When arranging transport for liquid foodstuffs, it might seem that simply having a good quote that keeps the cost per kilometre as low as possible should be enough, but it is worth bearing in mind various factors that come into play and which may mean that the decision on which provider to choose is not quite so straightforward.
Asking this question in an age where brands sell and resell products and services is of vital importance. Will the company I contract actually be the one providing the service, or is it merely a front that charters lorries as and when required? There are companies with a strong customer acquisition network and highly specialised marketing strategies which, however, lack the experience or their own resources to carry out the work. In the most extreme cases, they do not even hold the necessary certifications and permits for the transport of liquid foodstuffs.
Therefore, the first thing we must do is ensure that the company we are hiring is the one that will actually carry out the service. At Rios Sangiao, we have a fleet of over 80 lorries fitted with isothermal tankers, all with the necessary authorisations and certifications to transport liquids intended for human consumption.
A lack of experience can sometimes lead to mistakes or sub-optimal decisions when dealing with setbacks. It has happened to all of us at some point, but at Rios Sangiao we have been providing transport services for milk, cream, oil, wine, drinking water, etc. for over 40 years, and thanks to our geographical location, we transport huge quantities of milk from Galician farms to processing plants. That’s a long time, and all this experience has enabled us to refine our processes, establish protocols and improve efficiency. We know exactly what we’re doing.
Every food product has its own characteristics and transport requirements. Transporting raw milk is completely different from transporting pasteurised milk, let alone olive oil or glucose.
Our isothermal tankers are designated for the long-term transport of specific foodstuffs, and any changes are made only with the customer’s prior agreement and in compliance with the specific washing procedures required when switching foodstuffs, for which we provide cleaning certificates detailing the products used and the traceability of the process.
A 20-year-old tractor unit is not as reliable as a 3-year-old one. From this point onwards, problems can arise at any time, and this inevitably results in deliveries failing to meet deadlines. Our fleet has an average age of 5 years, and we are constantly renewing both the tractor units and the tanker trailers.
Furthermore, it is not just a question of reliability, but also of cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Every lorry we purchase is fitted with a more efficient engine and has lower fuel consumption, making routes more efficient and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As we saw at the start, when contracting the transport of liquid foodstuffs, price is just one factor – but it is certainly not the most important one, given that there is little point in saving on transport costs if the factory then has to stand idle waiting for the product to arrive, or if we end up with excess stock because we cannot move it out in time. Not to mention if the goods fail to arrive in time to catch a ship or enter the distribution chain.
At Rios Sangiao, we have a on-time delivery rate of over 94 per cent. And by ‘on time’, we mean arriving at the agreed time – neither earlier nor later. That’s how the supply chain works.
Food production is highly time-sensitive and process-driven, which is why the food liquid transport company’s commitment to quality must be on a par with your product.
This has been the work of Sr. Concejo
