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The Many Advantages of Freight Consolidation in St. Paul, MN

Freight consolidation is a useful tool for shippers interested in saving money and time. While it might seem strange to lump your items in with others, especially if you’re looking to ship items swiftly, freight consolidation offers a number of benefits to shippers and warehouses in and around the St. Paul, MN area.

 

Here’s a brief breakdown of a few major advantages of consolidation and how your business can benefit:

  • Opportunity to Take Advantage of a Dedicated Fleet: Many businesses and warehouses that consolidate shipments work with a dedicated fleet of shippers. This ensures products can move on a regular schedule without having to spend an excess amount of money on vast trucking networks. As a result, consolidating shipments can help the environment by tightening supply chains and reducing transport times.
  • A Seamless Tracking Experience: Consolidated shipments reduce the number of packages being shipped. This helps your business keep track of items and their locations, making it easier to ensure items arrive to their final destinations. Additionally, warehouses that consolidate shipments are often able to move items faster.
  • Reduces Risk: Consolidated shipments inherently cut down on the risk of packages being lost or damaged because there’s less opportunity for issues since items are not being unpacked and then re-packed. Additionally, consolidated shipments open opportunities to partner with other businesses in the same sphere. This shared collaboration means there are more eyes on items and less of a chance they’ll be handled haphazardly.
  • A Variety of Service Options: Freight consolidation opens a plethora of shipping options. Traditional shipping companies might have just one type of focus, but consolidating items can lead to multi-mode transportation scenarios where items can be moved by air, land, or sea. Each have their pros and cons, but all shipping methods can be utilized to ensure items reach their final destinations on time and in a cost-effective manner.

One of our goals at Strategic Warehousing is to save you time and money. One of the best ways to do so is to take advantage of our comprehensive freight consolidation service in the St. Paul, MN area.

We’ll be happy to work with you and explain the different types of consolidation options and how consolidating can help protect the environment, reduce waste, and get your products moving faster.

Explore our website if you’re interested in learning more, and feel free to fill out our online contact form with any questions.

 

 

Important Factors when Considering a Distribution Warehouse

Efficient and well-organized distribution warehouses are strong options for those interested in saving money on shipping and logistics costs.

The location of Strategic Warehousing, near major interstate systems in the Midwest, gives clients major business advantages in shortening lead times and transporting inventory.

There are a few key factors to keep in mind when considering a distribution warehouse in Minneapolis, MN.

 

  • Storage: It’s important to have a firm grasp on what a distribution warehouse can actually store. The ability to store a variety of goods helps businesses quickly move products through warehouses since they have the proper support. Warehouses that are able to store a variety of goods will also have a staff that understands how to handle and move items properly. Skilled staff goes a long way toward ensuring items are moved out of the distribution warehouses to final destinations.
  • Location: Distribution warehouses should be geographically well placed to help facilitate the seamless transfer of products. Ideally, a warehouse would be located near strategic trucking lines, railroads, or near major highways so products can get on the move quickly. Strategic Warehousing facilities are located at key transportation junctures in the Midwest to make sure items move out of our warehouse and onto the road in a cost-efficient manner. We understand how important cost savings are to freight and LTL shippers.
  • Technological Capabilities: Distribution warehouses should be equipped with technology that ensures items are quickly scanned, labeled, and tracked as they move through the warehouse. Old or outdated scanning systems hurt logistics and can lead to delays with ingoing and outgoing shipments. Time is money, so items that don’t move on time hurt a business’s bottom line. At Strategic Warehousing, our team is equipped with RF barcode scanning technology to efficiently manage inventory. The technology is fool-proof and makes fulfillment a breeze since categorized items are easily able to be searched in real time.

 

The right distribution warehouse can make all the difference for a business. The ability to store products, manage items in real time, and consolidate freight shipments helps to save time, money, and benefit the environment.

At Strategic Warehousing, we offer a variety of customer-centric services that are designed to ensure swift warehousing and management of inventory. Customers feel at ease through our real-time data management dashboard that provides updates on inventory and shipments.

 

Give us a call at (651) 405-1920 if you’re ready to work with the top distribution warehouse in the Minneapolis, MN, area.

Freight Consolidation Helps Streamline Warehouse Logistics in St. Paul, MN

What happens when you have a product that is ready to be mailed for delivery but does not meet the volume requirements for a full truckload? Usually, it means spending more money to ship items on time separately and without a full load.

 

The Strategic Warehousing team understands how important it is for clients to save time and money. Comprehensive freight consolidation services in St. Paul, MN, provide opportunities to eliminate shipping waste and reduce transportation and mailing bills, all while ensuring products arrive to their destination on time.

 

At Strategic Warehousing, we are careful to ensure packages are wrapped properly before being consolidated with other shipments. Our cross-docking system maximizes space while keeping shipments moving throughout our warehouse to reach their final destinations on time.

