping logistics is equally important in a supply chain. A supply chain is a complex network of components working together to get goods to the final destination. This may include all the steps to make raw materials into products and deliver them to a market. The transportation process can be broken down into stages: first-mile, middle-mile, and last-mile. This article will introduce the logistics of the first mile and explain what may go wrong during this stage. While there are different methods of conveyance in a supply chain, the first mile mainly deals with trucking.
What Can Go Wrong During First-Mile Shipping Logistics
First-mile shipping transports goods from a starting place to the following supply chain location. This site can be a manufacturing center, storage facility, or typically a warehouse. An important consideration before the carrier ships out the cargo is the packaging. Improper packaging can damage the items in transit, resulting in monetary loss. A part of the packing is the labeling, which must be accurate to ensure proper shipping and handling. For example, hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries should have the correct hazmat label on the box. When the shipment is ready, loaders load it into a truck before shipping it to the next destination.
After the goods leave the origin facility, a truck may transfer them to a fulfillment center or a port for shipping. The location depends on the supply chain’s end goal and can also include the retail place for selling. In e-commerce, the first mile entails moving goods from a warehouse to a courier for shipping to a customer’s home. During the delivery process, various parts can go wrong. An issue that may arise in the first mile is a lack of visibility compared to other supply chain components. This is notably a problem when congestion causes costly shipping delays. Incorrect documentation and packaging can also delay a supply chain’s later parts.
What Happens Next
In a supply chain, first-mile shipping is the first part of the logistics process. As previously mentioned in the article, the end goal of the supply chain determines the next part. When a shipper requires international cargo shipping, the next step could be shipping from a port after a drayage delivery. Drayage is freight movement over short distances by truck, typically between different means of transportation. Drayage can also include moving containers from business to business, business to port, port to port, etc. The first-mile logistics must go smoothly to ensure the success of the rest of the supply chain.
Despite the first mile being one of the determinates of a successful supply chain, getting started may not be straightforward. Finding a quality carrier to move goods domestically can be especially difficult for beginning shippers. An ideal way to begin is to find a freight broker to arrange your transportation process. This allows you to focus on other parts and grow your supply chain. Contact A1 Freight Solutions at 786-375-9420 or info@a1fsinc.com to get started on your transportation journey. Whether it’s first-mile, middle-mile, or last-mile shipping logistics, we guide you through the journey.