Winter is a tricky season for logistics and supply chain management. It’s not just the busiest time of year; it’s also when things are most likely to go sideways.
Remember December 2022? Over 10 million packages missed their Christmas Eve delivery, thanks to a mix of bad weather and packed shipping networks.
The truth is no one can predict anything. There’s no crystal ball for winter storms or sudden capacity crunches. But there are ways to stay ahead.
Smart logistics and supply chain management come down to preparation. Think of accurate weather forecasts, solid capacity planning, and a bit of resilience built into your processes.
Winter challenges aren’t going away, but businesses that plan well can minimize disruptions and keep things moving, even when the snow piles up.
It’s all about staying flexible and being ready for whatever winter throws your way.
How Does Winter Affect the Supply Chain Process?
Winter has a way of testing every link in the supply chain process.
From icy roads delaying shipments to unpredictable weather disrupting schedules, it’s a season full of challenges.
Freezing temperatures can also affect storage conditions, while high demand during the holidays adds extra pressure.
These disruptions can ripple through the supply chain process, making planning and flexibility more important than ever.
1. Winter Slows Down Supply Chains
Winter is notorious for slowing down logistics and supply chain management.
High shipping volumes, paired with limited capacity, often leave shipments stuck waiting for a truck or plane to move them.
Add in the holiday season, with businesses shutting down for days at a time, and you’ve got a recipe for backlogs and delays.
And then there’s the weather. Snowstorms, icy roads, and freezing conditions can disrupt the entire supply chain.
Trucks crawl at a snail’s pace, warehouses struggle to move trailers efficiently, and airport or highway closures can bring everything to a grinding halt.
In December alone, shutdowns like the one in Texas left shipments stranded, highlighting just how critical supply chain visibility becomes in these situations.
Winter might be challenging, but understanding these pain points is the first step to keeping things on track.
2. Moving Goods is Costly in Winter
Winter often drives up the cost of moving goods. High volumes during the season mean limited capacity, leading to increased spot rates.
While 2022 saw less strain on capacity, most winters bring a spike in transportation rates.
Rising diesel prices also add to the challenge. For example, in late December 2022, oil inventories dropped, and crude oil prices began climbing, pushing fuel costs higher.
Combined with peak volumes extending beyond the holiday season into January’s Lunar New Year rush, transportation costs can soar.
This is where supply chain visibility becomes crucial. With better insights, businesses can navigate these challenges, manage costs, and plan more effectively during winter’s demanding months.
3. Winter Holidays Bring Volume and Delays
Often, the most detrimental supply chain disruptions that occur during the winter are due to a combination of increased volume and weather-related delays.
Peak volume brings about its own set of issues, including:
- Warehousing space shortages
- Decreased trucking volume
- Longer lead times from suppliers; they’re busy, too!
When you add in delays due to icy or snowy weather, it can seem impossible to maintain resiliency during the winter.
5 Tips for Winter Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Winter has a way of making logistics and supply chain management more complicated than usual.
Between the holiday rush, unpredictable weather, and tighter capacity, keeping things on track can be a real challenge.
Snowstorms, icy roads, and warehouse delays can slow everything down, and without the right preparation, it’s easy for operations to get disrupted.
But winter doesn’t have to mean chaos. With a little planning and a few smart strategies, you can manage the season’s challenges and keep things running smoothly.
Here are five tips to help you tackle winter logistics easily.
Tip #1: Keep an Eye on the Weather Forecast
We can’t control the weather, but we can prepare for it. Keep an eye on the long-range forecast during the harsh winter months. Use that information to prepare.
Keep in mind that it’s safer to air on the side of caution when you’re adjusting plans due to winter weather.
While meteorology has come a long way in the past several decades, weather predictions are still notoriously inaccurate, especially when you’re looking at weather more than a week out in a small geographical area.
Tip #2: Plan Ahead
Planning ahead can save you from major headaches during winter. Here are some simple ways to stay ahead:
- Stock Up Early: Increase inventory for the season by ordering earlier or placing larger orders to avoid disruptions caused by supplier closures or weather delays.
- Prioritize Early Deliveries: For e-commerce or retail, get shipments to retailers early and consider paying drivers for layovers to ensure delivery on-time.
- Build in Extra Time: If offering a “Guaranteed Delivery by Christmas” promise, add an extra day to account for potential delays and keep customers happy.
At Newl, we understand the importance of planning ahead and offer solutions to ensure your logistics run smoothly all winter long
Tip #3: Keep Your Freight Protected
Winter weather can be tough on freight, especially for goods that don’t handle the cold well.
Freezing temperatures and icy conditions can cause serious damage if you’re not prepared.