 

Effective freight consolidation provides a number of benefits. Consolidated loads pass through fewer hands as they travel to final destinations. This helps mitigate the risk of damage or other potential issues as packages are moved across multiple trucks.

 

Consolidated freight often reaches its destination quickly because there are usually no stop-offs as the items move. Items that share rides with other products help promote environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions.

 

Strategic Warehousing works to make the consolidation process simple. Instead of complex algorithms and confusing metrics, we rely on our technology to craft simple pricing schemes and efficient packing metrics to ensure shipments are cost-effective and reach their destinations.

 

Consolidation services are also able to be combined with a variety of our other services. Let us safely store items with our flexible system that makes it easy to ramp up or scale back volume and square footage as your business changes.

 

Our real-time inventory control system gives our technicians the ability to design cost-effective fulfillment programs for inventories large and small.

 

Looking for some advice about fulfillment, shipping, or storage? Let one of our specialists help. We also offer strategic consulting services via customized packages that ensure questions get answered by a professional in the field. We are happy to collaborate with virtually any business across a wide range of industries.

 

Interested in keeping your items moving through professional and effective freight consolidation services in and around the St. Paul, MN, area? Strategic Warehousing is here to help. Our team is happy to speak with a business to come up with a consolidation plan that maximizes time and money.

 

Also, clients have the ability to check on inventory and shipping details through a secure customer dashboard. Give us a call at (651) 405-1920 to learn more.

The Many Advantages of Utilizing EDI Capabilities in Minneapolis, MN

An effective supply chain and electronic data interchange (EDI) go hand in hand. Companies that take advantage of EDI capabilities in Minneapolis, MN, provided by Strategic Warehousing maintain the ability for streamlined communications with partners, vendors, suppliers, and customers.

True EDI capabilities include the ability to send and receive documents like HIPPA, X12, Tradcoms, and EDIFACT, while providing a set of concrete governance, management, and onboarding processes.

Companies looking to take advantage of EDI capabilities have the choice of working in-house or outsourcing. While it might be tempting to try and maintain in-house EDI, doing so can be tricky.

In-house EDI requires extensive software and hardware, and enough available IT resources and support to work through issues and maintain capabilities. Companies that work with in-house EDI also must strategize to try and determine the best way to onboard and update trading partners.

Working with Strategic Warehousing for outsourced EDI is a more simple and effective solution for a few important reasons.

 

  • Comprehensive Management: As Minnesota and the Midwest’s leading warehouse provider, Strategic Warehousing has years of experience managing and performing EDI-related processes for companies. Businesses can rest assured that the hardware and management are the focus of professionals who are vetted and experienced.
  • Opens Up Other Opportunities: In-house staff who and IT departments that do not have to focus on EDI can devote work to other projects for the business. This ability helps a company optimize its resources and devote valuable tech knowledge to in-house systems. Strategic Warehousing also devises plans to onboard and train partners, and to migrate old solutions to newer alternatives.

In addition, organizations that are EDI capable stand to reap significant advantages. A standardized communication system equates to reduced transaction costs through digitization and predictable workflows. Both of these advantages also help speed up processing times.

EDI solutions can also integrate with ERP systems to ensure transferred data is accurate. Manual relay into order systems without EDI capabilities opens up the door for errors and other issues.

Efficiency is an important KPI for any business—especially as packages, documents, and shipments are moving to be delivered in a safe and expedient manner—and EDI capabilities help with this.

Finally, EDI solutions offer businesses secure archive tracking and audit trails that comply with industry standards and the operating procedures of many businesses.

 
Global business and the interconnectedness of companies in the modern world means a lack of EDI capabilities renders an organization as not ready for business. To take advantage of effective and professional EDI capabilities in Minneapolis MN, reach out to Strategic Warehousing to learn more about how we can serve your company.

 

Give us a call at (651) 405-1920 to work with Strategic Warehousing.

Why the RF Scanner is Still the Most Useful Shipment Tracking Tool in St. Paul, MN

Shipment tracking through various warehouses can be a tricky endeavor if a company isn’t equipped with the right tools. A high volume of packages and inventory can quickly become out of control if items are not processed and logged efficiently.
 

At Strategic Warehousing, we understand the importance of getting your freight and cargo processed quickly so you know where your items are as they travel. Our team takes advantage of the radio frequency (RF) scanner for shipment tracking in and around the St. Paul, MN area to ensure incoming and outgoing items are properly accounted for.

