Container devanning: what it means and why you need it
Container devanning is an essential part of the supply chain that gets your goods to your customers' doors. Discover what it means and why you need it.
In the world of international shipping, devanning is a key part of the supply chain that gets goods to your customers' doors. The 2020s have been a decade of supply chain disruption. It reminds us that the chain is only as strong as each of its links.
Devanning is a critical stage of the journey. It involves removing cargo from a sealed container that's been transported by sea, road or rail.
While this might seem like a job you'd give the work experience kid, it's actually labour-intensive and requires expertise. Done badly, you've got damaged goods and disappointed customers on your hands.
When choosing a fulfilment partner, you should make sure that the devanning process will be handled by experts. Otherwise, you can't be confident that your goods are ready for the next stage of their journey.
What is devanning?
Devanning involves unloading containers and storing the contents. Warehouse staff will use forklifts, cranes and their hands to achieve this.
While "devanning" is the official term, you'll also hear it referred to as "stripping", "unstuffing" and "unpacking".
What are the stages of devanning?
Let's say a company is exporting goods to the UK. The goods will arrive in containers at the port where they're collected by the logistics company. They're loaded onto trucks and delivered to the warehouse. Every step of the journey needs to be safe – and road transportation is no exception.
The location of the warehouse is also important. It needs to be close to a port but also well-placed for onward distribution.
Once they've arrived at the warehouse, the containers are devanned. They're unloaded, checked for damage or contamination and stored or discarded accordingly.
It's an important part of the process. If mistakes are made, mix-ups can happen. Your customers could get their deliveries late or not at all. This is one of the main reasons why a solid devanning service is so important.
But it's not just about unloading and storing. The logistics company will also use their warehouse management system (WMS) to make sure the goods are stored correctly.
Every good third-party logistics firm (3PL) has a good WMS. And every good WMS offers total visibility into the warehouse inventory. It points the devanning team in the right direction so nothing gets misplaced or jumbled up.
These days, warehouse management systems are cloud-based, meaning that the client can track their cargo from afar. This offers peace of mind at this critical stage of the journey.
Once the goods have been stored and sorted, they're ready for dispatch.
Why do you need devanning?
The more legs a journey has, the more opportunity there is for things to go wrong – something that anyone who's travelled abroad will testify to.
When goods are involved, it's especially important to be confident that each stage of the journey is handled with care. Devanning at an intermediary warehouse means that you, the importer, know that your goods are present and correct.
Once upon a time, you would have to take the warehouse's word for it that all your goods were in order – or rely on photos. Now, you can use the WMS software to see your inventory in detail. It's the import equivalent of checking that everything's OK at home through a smart home phone app.
This increased visibility is good for everyone: the importer, the logistics partner and the customer. It reduces the chance of mixed signals which used to be so common in long-distance exports.
Devanning plays a vital part in the distribution of goods. Once unpacked, your goods can be sorted, ready for the next stage of their journey. Your customers won't realise, but they will appreciate the efficiency with which they receive their products.
Finally, devanning plays an important part in quality control. A trained team can spot any damage or defects as they strip the container. Again, your customers won't be raising a toast to your devanning team, but they will benefit from receiving only high-quality goods. It's one way to reduce the frequency of returns and complaints.
What should you look for in a devanning service provider?
If you don't have the staff or expertise to do your own devanning, it can be wise to outsource the job. But what should you look for in a provider? In our view, there are five things – and we're pleased to say that here at Stowsafe Fulfilment, we provide them all.
1. A proven track record of success
Devanning takes skill. Make sure you work with a provider with a proven track record of success. Otherwise, you'll end up with damaged goods and incomplete inventories.
2. Expertise
Segueing nicely from the first point, expertise is essential. Devanning requires deep skills relating to the operation of forklifts and other equipment, the use of warehouse management systems and efficient sorting and storage.
3. Flexibility and scalability
Chances are that your cargoes vary in size according to demand – especially if you're running an SME. You need a partner that can accommodate changes in volume. If that's not on the table right from the start, look elsewhere.
4. Compliance
International shipping is a sector that's wrapped in red tape. Is your devanning provider accredited? Do they do things according to industry regulations and safety protocols? If the answer is "no", you could do better.
5. Advanced technology
From one point of view, the WMS is as important as the forklift. Work with a company whose software lets you track your goods with ease.
Conclusion
Devanning is an essential step on your goods' journey from factory to front door. Like all the stages of travel, it needs to be handled carefully and efficiently. Often, it's best to outsource the job so you can focus on core competencies, safe in the knowledge that the process is running smoothly.
Here at Stowsafe Fulfilment, we offer container devanning along with a raft of
eCommerce fulfilment services. Based in the southwest of England, we have a spacious, well-situated, state-of-the-art warehouse where we strip containers for breakfast. Looking for a partner?
Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