Whether it’s ensuring your cargo stays at the right temperature or safeguarding against potential risks on the road, taking extra precautions during winter is essential.
Here’s how to protect your freight and keep your shipments safe this season:
- Choose Temperature-Controlled Shipping: Sensitive goods require extra care in freezing conditions, so opt for temperature-controlled methods to prevent damage.
- Review Insurance Policies: Winter is a great time to double-check your insurance coverage and carefully examine the policies of your carriers and brokers.
- Stay Prepared for Weather Risks: With increased risks of accidents during winter storms, ensure your freight is well-protected and your shipping methods are reliable.
At Newl, we prioritize protecting your freight in any season, offering solutions to keep your cargo safe and sound, no matter the weather.
Tip #4: Create Contingencies
Winter is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned. That’s why it’s important to have a solid supply chain strategy with backup options ready to go.
Whether it’s delays due to weather or last-minute capacity issues, being prepared can help you keep operations on track.
Here are a few ways to create effective contingencies:
- Expand Your Carrier Network: Build relationships with multiple carriers to ensure you have enough capacity during peak times.
- Diversify Shipping Methods: Include regional or local carriers and consider Newl’s air freight to handle disruptions caused by winter conditions.
- Prepare Your Warehouse: Stock up on supplies like ice melt and make sure your facility is equipped to handle severe weather.
Having a reliable supply chain strategy with contingency plans ensures you’re ready to tackle winter’s challenges without unnecessary delays.
Tip #5: Lean on Experts When It Makes Sense
Winter brings extra challenges to transportation and logistics, from finding capacity to managing rising costs.
The cold months, combined with peak-season demand, can make navigating the supply chain feel overwhelming. But the good news is, you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re struggling to keep up, here’s how experts and 3PLs like Newl can help:
- Capacity Solutions: Access additional resources to handle peak-season volume and avoid bottlenecks.
- Cost Management: Keep transportation and logistics costs under control with optimized strategies.
- Expert Support: Leverage the experience of logistics providers to handle increased seasonal demands seamlessly.
Newl and other reliable partners specialize in keeping supply chains moving, even during winter’s toughest challenges.
Winter Supply Chain Management with Newl
Winter can challenge even the most efficient supply chains, but with the right strategies, you can keep things moving. That’s where Newl comes in.
As a 3PL provider, we specialize in helping businesses navigate winter logistics with ease.
From handling increased capacity demands to ensuring seamless operations, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what Newl offers to help your business thrive during the winter months:
1. Flexible Capacity Solutions
Gain access to our extensive network of carriers and resources, ensuring you have the capacity to meet peak-season demand without delays or disruptions.
Whether it’s trucking, air freight, or ocean freight, we provide reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
2. Comprehensive Warehouse Services
Our 3PL warehousing capabilities include e-commerce order fulfillment, inventory management, and reverse logistics.
We ensure your goods are stored, picked, packed, and shipped efficiently, even during the busiest time of the year.
4. Tailored Supply Chain Strategies
Every business has unique needs, especially in winter.
We work closely with you to create customized strategies, from route optimization to contingency planning, so your supply chain remains resilient and adaptable, no matter the weather.
Let Newl be your partner in overcoming winter logistics challenges. Contact us today to learn how we can help simplify your operations this season and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Winter may bring unpredictable challenges, but preparation is key to staying ahead.
Focus on building resilience with smart strategies like stocking up early, optimizing your routes, and leveraging accurate forecasts.
Collaborating with trusted partners and investing in adaptable processes can help you minimize disruptions, protect your bottom line, and keep your supply chain running smoothly all season long.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What steps can I take to reduce the impact of unexpected winter weather?
To minimize disruptions caused by winter weather, start by incorporating flexibility into your supply chain.
This includes securing backup carriers, identifying alternative transportation routes, and maintaining open communication with suppliers and customers about potential delays.
Investing in tools for real-time updates, like supply chain visibility software, can also help you respond quickly to unexpected changes in weather or capacity.
2. How does winter weather affect last-mile delivery?
Winter weather can significantly impact last-mile delivery by causing delays due to icy roads, heavy snowfall, or even closed routes. These challenges are especially common in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
Businesses can mitigate these risks by working with localized delivery providers who understand the terrain, planning routes with real-time data, and offering flexible delivery windows to keep customer satisfaction high despite potential delays.
3. Does Newl provide support for international shipments during winter?
Yes, Newl specializes in managing international logistics, even during the challenging winter months.
Our air and ocean freight services are designed to handle the complexities of cross-border shipping, ensuring your goods reach their destination on time.
From navigating port delays to offering real-time updates on your shipments, Newl ensures smooth international operations while addressing the unique challenges that winter weather can bring.