Here’s two reasons why the RF scanner is the most useful and effective way to track shipments:

  • Extremely Accurate: The digital RF scanner gives a warehouse staffer instant access to the product database to ensure the item that was just scanned is accounted for in the central computer system. The ability to scan also gives customers updates about where their product is located as it travels. This provides peace of mind and gives a warehouse the ability to instantly pinpoint issues and inaccuracies so orders can be filled properly.
  • Fosters Efficiency: Employees who are equipped with RF scanners ensure all actions are on record to make sure inventory is accurate. If there’s an issue, the employee will be able to tell where the problem is and can complete cycle-counts to fix the issue. Warehouse employees who have access to a wide variety of information through their scanners are able to take more accountability for their work and operate so products and freight pass through without any issues.

Our team takes advantage of RF barcode scanning to help manage shipments and to give customers updates about inventory and project needs. We offer custom-tailored pick and pack fulfillment, inventory management, and warehousing for a variety of products that are processed with the RF scanner. If you’re interested in saving money while moving large amounts of freight or cargo, we provide consolidation services that reduce shipping waste and saves your business valuable time.

 

Our experienced team is ready to consult with your company to answer questions and explain the various flexible and cost-efficient warehousing options we provide. If you’re looking for efficient and professional warehousing, shipment tracking, and other logistical services in the St. Paul, MN, area, give Strategic Warehousing a call today at (651) 405-1920.

Make Your Life Easier with Expert Inventory Management Services in Minneapolis, MN

It can be tough to keep track of all that you have in your inventory. From computers to forklifts, warehousing can increasingly become a hassle with every new item.

 

With everyday tasks constantly on their radar, it’s not uncommon for business owners to put inventory management low on their priority lists. With a simple call you can leave it in the capable and confident hands of Strategic Warehousing in Minneapolis, MN.

 

We offer a multitude of services that will help streamline your inventory fulfillment and ensure your concentration stays on what happens in the office, not in the warehouse.

 

Are you hosting an event in your building or planning to transport office equipment? Leave it to us! Strategic Warehousing has the warehousing and logistics expertise necessary for making inventory management a breeze.

 

Our knowledgeable staff members are well versed in web fulfillment, parcel shipment, and more. We’re ready to tackle whatever you need, ranging from changing distribution centers to simple day-to-day inventory.

 

We use RF barcode scanning for easy, no-hassle management of incoming and outgoing inventory and shipments. We also give you the ability to log into our customer data dashboard remotely for an instant overview of your fulfillment logistics.

 

At Strategic Warehousing, we’re proud to practice Smart Storage – an inventory management system offering ultimate flexibility and saving money. Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to our 24/7 warehousing. Depending on your business needs, we can increase or cut square footage and volume allocations to simplify your warehouse management.

 

Not in need of a full warehousing overhaul but seeking a little guidance? We’re here to help. We offer strategic consulting from experts who will walk you through just what you need for inventory fulfillment.

 

Whether you just need that little push from a conversation with our experts or a hand in maintaining your warehouse management, we’re here for you at (651) 405-1920. Call now for a consultation that can help get you on your way of achieving your business goals and logistical needs in Minneapolis, MN.

What If Warehouse Management Were More Than Managing A Big Box in St. Paul?

You don’t get to be Minnesota’s and the Midwest’s leading warehouse management and warehousing provider by concentrating on size alone. It’s how you manage a warehouse, and at Strategic Warehousing, we’re always looking for a better way in St. Paul and with our partners across the country.

 

At Strategic, better warehouse management starts by listening to you. We want to know what you want to achieve and to discuss your goals. It allows our team of specialists to build a custom plan for your logistics needs that complements your business’s future.

 

Maybe you just need storage space, or maybe your need for warehouse management includes food-grade storage and real time inventory control. We can do all of those things and more while protecting the safety of your cargo.

 

Sometimes better warehouse management means a client has an assignment that requires a lot of special attention. As an example, we’ve included a testimonial from a satisfied customer who needed some extra assistance in the St. Paul area:

 

Client Problem: An industry-leading and upscale producer of natural cleaning products needed a reliable, flexible national distribution operation for their growing business. Subject to seasonal retail spikes and line extensions, maximum flexibility and scalability were primary goals.

Strategic Solution: Strategic Warehousing engineered a sophisticated pick-and-pack operation able to efficiently manage the selection, careful packing, and efficient shipping of many different brand product items. The operation was located in a 78,000 square feet space and designed for maximum efficiency. To this date, happy consumers have no knowledge that this client outsources their distribution to a national partner.

 

The above example is just one of the reasons Strategic has been a key player in warehouse management in St. Paul and around the country for 30 years. Our many services and emphasis on logistics could very well be the crucial edge your business is looking for.

 

It’s why Strategic Warehousing is St. Paul and the area’s leading warehouse storage provider. From food to cleaning products, we’re where you need us to be with the services you want. Contact us today at (651) 405-1920 to learn how warehouse management is a winning strategy.

There’s Nothing More Vital Than Excellent Food Grade Storage in Minneapolis, MN

In this age of e-commerce, consumers are more likely to expect to find a product at a local store or be able to get it in a matter of days. It’s creating even greater challenges for those who need food grade storage in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.

