4 ways to reduce load restraint spend in big & small fleets

2 Aug Blog

1. Custom brand your equipment. This can be done via a couple of methods.

• Brand your load angles and ratchet straps etc, using a stencil or ordering them with branding permanently on the equipment.
• Paint parts of your equipment a signature colour. Hooks, handles etc.

2. Have a designated location in the warehouse where your equipment is stored. e., Stillages.        Through this you can always see what your equipment levels are, preventing unnecessary purchases. The by-product of this is a tidier more efficient warehouse where you can move freight through quicker.

3. This is probably controversial to some of the old schoolers: Share your load restraint costs with your drivers and operators and incentivise them by giving them a portion of any savings you make through them managing and not losing the equipment. This is a dual saving, firstly direct costs, and secondly reduced time spent on administrational purchasing tasks. This way you start helping your team to think like an owner.

4. Buy in bulk but remember not to buy equipment you don’t need. When buying in bulk your suppliers usually can offer better prices. Use an order card or order trigger to notify your purchasing officer or ops manager to order more stock before you run out but remember, don’t order too early. There’s no point tying cash up in equipment when it could be making you money.