How Smart Suppliers Cut Delivery Costs by Up to 50%

For many SMME suppliers, delivering products to retailer distribution centres can be expensive and complicated. However, there are simple ways to make deliveries more efficient while still following retailer requirements.

Two of the most important areas suppliers should focus on are PO consolidation and correct labelling.

Consolidating Multiple Purchase Orders

Many small suppliers believe that each Purchase Order (PO) must be shipped separately. This often leads to multiple small shipments, which increases transport costs.

In reality, suppliers can often place multiple POs on one pallet. When done correctly, this method can save money and improve delivery efficiency.

Once the pallet arrives at the distribution centre, the logistics team can de-stack and sort the products according to the different purchase orders. This ensures that each order is processed correctly while still allowing suppliers to reduce transport costs.

For many SMMEs, this simple strategy can make a big difference in managing delivery expenses.

Correct Labelling Is Essential

Another common cause of delays at distribution centres is incorrect or missing pallet labels.

Every pallet should include the correct LMC Express pallet label, which contains important information such as:

• Booking number
• Receiver name
• Service type
• Number of pallets
• Required temperature

Without proper labels, the distribution centre may struggle to identify the shipment, which can delay the receiving process.

In simple terms, a pallet without a label is difficult to process. Clear and accurate labelling helps ensure that deliveries are received quickly and without confusion.

Preparation Makes Deliveries Easier

When suppliers combine orders correctly and use proper labels, they can reduce delays, avoid mistakes, and keep their deliveries running smoothly.

For SMME suppliers, these small improvements can lead to lower transport costs, faster receiving times, and fewer problems at distribution centres.