 

Strategic Warehousing of Minneapolis knows it’s not enough to offer space for food grade storage. Acting as a vital link between farmer’s fields, food processors, and retailers is far more complicated than stacking items on a pallet. It’s also about preventing the spread of food-borne disease and illness.

 

We take this job as seriously as any Strategic Warehousing service we offer. From dry storage to temperature-controlled space, our duty is to protect your product stored within by maintaining top-notch sanitation and health standards for food grade storage.

 

We also feature RF barcode scanning for easy, quick management of in and out-going inventory and shipments. Our smart storage technology warehouse management system is the best weapon against error. If the unthinkable should happen and a recall of a particular shipment or lot is necessary, we have the tracking tools to quickly identify and isolate that particular problem. It’s one of the many ways that Strategic Warehousing is both looking out for consumer safety and guarding your company’s reputation.

 

For more than 30 years, Strategic Warehousing has provided storage and logistics services to many of the Minneapolis area’s leading businesses. We specialize in everything from food grade storage to engineering. Our many locations feature everything from warehouse space to complex pick-and-pack fulfillment lines in our portfolio of buildings. Our specialists are ready to talk to you about the space and services right for your business.

 

It’s why Strategic Warehousing is Minneapolis and the Midwest’s leading warehouse storage provider. It’s not just about food grade storage; we’re where you need us to be with the services you require. Contact us today at (651) 405-1920 to learn how we handle food grade storage and just about everything else.

Is Your Inventory Management Keeping Up with Retail Demand in Minneapolis, MN?

If there ever were a stress test for inventory management, it would be the holiday shopping season. But with the warmer retail months around the corner, you might not get much of a break if you’re in Minneapolis, MN, and dealing with the growing demands of e-commerce.

Strategic Warehousing of Minneapolis knows that handling inventory management can be like serving a two-headed monster these days. If you’re a traditional brick and mortar retailer and also handle e-commerce orders, it’s much like having two inventories and attempting to do different things, equally well.

Inventory Management with Strategic Warehousing

One of the crucial factors for success is the location of your distribution center. If it’s carefully placed, it can serve the needs of traditional retail locations and be convenient for shipments that will be moving by mail, or other carriers.

Location is something that Strategic Warehousing doesn’t worry much about in the Twin-Cities area. We have thousands of feet of storage space conveniently located in the metro area. It is room for your inventory that can be scaled up and down if needed to fit current demand.

Need help keeping track of SKUs and where those packages are going to? We offer you the control of real-time data; it’s a powerful way to get a handle on your inventory management. Got special needs? Maybe there’s a need for a pick-n-pack operation at the distribution center before the goods are delivered; we can get it done. Maybe you need 3PL provider services. Whatever you need, Strategic Warehousing is ready with a solution.

You can speak with our specialists today and learn about our customized solutions for inventory management. That expertise also extends equally to delivery and returns. We partner with Strategic Transportation and offer several delivery options depending on your needs.

It’s why Strategic Warehousing is Minneapolis and the Midwest’s leading warehouse and logistics planning provider. It’s not just about inventory management; we’re also where you need us to be. You’ll find our personalized and responsive service sets us apart as well. Contact us today at (651) 405-1920 to learn how we handle nearly everything from food, to bulk, packaged storage and more.

 

Reducing Costs by Having Warehousing Where You Need Us Most in Minneapolis, MN

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before; the key to success in business is location, location, location. There’s a lot of truth to that old cliché, and it applies to warehousing in Minneapolis, MN and the greater Twin Cities area.

 

It means even more in the world of e-commerce because strategically located warehouses will reduce overall delivery costs. Strategic Warehousing knows it pays to be ready to store product for its customers in key locations around the country. The ultimate goal is to be able to deliver the goods faster and less expensively in a timely and efficient manner.

 

Where have you heard of this before? Chances are you’re aware of a company whose name starts with an A and ends with an N that gets great shipping rates due to its massive volume and ability to deliver most orders within one shipping zone.

 

It makes Strategic Warehousing sense to be in a high-volume location if you want to drive down shipping costs. Not every business can boost their volume to get a bigger discount or go with a slower service. The other alternative is to shorten how far the product has to travel to reach the final customer.

 

If you need 3PL provider services, Strategic Warehousing is ready to offer a solution as well. We invite you to sit down with one of our specialists today and learn about our customized solutions for any business and any industry.

 

It’s why Strategic Warehousing is the leading warehouse and logistics planning provider for Minneapolis and the Midwest. It’s not just about location, even though we’re where you need us to be. Our personalized and responsive service sets us apart as well. Contact us today at (651) 405-1920 to learn how we handle nearly everything from food to bulk and packaged storage.