Every stage of the supply chain logistics process plays an important role. If your business is in need of first mile pickup or final mile delivery services, you need to understand the supply chain delivery phases overall, as well as how each delivery step differs from the others.
Learn more about the stages below so you can make an informed decision for your company.
Pickup and Delivery Phases in the Supply Chain
There are two main phases in the supply chain — first mile and final mile. These stages are linked to create the overall delivery process, from beginning to end. Shipping any product or material in the supply chain starts with the first mile and finishes at the final mile. After items are packaged and picked up in the first stage, they move through the supply chain and are delivered to the customer in the final delivery phase.
Depending on your industry, the delivery phases may involve different tasks. For example, the first mile for a furniture manufacturing company might involve loading finished desks onto trucks at their factory. During the final mile, those desks would be unloaded and set up at a furniture store for sale.
At an e-commerce company, the process would start with picking and packaging individual orders and end with those orders being dropped off at customer delivery points.
Both share the same goal of taking the first step to get commodities to their final destinations. The same is true for final mile delivery. Whether goods are being delivered and set up at retailers or customers’ houses, the goal is to complete the overall delivery process.
Knowing how and when the delivery phases happen can help you create a more streamlined supply chain.
What Is First Mile Delivery?
Think of first mile delivery as the pickup phase at the beginning of the supply chain. This stage sets the tone for the rest of the process.
It begins with gathering and packaging the items to be shipped. The specifics vary by industry, but first mile delivery always involves preparing goods for transportation, whether you are shipping high-value electronics or retail displays.
Common first mile tasks include:
- Packaging and labeling.
- Coordinating pickup with transportation providers.
- Loading goods.
- Creating initial shipping documentation.
This phase is critical, as any mistakes here can cascade throughout the rest of the supply chain. For example, picking the wrong items can lead to expensive, time-consuming returns later on. To minimize errors, prioritize efficiency and accuracy with effective project management, and maintain clear, detailed records of goods that you can reference throughout the subsequent phases.
Understanding Final Mile Delivery
What is last mile delivery, also known as final mile delivery? As the last stage in the supply chain logistics process, final mile delivery involves getting goods to their end destination, whether that is a retail store or a customer’s home.
After the goods are delivered to a distribution hub, they are sorted, loaded onto delivery vehicles and taken to the desired delivery location. That last step is final mile logistics.
This process usually involves specific steps, such as:
- Organizing local transportation.
- Scheduling delivery windows with the end customer.
- Completing inside delivery or white-glove service.
- Installing or setting up products.
- Providing proof of delivery.
Unlike first mile delivery, final mile delivery is highly individualized and customer-facing. It is a fragmented process that plays a significant role in customer satisfaction. If any mishaps happen, it directly impacts the customer experience and can negatively affect a business’s reputation. At the same time, a professional, timely and positive delivery can make customers loyal for years to come.
As a result, you want to create the most seamless final mile delivery process possible — the right partner is necessary to help you deliver packages as expected in a timely manner.
Common Challenges Across Delivery Phases
Each step in supply chain logistics comes with different potential risks and challenges, such as:
- First mile challenges: Top hurdles in the first mile phase include coordinating with transportation providers, loading items efficiently, and quality control during initial handling.
- Final mile challenges: In the final mile phase, you may face issues such as selecting the right delivery services, meeting changing customer expectations and navigating unforeseen delays like traffic.
These obstacles will vary depending on your industry and the goods you ship, but almost all businesses deal with most of them. Investing in strategic approaches to manage and mitigate them is necessary. These techniques can take various forms, but examples include implementing a warehouse management system, optimizing routes using real-time data, and offering more than one delivery option.
Choosing the Right Logistics Provider
Partnering with a professional logistics company can help you address potential challenges to build a streamlined, cost-effective supply chain. The right partner will be highly experienced in supply chain logistics, offering solutions and services that help you master each stage. As you look for a qualified partner for your business, ask the following questions:
- What is your experience and reputation in the logistics industry?
- What industries do you serve?
- What is your geographic coverage?
- Can you handle our current and future needs and expansion plans?
- How do you approach unexpected delays, damages or losses?
- What is your customer service process? Who would be our main point of contact?
- How would you help us select logistics services that align with our business?
- Do you have testimonials from clients you’ve worked with in our industry?
- How do you approach communication and tracking? What technologies do you use?
- Do you offer services beyond transportation that would support our operations?
Ultimately, the best partner for your business will be able to listen to and accommodate your needs, providing reliable, comprehensive logistics and support along the way.
Contact Corrigan Logistics for Quality Logistics Services
At Corrigan Logistics, we understand how critical it is to work with the right logistics company. With nearly 100 years in the logistics industry, we have the expertise to assist your team throughout the delivery process and beyond. In addition to different personalized transportation services, we offer warehousing, white glove services, freight forwarding and more.
Selecting a logistics partner is a complex decision, but our knowledgeable team is here to help. Together, we will assess your business goals to determine the best solutions for your supply chain. See how we have done the same for companies across the United States and worldwide by reading our testimonials.
With Corrigan Logistics, you can rest assured that your supply chain is in expert hands. Would you like to learn more about partnering with us? Contact us today for more information.
