We can all breathe a sigh of relief as Brexit has been delayed once more, giving us more time to figure out exactly how to handle each potential outcome. A deal, no deal, a bad deal, all of these require us to make some serious preparations; both fo our businesses and our customers. The main thing to remember here is communication. If we don’t keep our customers in the loop, they are going to be just as stressed as we are. Think of this quick guide as a 101 in Brexit preparation; logistics style.
Keep Warehousing and Freight Customers Updated
Social media silence is a curse. As you discover more about how the future may play out, you need to ensure that your customers receive that information quickly. Post it on social media, send email alerts out, and ensure that everything is listed clearly for them so that they understand the situation. A lot of things are going to change if we leave Europe, and they are going to affect both you and the people that use your services. Let’s take a look at these changes in more detail, and how your customers will be impacted.
Haulage Prices Will Change
There are no ifs and buts here, there will be price changes, and not in the way you want them. The most likely scenario is that they are going to increase. If you have routes in other European countries, you can expect serious delays in terms of transportation, as well as delays in cash flow.
If you have goods that are being shipped in from Europe, you can also expect customs charges to be implemented, as well as a potential increase in your costs for the goods in question. As a result, your customers are also likely to experience an increased charge so that you are still making a healthy profit. They will need to be informed of this in advance, as well as the rough amount you expect services to increase by. This gives them time to prepare.
Stockpile: It’s Worth It
If we leave the EU, there will be shortages. It has already been confirmed that food and medicines will suffer from this, but there are plenty of other products that are going to be delayed as a result. If your suppliers are in Europe, you are highly likely to suffer from the expected shortages. The solution? Start stockpiling.
If your goods are on-perishable and made to last, buying or hiring another warehouse is the best solution. Many retailers have already started this process in anticipation, and it’s not a scare tactic either. Pallet storage rates have been increasing on a massive scale, and it’s all because companies know that Brexit will hit us all hard. To keep your customers happy and ensure they don’t go without, you need to pool your resources and do your best to stock up on as many products as possible.
Plan Your Routes
Transportation is going to be impacted by Brexit as well, and many vehicles could suffer delays spanning days; no exaggeration. Therefore, you need to be prepared. This could mean investing in extra refrigeration for specific goods, as well as informing customers that there may be a delay in supply because of the new border laws that will be enforced.
Additionally, you should lay out all of your routes clearly before Brexit so that you can see where each of your vehicles is travelling. Are you able to change any of the routes? Can you add new ones within the UK to pick up the inevitable slack? If you have a good idea of what needs to be changed and planned for, your chances of success are increased. After all, if you fail to plan you plan to fail.
To Conclude
Brexit is going to be hard to get through, especially when things are balancing out in the beginning. Logistics companies are sure to suffer, but you can lessen that impact by preparing in advance and keeping your customers in the loop. Connecting with them is exceptionally important if you want your company to stay afloat during all of these massive changes. Your levels of customer retention post-Brexit will be much higher if they know what to expect.
Leave a Reply