The 5-Minute Pre-Loading Check

A strong year starts with strong cold-chain habits.
At LMC Express, experience has shown that many temperature problems can be avoided before the truck even arrives. One simple step makes a big difference — the 5-minute pre-loading check.

This short check helps protect products, prevent disputes, and keep deliveries running smoothly, especially for SMMEs.

Before goods are collected, it is important to check the following:

Is the product already at the correct storage temperature?
Refrigerated trucks are designed to maintain temperature, not to cool down warm products. If goods are loaded at the wrong temperature, the cold chain is already broken.

Has the product been stabilised for at least 2 to 3 hours?
Products need time to settle at the correct temperature after production or storage. Loading too soon can cause temperature spikes during transport.

Is the packaging intact?
Damaged packaging can expose products to air, moisture, and contamination, increasing the risk of spoilage.

Are cartons sealed and clearly labelled?
Sealed cartons protect the product, while clear labels help prevent handling mistakes and delays at depots and distribution centres.

Is the pallet stable, on the correct pallet, and labelled?
A stable pallet prevents cartons from shifting during transport and reduces the risk of damage or rejection on delivery.

These checks take only five minutes but can save hours of delays, product losses, and unnecessary claims.
For SMMEs, small habits lead to big savings, better delivery performance, and stronger customer relationships.

At LMC Express, protecting the cold chain starts before the journey begins.