How OLIMP Vets Warehouses for Our Network
At OLIMP, it is our mission to connect shippers, carriers, freight brokers, retailers, manufacturers, and more with reputable warehouses that provide a range of warehousing services. Our online platform gives you access to thousands of warehouses across North America to efficiently book on-demand warehousing services when and where you need them. With our platform, you can quickly search for and book warehousing, and compare prices, which saves you time and money and keeps your fleet moving.
In order for us to fulfill our mission of connecting you with reputable, on-demand warehousing services, it is important for us to properly vet the warehouses in our network. We understand the impact that quality, dependable warehousing services can have on your supply chain efficiency and bottom line. By carefully vetting the warehouses in our network, we can help ensure that you get the best possible warehousing services to boost your supply chain efficiency, save time and money, and even reduce your carbon footprint by limiting truck idle time and unnecessary mileage.
Vetting Process for Warehouses in OLIMP’s Network
It is very important to us to include dependable warehouses in our network so those who use our platform can expect efficient, quality services. The vetting process is done over the phone or by email with our warehouse team. We add new warehouses to our network every day and currently boast more than 5,000 warehouses in our network across North America.
We always verify the following to vet warehouses before they can become part of the OLIMP network.
Physical Address
One of our goals is to have an extensive network that allows shippers to find warehousing services anywhere they are in North America. We verify the physical address of every warehouse in our network so that those who use our platform can search and find them by location. This makes it easier for shippers to find warehousing services no matter where they find themselves.
Features of the Warehouse
As part of the vetting process, we verify the features of the warehouse to better understand how they can help shippers as well as the volume of incoming loads they can handle. The following are the features we verify:
- Square footage available: We verify the square footage of every warehouse in our network to get a more accurate idea of their capacity for storage and other warehousing services.
- Hours of operation: We understand that shippers and carriers may need warehousing services at any time of the day and on any day of the year. We confirm the hours of operation for each of the warehouses in our network, including if they offer “after hours” services after 5pm or on weekends and holidays.
- Number of dock doors and ramps: It is important for us to know how many dock doors and ramps each warehouse has so we can determine the number of trucks they can handle at a given time.
- Airport access: Shippers and carriers may need the help of warehouses for transloading and drayage to move freight between modes of transportation. Warehouses that have airport access can provide efficient transloading and drayage services for shippers dropping off loads to transfer to air transport as well as shippers picking up loads delivered by plane.
- Security features: The security of a warehouse is important as shippers want to know that their freight will be safe while in storage. We verify the security features of the warehouses in our network, including onsite security, surveillance cameras, and sprinkler systems to help protect against fire damage.
- Type of equipment: We verify the equipment avalaible at each warehouse, including slip sheet forklifts, clamp truck forklifts, and cranes, so we can better match shippers with a warehouse that has the equipment to meet their needs.
Storage Environments
One of the most common services shippers and carriers seek out from warehouses is long-term and short-term storage. However, shippers may need specialized storage options that follow certain requirements. We verify the type of storage environments offered by the warehouses in our network, including the following:
- Cold and frozen storage: It is important for temperature sensitive freight to be stored in the proper environment to prevent spoilage or damage. We make sure that warehouses can provide the right environment for cold and frozen storage.
- Hazmat storage: Hazardous materials must be stored according to standard protocols to ensure safe storage. We will verify if warehouses are able to safely store hazardous materials as well as what hazmat classes they can store.
- Food-grade storage: Food items and other consumables must be stored in sanitary conditions. We will verify if warehouses can provide food-grade storage.
- Bonded storage: Imported goods are subject to duties that must be paid when these goods reach the U.S. Bonded warehouses allow for the storage and handling of imported goods without requiring duty payment. We make sure that warehouses in our network are properly bonded to provide duty-free storage.
Certifications
There are many certifications that warehouses may hold that validate their expertise in certain areas. As part of our vetting process, we verify the following types of certifications for the warehouses in our network:
- Certificate of insurance: All warehouses in our network must have a Certificate of Insurance on file with us for your protection.
- Food-grade certification: Warehouses with food-grade certification have the capability to handle and store food-grade products.
- Organic certification: Warehouses with organic certification handle organic food products in accordance with the strict guidelines of certifying bodies such as the USDA National Organic Program.
- Medical certification: Medical certification allows warehouses to safely store and handle medical equipment and supplies in adherence with the standards of certifying bodies such as the FDA.
- Foreign trade zone: Warehouses in Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) can store, and ship imported goods without paying import fees or duties.
- TSA certification: Warehouses with TSA certification follow strict guidelines of the TSA to handle and process air cargo shipments and transfer shipments from road to air transport.
- Military certification: Military certification allows warehouses to receive and handle supplies and equipment for the military.
- Bonded certification: A warehouse with bonded certification can store and handle imported goods without being required to pay duties.
- Alcohol certification: Alcohol certification allows warehouses to store and transport alcohol products.
Find Dependable On-Demand Warehousing with OLIMP
At OLIMP, we are committed to connecting carriers, shippers, retailers, and freight brokers and forwarders with dependable, on-demand warehousing anywhere they need it throughout North America. Our thorough vetting process helps ensure that warehouses in our network are properly certified and equipped to provide a range of services to handle the diverse needs of shippers and carriers for more efficient and cost-effective logistics.
To get started with OLIMP, create a profile on our online platform and submit a Request for Quote form to specify your warehousing needs and quickly find a solution from our network of trusted, thoroughly vetted warehouses.
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