If you’ve spent any amount of time in the warehouse industry, you know how many outbound parcels and packages leave your facility every day. Keeping these packages secure and sending them properly is paramount for any business to prevent losses and make sure your customers get their items safely, whether you sell B2B or B2C.

Proper package delivery starts with keeping your items secure. All the safe packing tips in the world aren’t going to be much help if your items get broken before they can even leave the facility. Make sure to keep enough industrial storage, pallet racks, wire shelving, and more to keep your inventory free from damage and safely stored before it has to leave the facility. Keeping your staff well-trained on handling procedures and inventory picking methods is also crucial to prevent mishandling of objects – it’s one thing when your logistics company breaks an item, but it’s another thing altogether if an item is broken by your employees who weren’t properly trained on correct handling methods.

Further damage can be prevented by investing in good packaging. Bubble wrap and thin cardboard might come in handy for smaller goods, but it won’t ship everything, and while good packaging might be an investment it will pay off in the long run when you have fewer lost/returned goods to deal with. Purchase additional materials to safely secure packages (air padding, packing peanuts, etc) and make sure to invest in sturdier cardboard and packing material (remember to spring for wooden crates in extreme circumstances).

We mentioned it earlier, but it is absolutely crucial to make sure your employees are properly trained on handling and packaging procedures. Design a standardized method of assembling packages, picking items, and locating stock and make sure your employees are regularly trained and updated on best practices and company policies. Don’t be afraid to revise them either – if new items require new packaging materials and procedures, get the team together and make sure everyone is trained and up to speed with these methods.

Finally, try to have a good relationship with your logistics provider. If you have a shipping company you’ve worked with for a while and have a good working history with, stick with them and work with them to solve issues. Dancing between different shipping companies may cause more organizational problems and communication issues than the perceived cost savings are worth, and having a more open relationship with your logistics company will help you more easily resolve any issues that arise.

With these tips in mind, your continued shipments over the holidays will hopefully arrive on time and more safely than they might have otherwise. Trust us, this time of year, you’ll be grateful to not deal with returns on top of everything else.