4 Key Factors in Food & Beverage Distribution with Birkby Food Service

Food & beverage logistics are often the biggest challenges for owners and producers today. Today, most people know that effective supply chain management will keep your products safe, ensure efficient fulfillment and distribution, and allow you to grow your customer base. However, if you’re new to the world of logistics, it can be challenging to know where to begin!

To help get you started, you’ll find four key factors in food and beverage distribution below. Additionally, you’ll learn about how Birkby Food Service’s 3PL solutions provide an effective supply chain to drive revenue and business growth.

1. Line Haul & Transportation

In logistics, “line haul” refers to the transport of a wide variety of goods between two specified locations. In the food and beverage industry, this typically refers to transporting product from the manufacturing facility to warehousing and distribution centres. Having an efficient line haul network can save your business on transportation costs, while an unreliable provider will end up costing you both time and money.

Birkby offers a wide range of transportation solutions for our customers. With cross-docking, full container load, less than container load, less than truckload and truckload transportation available, Birkby Food Service provides complete, flexible line haul and transportation services to get your products where they need to be.

2. Warehousing

Proper storage and warehousing are critical for food and beverage products. Breaking the cold chain can result in spoiled products, shrinkage, and even worse consequences for both your business and its customers. On the other hand, a reliable storage provider can give you peace of mind knowing that your products will be looked after until they reach your customer.

With multiple warehouses and fulfillment centres across Western Canada, Birkby’s warehousing and storage solutions are ready for your business. Our facilities maintain ambient, refrigerated, and frozen (down to -28ºC) temperatures suitable for any storage requirements, ensuring consistency and regulatory compliance throughout the supply chain. Combined with real-time inventory management and reporting powered by Routeique, we offer complete, scalable inventory solutions for operations of all sizes and scopes.

3. The Last Mile

The Last Mile before your product hits the shelves (either in-store or directly to your customer’s home) will have a significant effect on any food producer’s bottom line. Ensuring your products reach your market on time and in good condition is vital, but unnecessary costs and inefficient practices can hold your business back from reaching its full potential.

Since 1918, Birkby has built its reputation on exceptional food distribution to markets across Western Canada. Today, we proudly offer state-of-the-art Last Mile solutions to get your food products where they need to be. Real-time tracking and route optimization powered by Routeique ensure timely deliveries and low costs across Western Canada. Best of all, our robust fulfillment systems are ready to scale alongside your business growth, allowing you to focus on delighting your customers.

4. Brand & Merchandising

While your supply chain is important, there are countless other factors determining your brand’s success in the marketplace. Strong branding, merchandising, and marketing practices all play a part in making your product a success; for many owners and operators, it can be challenging to give every aspect of your business the attention it deserves.

In addition to traditional 3PL services, Birkby goes above and beyond to help our customers succeed in the marketplace. We can assist with branded packaging, unique labels, and other marketing and merchandising assets for a truly unique delivery experience.

Complete Logistics Solutions with Birkby

In the highly competitive food & beverage industry, every business needs partners that can adapt, innovate, and grow alongside them. Relying on multiple providers for your supply chain can lead to miscommunication, bottlenecks, and barriers between you and your business’s full potential.

Birkby proudly offers turnkey 3PL solutions to support every part of your supply chain. Our lean operational principles and data-driven mindset allow us to meet our clients’ needs today while setting the stage for tomorrow’s success.

Our complete 3PL services include:

Ambient and temperature-controlled (down to -28ºC) warehousing and storage solutions.
Seamless integration with all major eCommerce platforms.
End-to-end inventory insights down to the Last Mile, powered by Routeique.
Branded packaging, labels, and marketing for one-of-a-kind delivery experiences.
Fulfillment and service support teams dedicated to keeping you and your customers happy from start to finish.

Is your food & beverage business looking for additional services or support? Ask us! Our experienced team of specialists is ready to help our clients find solutions to every challenge, ensuring your logistics is always ready to support future growth.